Hi everybody!

It's Friday night meanwhile, the days become steadily shorter and I am just returning from an "all-you-can-eat"-pizza shop, utterly filled up. Also: exhausted and sad since Lydia who had been visiting me over the last two weeks up here in Oulu has been taken the train south this morning - and it's a rather odd feeling being alone again. However, tonite is also the start of a one week's Study Trip: I am again going to see Helsinki, but this time with the other exchange students and within the Scandinavian Studies Programme. Plus we'll make it to Stockholm and Turku over the following days - being back again on Wednesday night, October 14.

Lydia, Vanessa, Charles and I had been travelling south already last weekend; on our way we've seen Tampere, Kuopio, Helsinki and - eventually Tallinn by ferry. Estonia's capital had been the most beautiful experience for me, personally - even though Kuopio also had been quite spectacular, in particular considering the great views from the watch tower, overlooking the city and the surrouding lakes, islands and forests.
We've seen Tampere only at night, but it seems to be worth another visit at daylight somewhen. In Helsinki we've again been couchsurfing, even in the same neighbourhood, in Kallio. This time, however, we got bad luck with the weather since it was steadily raining. We nevertheless headed through the city, cheering it all up with some up-mood sing-sang, thank you, Ly! :D
So well, simply see for yourself! The extended picture-galleries are online on facebook, simply click the photos further down.



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PICTURES: KUOPIO, 'Capital of the Lakeland' (41 photos)


The four of us standing in Kuopi's railway station.


On the mrket square.


Lydia on the watchtower.


Magnificient view outside: the tower's shade!


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PICTURES: HELSINKI (53 photos).


Charles holding a Berlinian icon in his hands... how I miss you, beloved energy drink! Club Mate is about three times as expensive up here, by the way!


The flags of the E.U., Finland and Estonia in West Harbour.


Ly and Charles relaxing next to a Helsinki cemetary.


Lighthouse as seen from the ferry towards Estonia.
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PICTURES: TALLINN, ESTONIA (87 photos).




Tallinn's harbour.




Market square.


Old Town overview.




Ly and Charles inside the watch tower.


Getting to know a Finn while playing the NOTORIOUS dice game, on the ferry towards Helsinki.


I can't recall one of us guys winning... however, big fun XD




The three blacksmiths - Helsinki's famous meeting point in the pedestrian precinct.