I'm off to Helsinki with the boys for the Baltic Plate 10s Rugby Tournament this weekend.
Any tips from people who've been?
A city of the sea, Helsinki was built along a series of odd-shape peninsulas and islands jutting into the Baltic coast along the Gulf of Finland.
Streets and avenues curve around bays, bridges reach to nearby islands, and ferries ply among offshore islands.
Having grown dramatically since World War II, Helsinki now absorbs over one-tenth of the Finnish population and the metropolitan area covers a total
of 764 square km (474 square mi) and 315 islands. Most sights, hotels, and restaurants cluster on one peninsula, forming a compact central hub. The
greater Helsinki metropolitan area, which includes Espoo and Vantaa, has a total population of more than a million people.
How about creating a poll ?
[Edited on 25/9/07 by millemg]
take your own beer
The locals hate it 
"Tramline 3 smells of pee"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATXV3DzKv68
[Edited on 25/9/07 by millemg]
cross the road at designated crossings and only when the lights say so - you get fined otherwise but there are very few policemen about.
Reindeer and mash is very good. (yes, really!)
Take a coat....
say
"kip-pis" instead of cheers,
"K-ee-t-os" instead of thank you
"moy" instead of hello
"moy moy" instead of bye
(these are my attempts at phonetic spelling)
try to only talk to people under 30 - 35, they then very likely to speak english better than you. Older people won't speak english.
Drink in bars is expensive, and don't complain when you think you've got a half measure when you order a pint style drink. The gov. in an
attempt to reduce alcoholism reduced the size of the measures. If you want booze, go to a supermarket (big one) or a dedicated off license and you can
get it at a reasonable price. They can only serve booze at certain times. Also don't destroy the bottles, they get the money back on them.
Try Salmiakki (drink like sambucca), try once the 'tar' drink (can't remember the name, its awful!)
The food is pretty good, basically meat and veg type stuff.
Just relax and talk to people, every Fin i've met has been very friendly. If you go to bars, talk English when queuing and people will talk to
you - well thats what i found, might have had something to do with the fact my finnish friends are stunning blondes
quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
"moy" instead of hello
"moy moy" instead of bye
No, I haven't played rugby since forced to at school. Hated it.
I was taught Moi moi when i took Finnish lessons. Thinking about it, everyone seemed to do hei & hei hei when i was last there.
Trying to remember, "you have beautiful blue eyes, can i have your phone number" - yes i did get taught that in class, it was part of the
course work!!!!!