May 13 - Paris to Helsinki!

  We had an early start with a taxi arriving to pick us up at 7:20. As Mark's knee is no better, we arranged for a wheelchair at Charles de Gaulle. We also found that we had to check our bags as they are slightly too big for Finn Air's requirement. This all took a bit of time, but a very nice woman at Finn Air gave her a hand in getting the baggage tags printed etc. 

   All went smoothly. We got through security rather easily, although Mark was thoroughly "wanded" across his body, even his feet. 

   The flight was just under 3 hours and very smooth.

   A wheelchair was waiting in Helsinki and we went to pick up our luggage. People do not have to go through any customs/security which was amazing and like the "old days." Get off the plane, get your luggage and go.

    Fran Kartunnen was waiting for us as she'd arrived shortly before us from Boston via Iceland. Two of her friends had taken the time to take the train to meet her which was really nice. Olle and Hilka - two very nice people. 

     We took the fast, comfortable, quiet train from the airport into the central rail station for the price of 4.2 Euros each, so about $5.00 for a 25 minute ride. From there, Fran walked with us about 600 meters to our flat where a young man was waiting to let us in. The walk was hard on Mark and, of course, we were trailing our luggage.

   

 The flat is lovely -spacious with a nice outside balcony room. The only disappointment was that we had expected a washing machine, but we will either avail ourselves of a washer somewhere in the building, or stick to hand wash.

    Then, Barbara walked with Fran to where she is staying with friends. It was about 1.2 kilometers and took us along the waterfront as well as by the two big churches - one is the Lutheran cathedral and the other is the Russian Orthodox one. So, it was a nice taste of the city.

    Barbara met Fran's friends, Dave and Hanna who have a gorgeous flat on a peninsula. It is a building from the Belle Epoque with a famous, fancy elevator which has leather seats!

   Barbara walked back, using her phone to navigate. Then, we both walked to a nearby grocery store down in the Metro and got fixings for some meals, especially as tomorrow is a big holiday here - Ascension Day, and supposedly a lot will be closed.