Danke Schoen

"Danke Schoen, Oh Darling, Danke Schoen.
I said, Thank you for seeing me again.
Though we go- on our separate ways,
Still the memory stays, for always, my heart says, Danke Schoen.

Danke Schoen, Auf Wiedersehen, Danke Schoen."
- Wayne Newton









We just returned from a long weekend trip to Germany. The mini-vacation was planned back in March when a budget airlines ran a special...9 Euros there and 5 Euros return. Who can resist cheap fares like that? We picked Bonn to be our headquarters and booked a hotel there for the 3 nights. Over looking the Rhine and a block away from the city centre, it was the perfect location and not to mention the indoor pool we had to visit each evening with the boys.







We feasted on bratwurst and sauerkraut, drank plenty of hefeweizen beer, and stopped by the local Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. Our second day we took the train north to Cologne. Daddy toured the Dom for his first time and climbed the stairs to the top of the south tower while I sat back and ate ice cream with the boys. We then rode the miniature train that scuttles through old town and by the chocolate factory. On the third day we spent our morning in Aachen, located near the Belgium border. Known as the main seat of Charlemagne's court, the city also houses the Great Aachen Relics (allegedly the swaddling clothes and loin cloth of Christ, the gown of the Virgin and the garb of St John the Baptist).






In between all our side trips, we walked the streets of Bonn. It is a beautiful city and widely known as the birthplace of Ludwig Van Beethoven. Even though the overcast, cool weather was not in our favor, we were only rained on once for 10 minutes. The small shower quickly ended and departed us with a beautiful rainbow over the Rhine.

Supermonstars

"Kick up a row.
We're the Supermonstars.
We chant the anthem of the Phantoms.
Deal out the blows.
Like a Supermonstar.
We are humble to none,"
- Lordi





Okay, not my choice of music or a group I would ever want to see in concert...but I cannot live in Finland during this time and not talk about Eurovision or Lordi. Since 1956, members of the European Broadcasting Union have been participating annually. This international song contest begins as each country chooses a new singer/band and a specific song. This song is then submitted and performed live in a television programme transmitted across the Eurovision Network simultaneously to all countries. The programme is hosted by one of the participant countries (Helsinki this year), and the transmission is sent from the auditorium in the host city. During this programme, after all the songs have been performed, the countries then proceed to cast votes for the other countries' songs: nations are not allowed to vote for their own song. At the end of the programme, the winner is declared as the song with the most points. The winner receives, simply, the prestige of having won the Eurovision title of that year.


Inspired by KISS, Lordi was officially formed in 1996 and won Eurovision in 2006. They are widely known for their monster costumes and will not appear without them. If filmed without their masks, you will only see the back of their heads. The lead singer was even invited to a huge presidential gala last year but his mask was "not allowed." He opted to stay home then and his wife snuck in through the back door to avoid media. Since they won the 2006 title, Helsinki is hosting Eurovision this week. With the city noted to be spic and span and flags raised on every corner, it should be a crazy weekend here. Events are planned for each evening with the finals being held Saturday. The green, red, purple and orange countries above will be participating in the contest.

Mexico

"Oooh, Mexico!
It sounds so sweet.
With the sun sinkin’ low.
The moon’s so bright.
Likes to light up the night
Make everything alright."
- Jimmy Buffett






We just completed our 8th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! It definitely was our smallest and tamest, but perfect for this day. I did not spend all week running around an unfamiliar city looking for ingredients this year. I knew exactly where to shop and the market even has a larger 'Mexican' section compared to last. The delicious cuisine is slowly but surely traveling north. We feasted on chicken and beef enchiladas, queso, fresh guacamole, and topped everything off with a few Coronas and margaritas.

Weird Science

"Plastic tubes and pots and pans
Bits and pieces and
Magic from the hand
We're makin'...weird science"
- Oingo Boingo






Today we experienced Heureka, the Finnish science center. Targeted towards children of school age, I would suggest it as an outing to any child over age 1. The entire place is designed as "hands on" even if it is pushing a button to see colored lights rather than reading the hidden texts. From driving a car with square wheels to mimicking walking on the moon, the center also offers parabolical mirrors, a Pulfrich Pendulum, tightrope bicycling, a bed of nails to lay on, cubes and logs to build a life size igloo and cabin, and rats that play basketball.







The outside exhibit is just as fascinating, so don't save Heureka for a rainy day. Archimedes screw, a wind machine and idiophones keep little minds occupied. The boys enjoyed walking over the challenging bridges, the human yo-yo, and crawling through Klein´s Bottle.

Top Of The Roller Coaster

"It seems to be saying,
Of coarse there will be fear.
But this is why we stand in line,
Spend that time, make that climb,
To finally feel the other side,
And it's all down hill from here."
- David Wilcox





We are finally at the top of our 'roller coaster,' ready to feel the other side and hoping it is all down hill from here! Today officially marks the 1/2 way point for our odyssey. 13 down...13 to go!


Happy May Day to all and Happy Vappu to everyone in Finland. Today we were able to experience our second Vappu celebration. Things have not changed much from last year. Still a day where all the business are closed, public intoxication is encouraged and public urination is tolerated, balloons are sold for 10 Euros each, and graduates old and new are passed out in the park with their white hats still resting on their head. Rather than picnicking with the crowd of thousands, we played at a deserted neighborhood park and then grabbed an ice cream cone while we strolled through Kaivopuisto just long enough for me to take a few pictures.




The beginning of May also marks a big turning point here in Helsinki. All retail shops have been closed on Sundays since the end of August. They will now open from 12-1800 each Sunday...only until summer comes to end again.