Tasty salmon soup for my dinner at KAUPPAHALLI SALUHALL（Hakaniemi Market Hall）

My guidebook says Hakaniemi Market Hall is held until 4 p.m. on Saturday. It was a quarter past 3 p.m. when I arrived there by tram. There was a specific food I was dying to eat. I checked it before leaving the stand offering a salmon soup which looked so good. But I decided to come back to my hotel once to put chocolate bars. It was pretty sunny outside and I wanted to prevent the chocolate from melting.

I rushed into the stand, and said to the clerk, "Can I have a salmon soup!?"  The charming lady said to me in an apologetic manner, "Sorry, it's sold out." 

（O O）！！！！！　Oh, no〜〜〜. 

I missed a chance to taste that tempting salmon soup everybody was enjoying here under the tent. It makes sense. Even if the guidebook says it's open until 4 p.m., each stall gets closed when all food is sold out... So, I came into the indoor market instead.

Salmon is the specialty of Finland. Open sands of this shop looks yummy. But, I really wanted salmon soup...（・・。）

There is a very nice indoor market hall called KAUPPAHALLI SALUHALL next to the outdoor flea market, just across the road from Hakaniemi metro station. It opened in 1914. The shops on the first floor sell foodstuffs.

Look! There is an eating space and they offer salmon soup also!（〃▽〃）Maybe I can eat my early supper here.

Salmon soup is one of the signature dish in Finland. This soup looks more of "watery" than "thick". Though prices in Finland is high, this is an affordable way people dine out. It was a tasty salmon soup with abundant spice (rosemary?).

I should've ordered a glass of champaign as the man clerk recommended? Actually, I didn't because it must be almost the same price as my salmon soup set or more. ww

An eating space is on a passage alongside the shop. It was not bad, I didn't feel like I was eating alone because of it.

There are several cafeterias which make us possible to taste their fresh food.  

Included coffee was available by helping myself to. It was strong one★

After I finished my soup, a waitress came to me to clear my table. I'll never forget her gentle smile. When she took away my soup bowl and tray, she looked into my face with her tender smile, shaking her face a little bit as if she were asking, "May I take your plates?" How sweet it is! I was totally blown away.

I wanted to say bye to them, but the man clerk was talking with other visitors. So, I left. When I walked a few meters away, he said it out loud, "Arigato－－－Sayonara－－－！！！"     I turned around. And said it back out loud, "Thank you－！ Arigato－－－  I will come back here again！"

The man might be an owner. I missed a creamy salmon soup at the stand outside, however, what a wonderful time I experienced at the table inside.  

This is where Finns go to get really good fishes and ecological vegetables.   　 And   －

This is a place that brings back good memories. 

Dear Irene Tomoe Cooper, you are always in my heart.

Dear Irene, my life has changed since I met you. You taught me how I could be more attractive, more feminine while becoming confident. You have made me what I am today. I admire your gorgeousness, intelligence, and strength.

I had a dream to announce my marriage with him to you, earlier than anybody. I even imagined how to say, like, "Irene, I wanted you to be the first to know. Guess what? I will..."

But the dream was not realized. I heard you passed away.  Irene, now you are free from agonizing struggle with cancer.

It has been a tough time for you.  However, I'm sure you did your very best.   Please rest in peace...

I am sorry for the long silence. I felt like I needed to stay away from everything because years passed and my life didn't go the way I wanted. I've just kept hoping you'd stay well. You sent me a line, ”How have you been, Rose? I'm always hoping for your happiness." I replied from the cafe in Michigan with the picture of hamburger, you sent me back with the picture of scone you baked. Since then, time passed again...

That lace dress in red is your favorite, I know. I remember it's a kind of dress you'd never worn and you enjoyed your new style. And my dress I chose and he bought in Michigan became way more special by taking a picture with you. 

Many people are greatly influenced by your teaching methods and you will live on in us. 

My life is going on. Can I talk to you sometimes, like I did until now? Let me report 'how my love life is going' to you. 

I feel you close.  Dear Irene, you are always in my heart.

A lot of love, Rose

A pistachio roll for lunch & brilliant Helsinki Cathedral

Having a short rest at the hotel St.GEORGE. 

A pistachio roll with sliced almonds on top became my lunch today. It is a bread from Eromanga at Hakaniemen Kauppahalli (Hakaniemi Market Hall). It was a little sweet, and a mild taste. I admired the subtle green color layered into the dough.

The one of impressive vivid red is "KOFF", a popular beer in Finland. It is smooth, like...goes with everything! 

I stepped out of the hotel and hung around Esplanadin Puisto (Esplanadi Park). The yellow cute shop is called Kauniste and sells charming daily goods. I didn't buy anything, but enjoyed looking around.

One of the nice things in Helsinki is people can wear whatever they want, like, elegant dresses, too. Sometimes, we should wear jeans or T-shirts properly as tourists so we don't stand out from the rest of the crowd. However, I don't have to worry about it here in Helsinki since people are dressed as they wish. 

I love it!  Everyone do their own thing.

Helsingin Tuomiokirkko (Helsinki Cathedral)

The contrast between chalky outer walls and green domes is magnificent. 

Helsinki Cathedral is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral of Helsinki, located in the center of Helsinki, Finland. 

In the dazzling light, I look up at the Cathedral.  The chalk was shining way more brilliantly. 

dogwoods & fancy lunch dish to go

I have been feverish since this Friday night, so stay at home and just lie down on the bed most of my time this weekend. Sunday evening, I still feel under the weather. So I'll go to bed again.

Cherry blossoms are falling down gradually and we see dogwoods lately. Dog? Not sure why it's called dogwood, though. It's interesting. I found a nice cafe a young couple manages on the first floor at their house. The pictures were taken on the day I was taking a walk to the place for to go. 

It takes about 22 min. on foot from my apartment one way and it's a good walking exercise at the same time. 

Blessed Sunday to you... Rose.

Fun shopping at S-Market & hanging around Hakaniemi Market Hall

It's always fun to see what kinds of things there are at the supermarket abroad.

The weather is very nice this afternoon. Leaving Hakaniemi Market Hall, I wanted to walk in this area as much as I could.

I am a tourist visiting in Helsinki, but I'm hanging around just following my heart as if I were one of the local people.

To see something not in the guidebook! 

While exploring, I was talked by an Asian young guy with the words I couldn't understand. He must have thought I was the one from the same country as him. 

"I am sorry I can't understand what you're saying because I am Japanese, but have a nice day!" I said to him with a smile. :)

It happens pretty frequently when I'm both in foreign countries and in Japan. It's all right.

The medieval architecture in Finland catch my eyes. How nicely it harmonizes with the modern cityscape!

New green leaves are full of hope. For me, this building is like a historic dormitory.

After enjoying walking the town to the full, I went into S-Market. Open 24/7, good assortment for all likings, many familiar brands, and decent price! 

These Finnish bread became my favorite! How great people can buy such high-quality bread freely at the local market. I wish I could get them in Japan! Thin, dense, yet fluffy texture is really my taste and goes with any kind of ingredients as a sandwich. 

And familiar Finnish chocolates were souvenirs for my family, friends and co-workers. (and myself, of course)

I felt sorry for a casher because she had to process every single item of the chocolates with a cash register. However, she was kind in her behavior, and smiling. Maybe she knew they would be lovely presents from Finland in my country. She might even know I am Japanese. It was impressive. 

I preserve classy rows of houses along the street. 

Though I was planning to go to Hakaniemi Market Hall again for my lunch, I was worried whether the chocolate would melt in the sunny weather. I am going to my hotel first to put my purchases, and then I will come back here again. 

The chocolate is full of precious memories in Finland.

   

Exploring the Natural Beauty of my Hometown

I am remote working as many people of the counties. When I felt like I needed a refreshing time away from facing a company laptop all the time, I got out of my room and took a walk. There was a place I'd like to see in such a pleasantly warm day.

Sweet!!! Different kind of cherry blossoms - double flowered cherry blossoms - are full in bloom. It's SO lovely!

I was stunned by how beautifully it was blooming quietly in the corner of a high school grounds. I realized it's really spring now.

Miniature yellow roses are seen here and there♪

And also, I saw double flowered cherry trees blooming in the schoolyard of an elementary school with no one in there. We have a declaration of a state of emergency over COVID-19. High schools are closed during this time. 

This house seems to open a cafe on the first floor. How cleanly flower pots are arranged!

Even if I don't go somewhere by train, I can find the beauty of nature around my hometown. 

You know that spring has come when you see pansies.

The nature takes my breath away.

I wanted to come back to this street where I walked with Collie when he visited Japan. Stealthily, it is my walking course in my heart. 

Dear everyone in the world, take in magnificent scenery in your hometown as you relax.

Love, Rose

Cherry trees boom beautifully as they stand and overcome the snow.

3/28  Rose "Collie, it's snowing right now in Tokyo!"

3/29  Collie "Snow with cherry blossoms sounds amazing."

3/30  The following picture was taken by Rose.

When I went out for stocking up on my food, I saw cherry blossoms at my town still there. It was the day following the snow. 

Cherry trees bloom beautifully as they stand and overcome the snow. 

Cherry blossoms are quick-passing. Having fallen because of snow, and yet they bloom elegantly.

Thank you, dear... I was happy to see your beauty again. Then, I said bye to them and went back home. Cherry blossoms...now you are falling splendidly like snowflakes.

Let's be grateful for each things. Let's always be positive and look for the silver lining.          And...  

Still be careful with your health, sanitize, be careful breathing, wash hands, and stay responsible. :)

May you be healthy and at peace,

Rose