The summer of 2019

 A temporary aquarium in the middle of Ginza, Tokyo brought dreams to the people.

The summer of 2020. The aquarium is not there.

But the vision still leaves a brilliant impression on us. 

One who continue to advance will win in the end. Today you are one step closer to your dream.

Marunouchi Street Park 2020 and Angel Food Cake @CAFE GARB

 Hi guys! Do you remember I introduced winter scenes of a place I love with this post:The beauty of Marunouchi Naka-Dori Street in this season to you?

This summer, from July 27th to September 6th, the street is open to the public as a park-like space, set up with some social distancing principles. 

Urban Terrace  offering an open-air space for business and lunch with socially distanced tables

What a crazy event is being held for us!  The thoughtful concept toughed me.  It is beautiful...☆

Open-Air Office  made into an outdoor work place with parasols, free Wi-Fi and power supply units

The outdoor space is meant for relaxation for urbanites and Tokyoites, who are actually stuck in town and deprived of holidays due to a recent Covid-19 alert by the Tokyo Government. 

Marunouch Naka-Dori is my refreshing place. I do like it since it is like a vibrant street in the States. Also, it has such a laid-back atmosphere. I feel like I'd visit it frequently.

I will stop by a cafe I've longed to visit. I dreamed about visiting this place every time I passed by. 

Now special tables and chairs are extended from CAFE GARB on the newly created grass. 

 

I sat on the seats near the entrance of the cafe, looking at people who enjoy the company out of doors.

☆☆☆Ａｎｇｅｌ  Ｆｏｏｄ  Ｃａｋｅ   Vanilla caramel ☆☆☆

White chiffon cake with soft whipped cream & slightly bitter caramel source... 

Chiffon cake is fluffy, yet resilient.  I already know I'll be a regular customer here♡

Check it out! A fine mist of water is also set up along the street. Well thought out, it keeps you feeling cool.     

Marunouchi Naka-Dori, the Main Street is lined with office buildings, shops, and restaurants in high-end fashion. 

Cozy Green Park  changed into a park with grasses and socially distance benches 

Would you like to come visit?  This event is until September 6th, 2020.  Though restaurants and food stands close around 21:00~22:00, MARUNOUCHI STREET PARK is available for 24/7.  

For further information, you can click here.→★                 

Please stay cool in your area, Rose

Living Every Minute with Love, Grace, and Gratitude

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.

Denis Waitley

St. Henry's Cathedral - A small Catholic Church I found in Helsinki, Finland

In Finland, 70% of people belong to The Evangelical Lutheran Church, and 1.1% of people to Finnish Orthodox Church. 

During that time, can I find a Catholic Church to be able to visit in Helsinki? I searched on the internet, and knew St. Henry's Cathedral, which is a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland. There is a Mass in English on Sunday!

I took off a tram at Kaivopuisto of Tram 3 Line. Soon, a small church was seen in front of me. 

St. Henry's Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland 

It is the Cathedral Church of the Catholic Diocese of Helsinki, dedicated to St. Henry, a 12th-century Bishop of Finland. 

The statues are Saint Henry, Saint Peter, and Saint Paul. 

St. Henry's Cathedral is built in 1858 - 1860, and one of the oldest Neo-Gothic churches in Finland.

The Mass in English on Sunday starts at 9:30 am. I wished for spending time quietly inside the church before the Mass started. Sit on the bench, see the interior, close my eyes, and be honest with myself in a sacred and mysterious atmosphere... So I came here earlier. 

But! There were already people inside the church and a prayer chorus had begun! Christians - almost of them seemed Filipinos to me - were chanting specific prayers loudly together. Louldy. 

I got upset. For me, the time before the Mass should be, at least I was taught that, quiet. It's different here. Though I couldn't have a quiet time as I hoped, I understood it's helpless. They want to chant passionately to express their faith. They are very devout. Must be looking forward to coming here, a rare Catholic Church in Finland. 

The Mass started after 30 minutes. It was a beautiful Mass by Finnish priest. 

He in Michigan had some doubts whether there was a Mass at Catholic Church in Finland because a Catholic population in Finland is quite small. 

Yes, there was. Later at the hotel, I took a photo of "evidence" and sent it to him. 

Even if I was traveling alone in Finland, my heart was together with him.

A Fabulous Finnish cinnamon roll & an excellent Americano I tasted at St.GEORGE BAKERY, Helsinki

My purpose for traveling in Finland was experiencing Finnish cinnamon rolls. On a trip for 3 days, there were several chances to have cinnamon rolls. It is also called cinnamon buns. In Finland, it is "korvapuusti". 

I want to tell you, I had a beautiful Finnish cinnamon roll at the cafe of the hotel I stayed at. It was not in the guidebook, but it was the best! 

Korvapuusti at St.GEORGE BAKERY

It was served, softly warmed up. It was the most beautiful I korvapuusti I'd ever had. I'd like to say it even if I was not experienced a lot. 

Finnish cinnamon roll is horizontally rolled up, seasoned with cardamon as well as cinnamon, sprinkled crystal sugar instead of icing on top. 

St.GEORGE BAKERY is on the first basement of Hotel St.George. https://www.stgeorgehelsinki.com

I might not have visited here unless I stayed at this hotel. So, I'm thankful that I had an opportunity to stay at an elegant Hotel St.George in Helsinki City Center, which is only 10-minute walk from Helsinki Central Station. 

There were plenty of attractive rolls, muffins, pastries, and cakes...but my choice was Finnish cinnamon roll I was really hoping to try! 

One woman is working at the cafe. She gently speaks. It makes me feel at ease, and it is as if her smile is healing people's mind. I was greeting a crisp, refreshing morning.

I learned how amazingly the power of gentle smiles and words affect people around. It makes us happy!

One of the visitor's coffee looked great. I was interested in it and asked him what he ordered.

"Americano."  This is it! 

Americano at St.GEORGE BAKERY

Tasty! It's my favorite flavor. It is covered with creamy foam, making the coffee excellent even better. It is not milk froth, but coffee froth. I do love it❤︎

A fabulous Finnish cinnamon roll & an excellent Americano I tasted at St.GEORGE BAKERY were the highlight of my trip in Helsinki. 

I asked the Finnish lady which coffee beans was used for this Americano. I thought about bringing the beans back to Japan, but I didn't. There was not an enough space in my suitcase. 

We are in the midst of trying to overcome the Corona Crisis. A shift towards more remote-based work style will remain even after we have overcome COVID-19. "New Normal" will remain as "New Lifestyle". Someday we will be able to travel again, in, perhaps, a little changed way.  

I can't even think about a trip in a current situation. Still, traveling is great. I can travel in my mind by seeing those pictures taken in Finland.

Someday...

If I go to Finland again, I will definitely visit St.GEORGE BAKERY even if I stay at a different hotel. I fell in love with the food here. And when I am asked "Would you like it warmed up?" kindly,  I will say "Yes!" with a happy smile.   

Helsinki Central Station, Finnish National Theatre...and tasteful cider in Finland☆

I told you before here at my blog that I missed shopping and dining area inside of the station because I went out directly from the platform like people around me did. 

It seems like a front entrance of Helsingin Rautatieasema (Helsinki Central Station). I see people going back and forth through the door. OK, I will go inside and check it out.

This is R-kioski I've sought!  I wanted to come here on the first day😂

I went out of the station from the other side. At the station square, I took a shot. I didn't take a bus in Finland, but this is the snap to record the moment😀

And Soumen Kansallisteatteri (Finnish National Theatre) itself without a bus. The style of the architecture is called art nouveau. No matter where you take it, it will make a great picture! 

The Finnish National Theatre is on the northern side of the Helsinki Central Railway Station Square symbolically.

On the way to my hotel, I bought these at the department store, STOCKMAN!  Tasteful cider became a great favorite of mine. Homemade ice box cookies were rich in egg flavor. Gluten free thin crackers were...OK.

 

I really recommend you to buy cider in Finland. Believe me, you can find a wide variety of cider at the store. I'm sure rich cider with a stylish can will be a wonderful gift for your friends. You can introduce Finland to your friends in a slightly different way☆

My Charming Morganite

Twinkle,  pale,  bluish pink ♡

Love --- Pureness --- Daintiness

Durable, lustrous, transparent, and various pink...

Touching affection  ⭐︎  deep personality  ⭐︎  so much charm  ⭐︎  sophisticated elegance

Cloche Instagram ⇨  💎💍🔮

Delicate and beautiful design