I have found my second slow train

Leaving home was tough but leaving Slow Train may have even been worse. Slow train was this local coffee house in Oberlin (I suggest that ever one goes there and buys a vegan chocolate cookie. Also, while you are buying it, find out the recipe and send it to me. Do it. Please.) It is a wonderful place at all times of the year. I would always sit by the window and look out onto the lovely hustle and bustle of Oberlin (and of course Charles Martin Hall's house... long story.)

The morning of when I flew out I went and had a cup of coffee, vegan cookie, and blueberries there to help leaving be easier.

Long story short: Slow train was my little place away from the world.

So one of my personal goals upon arrival was to find a new slow train- a place where I can go alone and just think.

Now I am very picky when it came to being the right place and of course I could find somewhere better. But I was so dead set to find the right place. I was starting to get a little discouraged, especially after two months of going to a lot of coffee houses. Then I out of the blue it was there. Some wonderful friends for school met up with for coffee and we hit up a few places, but the last one was this little joint on the third floor of an old building in Senate Square. You would have never known it was up there. I don't even know the name!

It was modern looking but had the correct atmosphere it needed. I wish I could explain but I was just very comfortable.

 Fall is here and all the colors are either orange or yellow. All the shade of them of course!

this is Heikki. We are good friends but I still don't think he knows my real name... he calls me American. 

coffee house 1: Pretty but not perfect

Now cafes are everywhere. As you know Fins love coffee, sauna, and Mumi. Cafes here are so "European Fancy" as I would call it. But this one is different and It was nice to just sit and smile. 

They also have free wifi... so thats cool. (more blogging from the center)

The Weekend of the Canadian: The Sunday

Wow. I have someone which will be there in life for life. I can't wait to see her again.

We had lounged around and did each others makeup. We laughed and drank insta coffee. 

We went into the city and explored some more and then had coffee one last time.

I am so thankful for Claudia. She is going to do so well with life. 

"Navigators"

Coffee. Friends. Finland.

I could never ask for more. 

We ran to her train. I waited till I could see her train no more.

I will see her again. 

The Weekend with the Canadian: The Saturday

We rose early and ate a light breakfast then we were off.

We arrived at Helsinki where we first visited the university library. I have now found where I am going to spend my free time come winter. And then of course we had to have coffee.

After coffee we jumped on a tram and just went. This I have found is the best form of travel when you have no idea where you want to go. I have became an expert at becoming lost.

We ended up at a market where among many things we were given free picnic berries, apples, and bread. I am going to go back and build a relationship with this little shop. But it was a wonderland. Outside was a bunch of little tents but when you walked inside this old building there was shops of everything from meats to cheese to wines to candies. All small shops. It was shocking. It was near perfection.

Okay, yes, I know see you being like "Anna, what are you doing taking pictures of strangers. That is weird. Stop being weird." Well... yes.. I am weird, buuut this was a beautiful moment. The train smelled of all the market foods and it was just so quiet in a calming way. The train rocked and this man was just humming a song to her. 

We wondered around another small market and then jumped on the ferry to go to the island once again. The island has become my favorite place so far. I go there when I have free time so I have learned where all the streets lead and I am still finding new places.

You can smell the salt water and it was the perfect breeze. It was about 69°F.

We napped and read all day. I woke up once to hot air balloons in the air. We had the best view of all the sail boats.

Who likes orange soda? I like orange soda! (please note keenen and kel reference)

There was a sporting event going on over the next hill where people were kinda bowling with sticks.

It was getting chilly and we wanted coffee. This led us to the fanciest restaurant on the island (all the cafes were now closed) and all we ordered was coffee. 

After we sprinted back to watch the sunset.

we almost missed the last ferry back

We arrived home around midnight. It was the best day. I was able to say I did nothing but I experienced so many new things.