It's random Q and A time round 2!
Do I have medical insurance here?
(yes. we have Universal Health Care like many European countries do)
Have I been to the doctor here?
(yes)
Does my doctor speak English?
(no. she speaks fluent Finnish and German. Mr C is the interpreter. I need to get a new doctor)
my local Apteekki (Finnish) Apotek (Swedish) Pharmacy (English)
Do all the men carry those European man purses?
(they are popular but I see both men and women with back packs more than purses)
(Mr C doesn't carry either. I carry a purse... a woman purse)
Can I vote here?
(no. we are American citizens so we have no voting rights here)
Does Finland have royalty?
(no, there is a parliament . there was a woman president; Tarja Halonen)
Is Mr C also a vegetarian?
(he eats meat on occasion but 99.9% of his meals are vegetarian.
he says he doesn't miss the meat in what I cook for us)
he says he doesn't miss the meat in what I cook for us)
Do all Finn's have natural blond hair and blue eyes?
(no.)
Have I ever ate at the McDonalds here?
(yes once. fries. they were the same)
and now
Continuing the everyday stuff
(hopefully still not boring you)
This one's a little gritty!
Transportation
Getting from here to there.
We do own one car however, as I wrote this,
it's not here so
it's not here so
during my alone in the city time this month
I have 2 options
I have 2 options
walk
or
use public transportation.
I am not alone for sure!
MANY people do not even own a car here
or
even have a drivers license.
I am impressed at the ease you can get around using the system.
It takes a little practice
thankfully there's
an option in English so I can plan my route on the internet before I leave home!
I am not alone for sure!
MANY people do not even own a car here
or
even have a drivers license.
I am impressed at the ease you can get around using the system.
It takes a little practice
thankfully there's
an option in English so I can plan my route on the internet before I leave home!
 |
| glam shots (snort) of Helsinki public transit |
 | |||||||
| Pukinmäki metro station nothing glam going on here |
 |
| no glamour in the stairwell going to the train either |
 | |||||||
| or at the bus stop in Itäkeskus... well maybe a little glamour hahaha. I'm seriously tired waiting for the bus after hours of shopping. my feet are killing me. my options are to stand outside in the melting sun or sit in the glass enclosure with no breeze with cigarette smoke. I just don't get that! I really don't! face reflecting my irritation? yes, I think so. ps my hair was looking super cute when i started the day, melty flat and sad at this point... just say'n. |
I have experienced all the modes of public transportation here.
I have to say that I have found all the
trains, trolly trams, buses, boats and taxis
to be very clean
trains, trolly trams, buses, boats and taxis
to be very clean
on the inside
the outside stops such as
the Metro stations, bus stops
are another thing.
the Metro stations, bus stops
are another thing.
I am always dissapointed how dirty they are
well actually they aren't
it's the people who don't respect the public area.
I was warned early on to avoid 'puddles' and streams of 'water' coming from walls and corners.
I'm sure I will give a good rant on the subject of
spitting, dog poop, cigarette butts
and
rampant public urination
at some point....
can you hardly wait!!!!
well actually they aren't
it's the people who don't respect the public area.
I was warned early on to avoid 'puddles' and streams of 'water' coming from walls and corners.
I'm sure I will give a good rant on the subject of
spitting, dog poop, cigarette butts
and
rampant public urination
at some point....
can you hardly wait!!!!
I wish we had a good public transit system here. My 81 year old neighbor grew up in my neighborhood (the westside) and remembers when her father took the bus to work on the eastside everymorning. They didn't have a car and he boarded everymorning on the corner by his house. When we were in China to meet our youngest daughter we were told to wear closed toed shoes because of the spitting and the fact parents would let their children urinate on the curbs and sideswalks or in wastecans. But there were no cigerette butts on the streets or sidewalks or trash anywhere. Very, very clean.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea! I just talked to my sister she said you are in for a hot day at home today! It's hot here today too!
ReplyDeleteI am impressed at the eco awareness here with the transit system. When you input your desired schedule into the internet it gives back feedback on the emissions of your trip choice. I think that's pretty cool!
My grandma also grew up riding buses in Flint. She didn't own a car until her late 20's.
That is very impressive about China! I mean REALLY!
The random garbage thing just upsets me. I wouldn't do it anywhere, it's just a respect thing with me so it fires me up!
The urination business! If it were only children I might be able to get my head around this, but it's not!