To Helsinki on my 58th year

we got up really early - celebrated my 58th year - Satu made me a lovely blueberry pie, which we had for breakfast.
our train left Tampere and we took a 2 hour ride to Helsinki

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki 

I loved the statues and the architecture - and I was told that even tho there were beggars all around - it is illegal.  I understood that these people are brought in the city by a bus, they are housed and fed, their job is to sit on the street and beg for euros.  It is sad when you think of it.  Are they there of their own volition? or are they there because they are held captive by a cult.  You know in the United States we have cults that make you do things because you belong to the cult - is this the same?

At the end of the day - on my birthday - we had dinner without my friends Satu and Heidi.  It was just Rick, Kelsey and me.  Satu, Heidi, and Julia - had separated from the group as we checked into Sokos Hotel Helsinki.  We never connected after that.  Their train back to Tampere left at 8:00 PM.   I was sad - as I wanted to say goodbye with hugs, but a Facebook Chat goodbye was all I got.  C'est la vie I guess.  I love and miss you Satu and Heidi.  Be safe in all your endeavors - Heidi do well in school, and Satu learn all you can about the tourism industry - perhaps someday ...