Living in Helsinki for as long as I have and running this Blog you get to know a few people and places.One of the most enduring memories is the Finnish People love affair with alcohol.There are certain Finnish People and expatriates I regularly bump in to when circulating around Helsinki.When your homeless and the temperatures drop well below freezing –18 degrees many turn to alcohol,for either numbing the effects of their current situation or to feel part of a special crowd.For some it has become a lifestyle that they can not or no longer wish to escape from,for what ever personal problems or reasons.
Kamppi Metro Station,Helsinki
This is a favorite destination for people who get kicked out of Kisahalli(local Helsinki police lock up).I myself have been placed there some 40 times over the 21 years I have been living in Helsinki Finland.The police lock you up for the night and kick every one out at about 0600.What do you do when kicked out and it is –20 outside.Most if homeless make there way to Kamppi.Here you can purchase a bottle or two of vodka for 10 euro.
Several months ago the thermometer was showing a respectful –14 degrees Celsius,I met an old Finnish drinker friend of mine in Kamppi.His fingers were frozen,steam was bellowing from his mouth.He is one of the Helsinki Homeless!He went on to inform me that this was like summer but that his head felt cold as he had no hat on(pipo).We quick as possible sorted some business out,getting ourselves 1 liter of Russian vodka.
Where do Homeless Finnish People drink the vodka
Well the first most accessible place in Helsinki itself,is to jump on a tram,all part of the lifestyle of a Finnish drinker.This affords most importantly some warmth and a place to sit.There are of course favorite and not so favorite trams routes to take.The most popular for a Finnish drinker is the number 3T as this just does one great big circle of Helsinki.We got of along the way and visited a UFF shop to pick up a hat(Pipo) and some gloves for Esa.
I don’t know what it is but Finnish women seem to fall for these drifters.I myself have been homeless and wandered the local bars and streets searching a friend for a place to stay.On many occasions I have been allowed to sleep at a Finnish woman’s flat for the night,longer if I replenished her with alcohol the next day.I personally have many acquaintances,some alive today some passed away from alcohol abuse.I would not change my memories,good or bad for any amount of money
Drinkers Lifestyle not always a bed of roses
I can not count the number of bank cards,mobile phones I have lost or had taken from me when drinking alcohol.I have been threatened with knives,even hit in the head with a number 1 golf club,ouch!it caused a lot of blood and pain and that was in the UK.I have fallen in to deep streams when the air temperature was –10 Degrees Celsius.It was actually warmer in the water and I should have stayed put,for climbing out in to –10 Degrees caused me all sorts of problems for the next few hours.Just to note the bottle of Bush mills is still at the bottom of the stream have had to jump from a balcony to get out of a Finnish Woman`s apartment as they had put the security lock on the door.The jump was from about 10 meters and on to concrete.Being drunk I forgot to bend my legs and roll.This some 10 years ago still affects my back.I have sat in petrol station coffee bars all night just in order to keep warm.Of course the summers are a big relief for all drinkers as the parks offer ample space to sleep and it is warm.Saying that I have had countless jackets and shoes taken.The loss of a jacket is not so bad,but to walk around Helsinki shoeless is another ordeal in itself
So there you have it,mot Finnish People are not like this but there are a few,approximately 9000 homeless in Helsinki alone.I started this Blog about a year ago and it keeps me from mixing with the Finnish drinkers and alcohol,though I miss the Finnish women and the lifestyle.I don`t miss Kamppi and the vodka so much
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I need to become a drifter in Finland then! In all seriousness thhough, being homeless is no joke and there are many unfortunate circum stances that put people in these situations. The issue is much worse when the temperature is -18.
Your very correct,
I would like to add,that I have met and befriended some of the roughest looking,kind,sincere people walking the streets at 0400 or there aboits.The circumstances of a persons homelessness in no way reflects on that persons former standing in society or thier morals,principles or honesty regardless of where they are today
you have to do something to keep warm in Finland!
you have to do something to keep warm in Finland!
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Thanks for your comment.I really do not intend to optimize for firefox,rather using IE8.
Regards Greg
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