Well,that time of year,Christmas I am referring to,is rapidly approaching.As a Helsinki blogger I am trying to fit running the blog,shopping,and getting to know my new desktop.I am also trying to cajole a good and dear friend of myself and wife to visit us this Christmas.She is half Indian,half Welsh,but she comes from Cardiff, so I say she is Welsh.She even speaks the local lingo with that almost singing poetical dialect.
She says that she has an invite to spend Christmas in London and really is unsure as to whether she will be able to make the trip.I of course.who lived in Soho,central London,am expressing to her that the change of environment may do her good!Come on Ness(her name)here is your chance to visit the land of Santa Clause.Albeit there is no snow as of yet.It got me thinking though,”How does Helsinki compare to London at Christmas
London UK Christmas
There is no doubt that the city of London moves up a gear at Christmas time.I remember only to well the adorning of buildings and trees with bright lights.There are always to be found spectacular displays at Harrods in particular.The pubs take on an almost new life.People are busy,yet at the same time in high spirits and intent on doing their chores.With close to 12 million inhabitants,London does become overbearing at the best of times.When Christmas arrives,or I should say the run up to it,one can easily spend several days tramping around the shops searching for that perfect present,paper and bows.Some one once said to me,”Just buy two of everything,and swap the presents you send next year”Yeah right! If money fell off Xmas trees
So after the obligatory work parties.shopping,donning your home with tree,lights and bangles,rapping the presents,writing cards and completing any last minute details,you then have to move to preparing the turkey and side dishes.Hopefully some one else has taken care of the Xmas cake and pudding for you.I don’t wish to be Mr… Scrooge here,but the whole period is manic and for me personally a time which I wish I could just bypass.
One really positive aspect of being in London at Christmas time,is that there are plenty of events going on.Great for people alone, what ever the reason,travelling,working,by choice.Even on Christmas Day you will find a multitude of places open,where you can socialize and enjoy the spirit of yuletide.
After all that, you need a well deserved break for some peace and respite
Helsinki Finland Christmas
To state firstly,Helsinki is much the same as London with the run up to Xmas.It is however on a much smaller scale.Should you be clever,it is wise to do your shopping early in the morning.I find Helsinki to be less of a rat race at Christmas time.The atmosphere is peaceful and jovial.When the snow does descend upon the city,it graces the city in an almost serene coat of virginity.It truly is a remarkable site to wake up in the morning and see the city covered in this candescent shroud.
Unlike the UK,where 1cm of snow brings the whole country to a virtual stand still,Finland and Helsinki in particular,keeps on running like a fine Swiss made time piece.This is due in great part to the workers of Helsinki City who slave all through the nights to clear the roads and public walkways so that we mortal folk can pursue our daily activities with the lead up to Xmas.Though I must say! at present,we in Helsinki have not yet received snow,except for a very fine sprinkling some weeks ago.Alas it will come.
Christmas I find in Finland,is a time for remembering lost ones and being a little more humble.Finnish people celebrate Christmas on Xmas eve not Xmas Day as in the UK.Traditionally families will visit the graves of departed family members and lay fur branches and a lighted candle.When I first saw this 21 years ago,it took my breathe away.Graveyards throughout Finland are lit up by thousands of candles,a truly serene sight.
At 1800 on Christmas eve Finland pretty much shuts down.The only real services kept going are the emergency services,.You will find more licensed establishments open today than20 years ago.Other than that I am afraid to say,Helsinki does not really offer much for people who are alone at this time of year.Actually on Christmas Eve in Helsinki you will be hard pressed to see people in the city.
Wherever you are in the world,London,Helsinki,or Tibet,may peace be with you and Happy Christmas.
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