It’s always interesting to spend time in another country, especially one that is same-same-yet-different to my one. It’s often the subtleties in how the small bits of life get lived.
Ladders to the roof
All Finnish homes have ladders to the roof, specifically to the chimneys. Harry reckoned it was for cleaning the chimneys. We confirmed this over dinner with our friends. Insurance requires regular cleaning of chimneys. Simple.
I spent most of my youth in the UK and Ireland where chimneys were common, but ne’er a roof ladder. I do remember the chimney fires 🔥
Road Signage
cold climate driving: air and road surface tempstook me a little while, then I figured out how to read these parking signsroad hazards
Letterboxes
Apartment blocks at home in Australia have all the letterboxes in a cluster outside the building. In Finland each apartment door has a letterbox, amazes me. Although my sample was small, two apartment blocks in fact, so subject to further research.
Transport
electric buses
I’m pretty sure that Helsinki day travel pass also includes access to shared-use bicycles (further investigation needed).
Daily Life …
zoom in to see the roof ladderhouse and apartment colours come from a narrow range of coloursCoffee!! Filter coffee is favoured in homes, and I didn’t see any Nescafé-type capsules on the shelvespotatoes, as they are sold hereask me over a beer how to weigh your fruit & vegI absolutely LOVE the quiet public toilet because these old-fashioned towel systems are usedshopping trolleys don’t have to be plain metal!every home and apartment block has one of these at the front doorpay-at-the-bowser for petrol, no shop, no staffsolar panels, a long way northoutdoor games, that survive the harsh winterswaste and recycling centrevaccination notice against tick-borne disease (Lyme, I think)we fell about laughing when we saw this in a shopping centre! a Sydney friend bought one in a garage sale. It’s a personal sauna! you can see where the head and hands come out
Deesta 