Helsinki to Estonia

So, after a 2 solo days in Helsinki, my major take aways are: 1)
These people are clean and efficient. It is such a contrast coming
from Russia. Everything is well-labeled, works on time, is translated
into English. The whole country looks like an Ikea catalog, but nicer-
quality. 2) All the parents here look young and hip, and all the kids
look like little indierockers. It makes me want a little hipster
child. 3) I have also noticed that younger kids walk around alone
here much more than you see in the US. And the girls ride their bikes
with earphones on close to midnight. I always forget that the US does
not really feel truly safe until I go somehere that does. Japan was
the same. Coming from Russia, which felt significantly *less* safe
than the US, Heksinki was a good transition.

I took a ferry to Tallinn, Estonia from Helsinki in the late
afternoon. This boat was like no other ferry I have ever seen. There
were multiple restaurants, a casino, an ice cream parlor, and a fully
equipped sound stage. The views were incredible. There were private
cabins. It was a very pleasant 2.5 hour journey. Yes TWO-POINT-FIVE
hours. Crazy.

I was quite prepared for a US-style ferry with hard seats and a
grilled cheese sandwhich and instant cocoa, so I was a bit caught off
gaurd when it had plush red carpets and toilet floors you could eat
off of. It also had wireless. Thank you Finns.