Heading Home to Helsinki
My friend, Tyler, ascends a spiral staircase in the botanical gardens in Copenhagen. Jon Hull
Entries from the Air Over Europe
Returning from Copenhagen:
I am on a plane back to Helsinki. Alex, Maddie, Tyler, and I had an amazing breakfast at Ø12 in Copenhagen this morning. The highlight, though, was the walk through the park and the botanical garden after breakfast.
There is something about a botanical garden that revives the soul. I could spend days at each. My screen addiction dissolves as my attention is drawn to natural wonders. Today, the Sequoia, palms, and the sound of tree frogs transported me to new worlds. That is what it is. Many worlds within a city.
A sketch in my notebook. Jon Hull
When I land, it will be one of the last times I return to Helsinki as my “home.” It’s been a good place to live: the lifestyle aligns with my sensibilities and Jessica’s. That said, I am ready to go.
This last month is going to fly and — while I don’t want to wish it away — New England is calling. June is a magical month in Connecticut. Ideally, I’ll get to camp, play disc golf, hang with family and friends, and do nothing at the beach. That will all keep me busy.
I need to map out my summer soon. I am a bit worried that it will pass before I can even appreciate it. I usually have all of July and most of August. This year, we are heading to Panama on the 19th of July to start our new jobs.
Man… that’s nuts. I hope it is a generally positive experience. It will be different, and that makes me understandably anxious, but I am more ready for it than I ever thought I could be.
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Returning from Berlin:
Jessica and I jetted to Germany for her birthday this weekend. It is remarkable how simple it is to get to famous, historic cities within Europe. I will never get used to it.
During our time here, we will each travel to 11 countries:
🇫🇮 Finland
🇪🇪 Estonia
🇵🇹 Portugal
🇪🇸 Spain
🏴 Scotland
🏴 England
🇭🇺 Hungary
🇲🇹 Malta (Jessica)
🇳🇱 The Netherlands
🇩🇰 Denmark (me)
🇩🇪 Germany
🇸🇪 Sweden
I doubt I will ever cover so much ground in such a short time again in my life. It occurred to me last night that I will look back on these days with nostalgia. I am ok with that as long as I can keep it all in perspective.
For now, we have a lot to look forward to. Stockholm will be our next quick stop. Alex Curry will come next. Then, it is basically over. June in Connecticut awaits.
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The botanical garden in Berlin-Steglitz. Jessica Stargardter
Berlin is the latest in a string of cities that I would love to spend another few days in. Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Berlin top the list for this year. Budapest was my favorite until I saw those three.
It may be related to spring weather. We had perfect sunshine and clear skies in each of those places. If friends and family were near, I would be perfectly happy living in any one of them.
Berlin felt akin to New York in many aspects: the parks, the faces of all colors and shapes, the grit mixed with functionality, and the feeling that you could move through many worlds on one long walk. Jessica and I both felt it which is significant because I draw comparisons to NYC in every city we visit. Her stamp means there’s some validity to it.
The major difference is Germany’s relatively recent history. I am not the first to remark on the many ways that they have confronted their past. It feels healthy to bring the horrors of history into the light without being gratuitous.
Small golden plaques dot the sidewalks throughout Berlin. Each is an acknowledgment of those taken to and executed in a concentration camp. It is awful. It also feels right that such a horrific event, the Holocaust, is represented in a way that most other countries would have a hard time doing. I am curious to know how it came about and how they overcame resistance from the people who would rather we forget.
