18 And coming to Finland by myself.. Good idea?

[Jotunheim]

So i'm thinking of coming to Finland for the first time this year, in June to be precise, and going to the Tuska Metal festival which is on the 27 - 29th.

So i'm thinking a week, as i'm really, really interested in everything Finnish, and want to get to know the country personally.

Only problem is, i have noone at all to go with me, as my Girlfriend is doing her A levels.. I'm not too bothered though, as nothings gonna stop me travelling there.. I've been to Belgium last year at the same time, with my mate and Girlfriend and had no problems, but this time i'm going by myself for a week..

I have an understanding of the language, and learning everyday so that's not so much a problem..

Basically my question is: Is Helsinki a generally friendly place, where people aren't too busy to help someone out, and be able to walk back to my hotel at night, without fear of getting mugged =/ ?

I'll appreciate an answer so much if you can please, thanks alot.

(Call me Ash, btw )

[Hank W.]

This is not Manchester you poncy oik
This is how a night goes... so just watch the sausage stand... in the summer it is sans the snow - hopefully...

Gives me a call when you coming over, I might be in there.

[sinikala]

Basically my question is: Is Helsinki a generally friendly place, where people aren't too busy to help someone out, and be able to walk back to my hotel at night, without fear of getting mugged =/ ?

I'll appreciate an answer so much if you can please, thanks alot.

I wouldn't call it friendly, people keep themselves to themselves, but it's pretty safe.

If you're going to get mugged in Helsinki at the end of June, it won't be by a local, most of them have gone on holiday by then.

Helsinki is deader than a doornail between Juhannus ( = midsummer, this year it appears to be 19-22.06) and the start of August when people come back from their holidays.

[Hank W.]

Yeah, you need to watch out for the foreigners

[Jotunheim]

Awesome =D

A great insight into Finland, with one of my favourite Finnish Heavy Metal bands

What more could i ask!

I guess i should definitley come then =] Any Hotels you suggest, which would allow me to be within reach of the Festival (Apparently it's right next door to the train station..?) And allow me to have a wander around the Metropolitan area, ya know?

Ha, foreigners don't scare me Afterall, i will be one, so beware

[enk]

Not really sure what the prob is. Came to Finland and then went by
myself all around it and then Scandinavia at the ripe ol' age of 18.
Well ok, mebbe the prob is that you'll end up staying here like I did

-enk

[Hank W.]

You don't have the bloody money to stay at a hotel... you know they got mixed taps and nobodys heard of carpetted bogs...

OK, so all the places will be full.. so reserve and pay well beforehand;
Gasthaus Omapohja
HotelliArthur
Matkustajakoti Mekka
theres a few more seedy ones there...

Stadion Hostel (yeah,right,reservations)

Or then it might be a sofa at Chez Hank unless you've pissed me off, just to remember to bring your sis with and we'll be fine.

[Jotunheim]

Thanks Enk, that's really made me sure i'll be coming =]

And Hank, Lol, oh i have as much money as needed, afterall, it'll kinda be like my 18th Bday present

I'll check out those places you suggested

I have two sisters, 12 and 9, take your pick

Oh btw, i Will be staying at a hotel of some sort Only the best i will have, haha.

[Hank W.]

I have two sisters, 12 and 9, take your pick
.

Thats quite biblical

[Rosamunda]

I have an understanding of the language, and learning everyday so that's not so much a problem....

Ash,

Do you mean English?

It's true that most Helsinki people speak English, so that shouldn't be a problem.

(For a minute, I thought you meant you were learning Finnish )

[Jotunheim]

I know English perfect

I am learning Finnish

I am from England, afterall =]

[Rosamunda]

.... I was pulling you by the nose.

You just sounded a bit (over) confident about learning Finnish before next summer.

Let me know your secret, I have three kids who need all the help they can get!

[Jotunheim]

Oh, haha =s

I know I'm not going to "learn" Finnish before June, but i'll know the basics, or at least enough for people to understand what i'm talking about, that's what i meant

[Rosamunda]

... and that's what I meant by (over) confident!!!!!!!




How are you learning? Have you found a course? Have you found a Finn? A book? CDs? DVDs with subtitles??? Or are you relying solely on heavy metal lyrics?

[Jotunheim]

I'm not that stupid haha, the lyrics have helped me with pronouncing the words.. But I've been using "Talk Now! Finnish" and iv'e learnt everything from that, and since then iv'e been learning basic words, animals, natural forms (rocks, ocean, etc.) Shapes, etc. etc.

I didn't think i would be as "good" as i am at it, i learnt French for 3 years in School, and couldn't remember more than.. 10 words? But i can read over the whole Weekday names, and remember them after two times of seeing.. Something which i can never do with anything i have to remember.. It's really wierd =s

Oh, and i would love to take a course, but sadly noone around here knows Finnish =/