Helsinki has been experiencing a strong bout of "takatalvi" (a uniquely Finnish word describing strong snowfall when least expected - probably translates into something like "Finnish spring") during the past two days. Hopefully we'll have better weather tomorrow. On the other hand, what does it really matter?
While sorting out all the documents I brought back with me from England (parish registers, census registers, etc etc), I have started to tip some of the names into family search websites, with amazing results. I found out that one of my great-great-grandfather's cousins emigrated to Montréal, where we still have relatives living. Another branch of the family moved to Salt Lake City, which, by the way, has the largest family research library of the world, with millions of parish registers etc from around the world. I supposed these people are not really worth contacting since the only thing we have in common are our great-great-great-great-grandparents....
Today was a pretty relaxed day. Jarno came to Ruoholahti for lunch (I had the pork chops, he ate onion soup) after which we paid a visit to the newly-renovated Suomalainen Kirjakauppa as well as Akateeminen Kirjakauppa, where we drooled over books. By the way, Akateeminen seems to be specialising in Arab literature this week, so I highly recommend everyone to go and pick up a copy of the newest Arabic erotic literature (if this is a bit too extreme for you, good translations of the Koran are also available) or anything else they are selling. There was even a book of Syrian fairy tales (sadly, the cover looked so gloomy I don't suppose it would really appeal to children).
"The Woman in White" is already entering its very last chapters. This Gothic thriller set in grand English mansions is bound to have you turning the pages faster than you can say "A cup of tea before my afternoon stroll". Also, I have now started reading the last section of the Molvanian guidebook. One of the biggest laughs I had in the past days was caused by the charming city of Dzrebo (situated on the Eastern Steppes - Stjppka Orjentlka), which is divided into three zones: Sektor 1, Sektor 2 and Zibruzzka ("The Minefield").
Enough for today. Good night!
Piece of the day: The Beatles- "Michelle" preferably performed by the Kings' Singers - a haunting arrangement of the classic.