Seurasaari
The Companion Island
Helsinki is a lovely city. Compared to other capitals it is one of the smallest, quietest and cleanest, and true to its Finnish nature, it is also beautiful. A mix of urban environments, parks and almost pristine nature, it is made of 300 islands, for what is known as the Helsinki Archipelago.
That Sunday was specially Finland-like, even for a spring day. Cold, wet, foggy and quiet. Finland is known as a country that values quietness, being in touch with wilderness’ overwhelming silence to really listen to its sounds. Save for a few birds, the only thing you hear, even so close to the country’s capital, is the wind.
The fog blended with the sea, hiding the horizon. Knowing which way you were facing was nearly impossible. It was like one was transported to the middle of a large forest, with no cities near.
Save for a few of the nearby smaller islands’ silhouettes, it looked like infinity. This small, isolated world was all we had that day. When there is no one around, the Companion Island brings you its company.
The tall trees enhanced the feeling of being surrounded by infinity, and the skirting pathway, going up and down, made made it impossible to see what was ahead.
As we venture and wander into the nature, we must appreciate it in its fullness. Being enclosed in its silence is one of the most important lessons the Finns have for us.
