Cold. Snow fell. I guess 20 years ago waking up in the morning I would say "hate it". My father was a military man and our family moved several times, so among my childhood memories I have calm and soft Moscow winters and snowless and warm Armenian. Besides I had regular meetings with my Otolarygologist and 20 years ago I still knew nothing about Finland.
Suomi. I`m in love with this word. Truly. Madly . Deeply. Every time while driving my car I cross the border line between two countries , I see those five letters on the strict sign and my eyes get wet with tears of joy and happiness. Every time. Honestly. This is a warm cosy word and I`m going to warm country.
Many times over many years leaving my grey house on Vasilievsky island in my grey car looking into grey sky above I could barely awake or smile. But barely seeing that warm familiar word Suomi I started smile and literally jump behind the rudder. And then surprisingly emerged sun began to shine as a reward for the patience in the queue at the border. And there was a road to blue and white horizon(note- traditional finnish colours) , so straight and boring, but charmingly surrounded with rocky roadsides with the trees patterns and rare cute houses on them. And that road led to the capital of this warm country- the city of Helsinki.
I`ve been in many European countries, in many European capitals, but it was only Suomi`s heart which opened to me a friendly embrace and since the very first time my heart reciprocate to Helsinki. And Helsinki in Christmas decoration – is the quintessence of warmth, kindness and fairy tales.
The Christmas mood in Helsinki starts with its inhabitants, whom you pass in the streets, meet in department stores, shops, small shops , booths- customers and salesmen. Some of those big stores shop-assistants talk up to 6 languages and many of shopkeepers in addition to fluency in English, have learned an incredibly difficult Russian language. Do not forget the staff at the fuel stop, where you had a warming cup of hot chocolate and got the address of non-central Reima store, where you certainly find the desired size of whatever you needed. Finally, those hotel receptionists who love you as if you were a family member(believe me, in France, for example, they are arrogant like Dukes at least) and they always know everything and help you in every way.
The essence of the Christmas mood in Helsinki is simple : Share a smile and it`ll come back soon! They( those abovementioned people) smile. And you involuntary smile in response. For them it is natural as breathing. And I love Suomi for that with all my heart.
As they reliably know the meaning of the holiday all around you can see very beautiful windows of large stores oh-so tastefully decorated and showcases of smaller shops, looking lovely and full of its owner`s fantasy. All that candle-lights and snowflakes behind the curtains- all this is fascinating. I want to stop and look at these windows, I want to believe in fairy tale, I want to be a child and among the abundance of goods at the market place find and buy some warm socks with a compliment smile. Not the external attributes are main here, but a smile, which from within, from the kindness, the warmth, the nature of the country itself.
I remember those tiny like snowflakes( because sometimes last for seconds) and huge, like a cloud( as master you completely – from top to toe), the moments of happiness in Helsinki and I smile, because this year I will sit in my gray car and quietly, getting great pleasure from maintenance of speed limit, go to this warm country with my kids for their same magical memories.