Day Trip to Salo

Today I decided to make a trip to Salo. Its not in my guidebook, so didnt expect it to be anything special, but its 30mins on the intercity train (the one I've gotten to Helsinki so many times now) and only €5's so thought I'd go check it out. I was right, it isnt really anything special. But the river is beautiful...

And there is the election tomorrow, so there was some sort of market, with election candidates giving out balloons...

They were also gearing up for Halloween in the shopping centre, where each shop seemed to have people in dress, smoke machines, face painting, or dry ice. Spoooooky! (unfortunately no picture).

This sign made me laugh; walk/cycle to museum, station ect.
Or even to Turku - only 60km!

And although the shopping centre had mostly the same shops as in Turku, they were a lot more concentrated, and I managed to get around a lot of shops in a short space of time. There were also a lot of shoe shops, which is good because I have been wearing the same pair of shoes since I got here (I didnt pack any spares!).

I worked out that I spent nearly €70 - but there were some bargins. Here's a list of what I purchased (I'm liking lists today);

Desperate Housewives Season 2 - I bought season one a while ago in a sale here, but recently finished it, so was glad to find the next series in the sale.
3 Finnish Films; Espoon Viimeinen Neitsyt (apprently the Finnish '13') Helmä ja Sikoja (Pigs and Pearls, a comedy of sorts), & Pitka Kuuma Kesä (Long Hot Summer, another comedy about a punk kid moving from Helsinki to the countryside). I didnt know what any of these films were about when I bought them, as the descriptions were in Finnish, but they were all only about €3 each and say they have English subtitles. I think it will be interesting to explore some Finnish cinema.
Antti Tuisku Greatest Hits Volume 1 - I love the fact its volume 1, implying there will be more... Anyway, its got some of the older songs which dont seem to be available anywhere else (apart from the early albums, which I cant find anywhere). It was also in the sale, and on the first listen, I'm pretty happy with it. There's a DVD too, which should be interesting, when I have time to watch it!
Shoes - finally found a pair that were a) under €20 b) flat c) not trainers and d) fit! Hurrah!

I've also started on my xmas shopping! Shocking, but I saw the perfect present for someone so had to buy it :) The christmas season is definitely starting up. I think without Bombfire Night, it will really pick up after halloween.

As for the town, it is actually very attractive in areas. I think if I were Finnish I would really like to live there. As it happens though, I'm not Finnish and dont speak Finnish. As I discovered, although they say people in Scandinavia speak English well (which they do) I gather that in some of the smaller, less touristy towns, its not so true. I had lunch at Hessburger, and for only the second time since I've been in Finland, I had to swap cashiers (even though I could have ordered in Finnish... maybe... just). Unfortunately she still got my order a little bit wrong, but decided not to cause any bother. Better for my health to give the fries a miss anyway...

But sitting on the platform waiting for the train home, I looked out at all the beautiful nature that was so nearby to the town. All around were hills covered with trees. In the shady light we've been getting lately it looked truely beautiful. Along with the church atop the hill. I've grown to quite like the train journeys too. The first one was such a shock to see nothing but trees, trees, and more trees, but now I'm used to it, and love it. I remember thinking 'why would anyone live in that house in the middle of nowhere?' and now I find myself thinking 'Wouldnt it be lovely to live in one of those houses' Think the return to the south of England might be a bit of a shock come Christmas!