 |
| Russ and Kaveli |
Turku has long been on our bucket list as a destination because it is the "birthplace" of our Pacific Crossing Nauticat 44 Pilothouse sailboat. Seems we are salmon returning to the place of origin, although we no longer have this boat. When we arrived in this port city, the rain had just stopped, but it was still cool and breezy.
Our accommodation for the night is fittingly on a boat, an old steam boat Bore converted to a Hostel International on the river.
After lunch and a very interesting tour of the Medieval castle Turku built in 1320 and with a long history of upward and inward expansion and intriguing stories of the inhabitants.
We walked back to the boat to check-in and we passed by an older couple (probably in their 80's) on the castle lawn flipping a half inflated ball from behind them over their heads to one another playing catch. Two bicycles were parked close by. We smiled and said "Hello" to the couple. They said something in Finnish as we walked by, but did not pay much attention as it did not sound like it was directed at us.
We walked about 50 feet around a corner of the castle gardens and the couple on their bicylces were chasing after us!
We stopped when they caught up and in their best English asked where we were from and were we enjoying Turku. The man introduced himself as Kalevi and his wife Gerda Vallas. Kaveli may have been able to understand our English if he were not so hard of hearing, but he was struggling so Gerda would ask us questions and translate loudly in Finnish for him. Somewhere in our conversation, Kaveli wanted to know if we had been to Finland and Europe before and when he learned we had lived in Germany, he started to speak to us much more comfortably in German.
Our German is a bit rusty, but with our three languages we were able to have an enjoyable conversation. Kaveli is a Rotarian and was pleased to learn that Russ is a Lion, and asked if we would take their picture which we happily obliged and promised to send them a copy of photo by email.
We gave them our email address. They do not have a computer, but they would tell their son our email address and he would send us an email so that we could reply with the photo. This was all a bit complicated in three languages, but if all was properly understood, we look forward to hearing from the Vallas's son.
Later in the evening, we walked up river looking for Nauticats and absorbing the river culture and old town Turku. Hundreds of people were out walking and enjoying a sunny Finnish afternoon. A huge motorcycle rally had finnised its day in Turku. There were rows of Harleys, BMWs, Kawakis, Suzukis, and one lonely Vespa. All the cycles had Finnish license plates. The riders in their leathers and helmets were admiring each other's cycles and animatedly discussing in Finnish topics undoubtedly related to their day and hobby.
We ate in an excellent Mexican restaurant, sharing a chicken ceasar salad and beef fajitas. By the time we walked back to our accommodation at 9:30, the sun was still in the sky, but the bikers had all rumbled away.
We were in Turku and saw a lot, but never saw a Nauticat, Nevertheless, our visit was quite pleasant and will be remembered because our conversation with the Finnish couple on bicycles on the sunny side of Turku Castle.
No comments:
Post a Comment