Helsinki, Finland

This is a monument to Sibelius, the famous Finnish composer, probably best know for his composition, "Finlandia". There was some controversy about the monument among the locals, some thinking it too contemporary.

I liked the different textures and thought it was beautiful.

This is the entrance to the underground "Church of the Rock". It hardly looks like a church from the outside since it is built entirely underground, using the natural rocks for the walls.

It's hard to see here, but when it rains the water runs down the walls into channels along the bottom.
It was a little too contemporary for my taste, but it certainly was interesting to see, and probably a marvel of engineering.

These last two pictures are of the Esplanade, a park running down the center of a wide boulevard. I should have taken more pictures. There were beautiful sculptures, statues, and fountains. The park was busy with people strolling, playing, and watching entertainers. The streets on either side were filled with restaurants, cafes, and stores, many of them upscale. At the outdoor cafes, people sat with their chairs facing the sun, it being a precious commodity in this country of long dark winters.