The winter arrived with a real crash-landing this weekend. On Friday, it was Autumn in Helsinki. Me, my sister and brother with his entire family boarded the ferry that afternoon to go on my sister's birthday surprise trip, a weekend spa holiday in Tallinn, Estonia. Great great fun. On friday evening there was already snow in Tallinn but on sunday a HUGE snow storm arrived, I've never experienced anything the like before. Wind speed upwards of 25 meters per second (20 is storm limit), visibility zero, the snow feeling like millions of needles piercing the skin. Would have been nearly impossible to get to the ferry terminal for our ferry back that day, even though it was not a long distance to walk, had we not been extremely lucky and managed to get a cab. The ferry itself was five hours late because the ships were unable to get docked because of the wind (unlike, for instance, Helsinki, Tallinn has no islands so the port is subject to the full force of storms). It was supposed to leave at 5.30 pm and reach Helsinki at 7.30 but in the end took until 00.30 am.
In the meantime the snow storm, in somewhat weakened form, had reached Helsinki. It had snowed heavily for most of the day and it continued at night. The metro had stopped running, as had the day buses and trams, and of course there was no hope of getting a cab at the terminal. We had no option but to walk about a kilometer to get cabs - unpleasant for adults, all too much for the boys, no older than 9 and 3 respectively, already exhausted because of the long journey. In the end we were lucky to get cabs fairly easily on one of the big streets, so it ended well. My brother let me know that the boys were already cheered up and were able to laugh about the adventure when they had got into the cab. Myself I got home around 2 am without trouble, save for a bit when the cab got stuck in the snow and the driver had to get out to do some shovelling. He reduced the fare because of it, very fair of him.
It snowed through monday as well, the pictures are from that day. Apparently the snow is going to melt soon. In the city center much of the beautiful whiteness has indeed already turned into brown and grey slosh, while here in the suburb the snow retains its whiteness a bit longer. I can say, however, that the winter's grand entrance was impressive indeed. :-)
4 comments:
Snow storms of 25 metres per second are unthinkable here. We wouldn't know how to cope, let alone be able to find cabs after such an event. What a story!
That aside, your photos are stunning..almost Dickensian in their feeling. The light gives an almost Depia tone to the quality. Did you have your tripod with you? If not, well done on the quality!
Yep, it was quite an adventure! :-)
I love the way snow changes atmosphere - then coupled with evening and evening lighting makes it different still.
Wow, that's a powerful storm. We had a surprise dumping almost two weeks ago too. All gone now, and it's been a balmy 4C for the last few days.
xx
AM
oh I love these ones. snow is so beautiful at its first falling.
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