Spoiler alert - if you haven't read
The Englishman yet, don't read this!
1.
The statue of Eino Leino in Esplanade Park. This is one of the traditionally romantic places in Helsinki, where lovers share kisses, and indeed this is where The
Englishman and I had a passionate moment or two.
2. The South Harbour. For some reason, I’ve always liked
harbours, and the one in Helsinki seems to go from strength to strength. In the
days of my romance with The Englishman, the South Harbour was still a working
place, and tourists only congregated in the area between the market square and
the Silja Line Olympic terminal. The Englishman and I too strolled many a time
along the harbour wall hand in hand, wishing we could stay that way forever.
 |
OK, this picture is a couple of decades too
old for my story,
still it looks pretty lovely, doesn't it? |
3. Below Stockmann’s clock on Alexanterinkatu. Outside this
iconic Helsinki department store is the
place to meet anyone, whether it is a romantic rendezvous or just a meet-up
with a friend.
4. The most romantic place for me in Helsinki must be the the
private club and restaurant
The Helsinki Bourse Club (used to be called Adlon). It was where The
Englishman made his first proposal of marriage (note: first proposal – a girl
needs to be asked more than once to accept!). This gleaming Art Deco place on Fabianinkatu 14 is
still open for lunch, and it also hosts private parties.
 |
| Again, I'm using historic images... |
5.
Hesburger. Not your obvious choice, I agree, but this
Finnish home-grown burger place was after all where The Englishman made his
marriage proposal concrete with a ring…branches are found all over the city nowadays.
The sleet was still falling and even though it was only twelve o’clock,
and in spite of the bright Christmas lights, the street looked dark. Kaisa
spotted the sign of the new hamburger bar opposite and started running
towards it, dragging Peter behind her.
‘It’s not McDonald’s but they do a rye burger,’ she said.
Inside Peter looked around the small space. ‘You sure this is OK?’
The place was called Hesburger and being new, it was fairly full. As
usual people stared when Peter and Kaisa entered. She looked at Peter. ‘Yes, we
just want a quick bite, yeah? And it’s raining.’
After some translation of the menu, they got the bags of food.
‘Let’s sit by the window,’ Kaisa said and nodded to one of the red
plastic tables and chairs.
Peter looked at Kaisa across the table. He hadn’t touched his burger.
‘Aren’t you hungry?’
He reached across the shiny tabletop and took her hand. His fingers felt
cold against her skin.
‘You know I love you.’
Peter’s mouth was a straight line. His eyes were wide. He looked almost
scared. Kaisa’s heart sank. Had he heard from the Navy Appointer? Was this bad
news?
‘I know.’
Peter pulled something out of his pocket. It was a small black box. ‘This
isn’t quite the kind of place I imagined I’d do this, but..,’ He looked deep
into her eyes and opened the box to show her the contents.
Kaisa saw gold and glittery stones. She looked up at Peter.
‘And I really wanted to ask your father first.’
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