I had a great time in Finland! The people were very warm and friendly. They all speak English. When I asked the obvious question of why that is so, they said that if they only spoke Finish, they would isolate themselves from the rest of the world since no one else speaks the language. They learn English and another language in primary and secondary school.
Nokia rules. It's not uncommon to be in a store looking at a clothes rack when several cell phones ring simultaneously around you and someone is talking on a phone. There are lots of shops, music, and museums. I loved the food which is Scandinavian but even if you don't like herring, cold cuts, and grav lox for breakfast, there are plenty of European and American restaurants to choose from.
On my last day, I was taking the trolly to work. Right after I got on, three young stinky drunk men got on. There were plenty of seats vacant but of course, one of them plunked down right next to me. I turned my head towards the window and tried to close off my sinuses without pinching my nose. I suddenly heard a "pop" and then, gulp-gulp-gulping as he chugged down a tall can of beer.
I wanted to move so I motioned that I needed to get up. He stood cross-eyed on wobbly legs as I slid out. As I was walking away, it suddenly dawned on me that I had left my gloves on my seat. I turned around to retrieve them and as I approached my "friend," I saw him lean over where I had been sitting and throw up all over my gloves. I decided against asking him to hand them to me. Later that day in Stockman's (a famous Finish department store), I treated myself to a new pair of nice leather gloves.
twenty-something years of "what have you been up to?" 
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