The land of trees

I am now in Finland, proving that PhD life is about travelling around, meeting people, and stimulating exciting research. I am quite good at the first two, but the third is more difficult!

As the plane landed in Helsinki on Sunday afternoon, the first thing I noticed was the shear volume of trees in this country. The scenery looks particularly pleasing from the air because of so few built-up areas. I made my way to the train station, after a kind lady got me on the right bus, and arrived in plenty of time before the next train. I wandered around what seemed like a ghost town — I guessed that it was quiet because it was Sunday. The weather though was quite warm, with beautiful sunshine, and I sat drinking a coffee whilst adding to my Taiwanese and English tan. I felt pleased that I hadn't brought many clothes.

The train pulled up on-time and looking very big and shiny. This train was a double-decker! I got on and began looking for my seat, walking through nice restaurant areas and what looked like first class. However, by the time I found my seat, which was on the top deck, I realised that the whole train looked like first class — so this was obviously the standard in Finland. I was impressed. It was spacious, comfy, and quick too. Then I remembered the cost of the ticket: over 100 euros for a return (nearly £70) and so I decided the trains should be good at this price!

I arrived in Joensuu at 9pm and was met by a professor and a researcher that I had met in Taiwan. On the train I had observed trees for 5 hours, interspersed with the occasional lake, and then watched the sunset through the trees on the horizon. If Thailand is the land of smiles, then Finland is definitely the land of trees.

Next day we went to the University, I got a quick tour and was introduced to more people than whose names I can recall. We soon got down to some 'stimulating research', but I won't bore you with that. The only exciting thing was that I got thrown into a meeting to give some demonstrations in the afternoon. In the evening we had a little party and played a game that I will introduce to you Warwick people when I get back. ;)

Before I begin my 'stimulating research' today, I must tell you about my experience of Finnish bicycles. Yesterday, we rode bicycles to University — they are much more common in Finland than in England, and the paths are very big to make room for both pedestrians and cycles. So I was going to borrow a bicycle and was given a key to unlock it. Well I took a look at the bicycle and it appeared to already be unlocked, so I just stood around waiting. My friend looked at me a bit strange and told me I needed to unlock it. What lock? It turns out that nearly all bicycles have a lock built-in to the rear wheel — very compact and clever! After this I was on my way, and heading down a hill so I squeezed the single brake. Nothing happened. This worried me a little, so I dragged my feet along the floor to slow down and eventually came to stop before the junction. I probably would have not said anything had I been in Thailand, but I was surprised that these clever Finns rode bicycles with no brakes. As we were riding along the next rode I told Ilkka that the brakes were not very good on this bike (British understatement of the year). "Try pedaling backwards", he said. Sure enough, I came to an abrupt stop. Fiendishly clever these Finns!