Why a Library Made Me Cry: Helsinki Day 4 Oodi Library

I cried in a library…

But we’ll get to that a bit later.

The day started with a short six minute walk from our Airbnb to the Café Ekberg. There, we enjoyed the buffet breakfast including some type of omelet that I’d never had before (but would definitely eat again). There was also some type of floral pastry that tasted of lavender and sugar. I ate two. I also enjoyed two cups of coffee to really get the party started.

It was also during this breakfast that I really started to notice how often people stared at me. Of course, what I came to realize was that they were not just staring at me. Sorry, Ego. Instead, they would often just stare at the other diners in the restaurant because… they didn’t have their phones.

That’s right. All of the diners in this (and the majority of other restaurants we visited while in Helsinki) did not have their phones on them. So, when they’re fellow tablemates went off for a bathroom trip or a second round at buffet Ekberg, they simply sat and looked out at the other diners.

I tried to not look at my phone as well during this time and found that I was doing the same. Just a small observation, but still quite interesting.

After that, it was time to walk to the Oodi library. This had been recommended to us by one of the parents of the children who attends my mom’s preschool. She’s originally from Finland.

I’d looked up a picture of it and had been immediately impressed by its stunning modern architecture, but to be honest, wasn’t really expecting more than a contemporary structure.

I was gravely underestimating this place.

Upon arrival, we were awed by its glass shape, but went inside with no expectations really. To be real with y’all: for someone who has always loved to read and write as much as I do, I’ve never really enjoyed libraries. Though I’ve always wanted to visit places like the Oxford Library, the truth is that libraries have always felt a bit stale to me.

This was something completely different. Reading the directory, we decided to head up to the 3rd floor where the children’s books, fantasy and sci-fi novels are. Heading up the escalator, it was like being in an Apple story only less, well, affected. At the top, we found ourselves immersed in a world where children came to play, read, be with each other, and where parents came to relax and hang out with other parents.

There was a coffee bar where adults were ordering their beverage of choice as children were running around with each other nearby. The weird thing is that none of it felt out of control or chaotic. The children were playing quietly. Respectfully.

Along the sides of the building were wooden seats and structures. Kids were sliding down on the sides while others read on the wooden steps and others used laptops to work on projects.

No one was shushing. No one was disturbed. And the kids were all really enjoying themselves. I think my favorite sight were the little babies who were crawling around with each other, while the parents read or chatted.

It was so beautiful, fun, relaxed, and filled with literary adventures that I started to cry (and this wouldn’t be the only time while I was in this building). If this had been what libraries had been like when I was growing up, I would have loved nothing more than spending weekends—with or without friends—hanging out in the library.

Even now that I’m older! I could totally picture myself calling a friend and saying, “hey, want to go to the library today?” As in the whole day. Like that could be our plan for a Saturday afternoon.

To quote my dad, “Wow! I could have been smart.”

Okay, so now down to the second floor. We head down a winding staircase this time with words written in all different languages until we reach the floor below. On the directory, this floor had been listed as the “workspaces” and “studios.” Not sure what that meant, we walked slowly around the space.

Again, wooden stairs were lightly dappled with a variety of different people reading, working on computers, a group of pre-teens giggling at their phones, etc. To the left, a series of computers were lined up on a desk where people were sitting next to each other working on their respective projects.

There was chatting and movement, yet no one was disturbed.

Further to the left was a hallway where the bathrooms were—which I, of course, had to use.

After doing what one does in the bathroom, I came out to wash my hands where I found a faucet that looked like an airplane. Confused, I shoved my hands underneath. I was thrown off by the flood of air that rushed down at me. That’s when I realized that these were perhaps the most efficient sinks that we would ever come across… not only did they have a sensor faucet but also the hand dryer was built into the faucet.

Coming out of the bathroom, I found my parents waiting for me and pointing to the small rooms that were listed as “studios.” And that’s what they were!

Each little room was a rentable space that served a specific purpose. There were recording studios, video studios, meeting rooms, presentation rooms, and video game rooms. It was incredible. There was some sort of soundproof insulation on the recording rooms as well, so they were perfect for their tasks. I think this is when I cried again. It was just such a beautiful representation of dedication to creativity, innovation, pursuing those interests that may or may not be within your career path.

The funny thing was that the video game rooms weren’t full. People were choosing to do a variety of tasks.

After that, we went one floor down and sat at the coffee bar where a tray of lunch menu options was being wheeled down. Pasta salads and sandwiches were laid out on the cart.

Of course, this is when my dad lost his hat (we’ve all lost something on this trip at least once because #McKillops), but someone had turned it into the lost and found back on the third floor and we could move on worry free.

By far, I think that that was the most incredible thing I’ve witnessed during this trip (though I’m about to meet the huskies, reindeers, and maybe catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights so more tears of joy may be in my future).

From the library, we walked through the Helsinki train station and down to the ice-filled water where we bought our Ferry tickets to Suomenlinna. A set of islands that was once owned by the Swedes and served as a military fortress.

It was an incredible hour of exploring the two main islands, learning a bit about the Naval and Military history there, and seeing the city from across the water. What was incredible was the fact that it was sunny while we were on this island while across the sea, we could tell that Helsinki was still covered in a gray cloud of snow and rain. It makes sense that this island location is well known as an ideal picnic spot during spring and summer.

Once back, we stopped in at a little design pop-up shop near Stockmann’s where I found a few gifts for friends as well as a Finnish fox sweatshirt for myself. Oh, am I still wearing it? Why, yes. Yes, I am.

Then it was back to the Airbnb to do a bit of laundry before our reservation at Grön, the Finnish restaurant that I had wanted to go to since first booking this trip. I’d been hoping to find a place that featured foraged delicacies and upon reading about Grön on a website about the best restaurants in Helsinki (and I admit after looking at the expertly styled food pics on their website), I chose it as our destination.

While my parents changed into matching white turtlenecks and jeans (something they did not notice until I pointed it out), I happily put on my new Finnish sweater.

Then, lying down, I started to feel extremely nauseated. It was terrible and didn’t get better. I was horrified! I’d been looking forward to this dinner the entire time and now I felt like I was going to throw up.

Still, when the time came to head out, I was determined to go and set out.

Another fact to note is that I’ve been doing “Dinner Club” for a while now—a night when friends and I pretend we’re rich and enjoy fine dining experiences at the horror of our wallets, but my parents aren’t really the fine dining type…

They’re more like a chicken katsu plate lunch from L&L type couple.* So I was a bit nervous about what this experience would be like.

These fears were not quelled when we first, walked right past the restaurant without evening noticing it; second, sat down and my dad immediately noticed that the chefs ate some of the food with their hands before continuing to plate.

Oh, god, I thought, is this going to be an entire night of my dad complaining about how overpriced, unsanitary, and dumb the food is??

Did I mention that we were seated at the table right next to the kitchen. As in, the chefs were so close they could have an extended an arm to touch us.

This was also not helped by the fact that I still felt extremely nauseated.

When the waitress came around and asked whether we wanted sparkling or still water, I called out sparkling a bit too quickly. However, it was well worth it as the bubbles filled my stomach and I immediately felt better.

And the experience only continued to improve from there.

Maybe it was the magic of the fantastic wine (a red blend from Tuscany), but my dad immediately got on board with the experience. We started with naturally leavened sourdough bread made in the restaurant’s bakery down the street. It came with the fluffiest butter I’ve ever had in my whole life, a hemp salsa, and some sort of powder with pumpkin seeds. I was divine. Next came a vegan onion empanada, delicately wrapped and beautifully prepared. This was topped with Sorrel leaves and a specific sauce that they created both for my parents’ meat menu and my own vegan menu. Next was a beetroot paddy with foraged leaves and a fantastic sauce as well. This was followed by a little concoction made from leftover ingredients that had been foraged as well as grown at the restaurant’s farm. We placed this into a set of leaves from their farm and ate it “like a little taco.” After that, the main course! Mine was a celeriac root surrounded by cabbage and kale. My parents enjoyed cod in the same treatment of vegetables. I almost died in my seat.

The celeriac root melted in my mouth with the savory sauce on the kale and cabbage, expertly designed on the plate by the chefs, meticulously placing each leaf down on the plate.

What was even more impressive was the fact that each chef who’d prepared the dish came to explain each one to us. They shared not only what the meal item was and how it was prepared, but also where they’d sourced the ingredients.

We were blown away. Absolutely blown away!

And it makes sense… they have a Michelin star.

Of course, the #McKillops aka the bozos, had no idea that they had a Michelin star. And, when we noticed the sign in the bathroom, thought it was a joke because we had no idea that Michelin stars were related to the Michelin tire man (who is featured on the Michelin star sign)...

Oh, and my mom’s turtleneck was inside out.

But, whether you’re classy or regular old folks like us, we couldn’t recommend this experience more. It was absolutely incredible and my dad claims that he’d give up three katsu curries for a meal at Grön again.

After that, it was a short walk back to the Airbnb where we cleaned up and I enjoyed some time in the sauna before setting my alarm and falling asleep for a early morning wake up for our flight to Ivalo.

*L&L barbecue is a local style plate lunch plate in Hawaii. What these plates consist of are rice, breaded chicken, macaroni salad, and probably a soda of some type.