Lay Day

A lay-day in anticipation of a rather frenetic one tomorrow. Rolled out of bed late, and wandered down to the Helsinki City Museum for a wander through. It was interesting, but the only thing they could think of to mention since the end of the second world war was hosting the 1952 Olympics, which seems to have involved the whole city and been quite a watershed in their history. It seems that the Olympics have been the only thing of note for country in the last 50 years. Oh, and they joined the E.U.

Around 4900 athletes competed in 17 sports, and is remembered for two major reasons. Firstly, the USSR was readmitted, created their own Olympic village with other eastern bloc nations, and chaperoned all their athletes to avoid defections. The games turned into a symbol of east versus west supremacy and many events became a slugfest. Hungary came third in the medal count! Secondly, Coca-cola was offered and given away free to all athletes, which was the start of the corporate sponsorship and the official supplier regime that we know today.

Took the metro out to a large shopping centre for the afternoon to do something 'normal', though we can't buy anything of size as we have no room to carry it.

Lazed around in the beautiful sunshine for the rest of the afternoon reading and talking.