The Wi-Fi is slow but it works; and the ship is crowded and noisy — but I gots me a window seat and a couple of bottles of water after having to stand in line for at least 20 minutes prior to boarding the huge vessel.
Yes — I wrote “I gots me”. I am not feeling grammatically correct right now.
Boy, It Sure is Crowded Aboard This Ship to Estonia
I am aboard the M/s Finlandia — a ship operated by Eckerö Line — as I start my journey southward from Helsinki through the Baltic countries.
There are slot machines aboard for those who are inclined to partake in a little gambling. Someone was belting out More Than a Feeling by Boston as it somehow sliced through the cacophony of the crowd before a guitarist sang live cheesy renditions of Baby I Love Your Way and Blowin’ in the Wind next to his tip bucket. He totally brutalized Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door while the guy seated near me indicated that he is going out for a smoke. Ice is being crushed at the bar as patrons imbibe in their chosen libations. I feel like I am on a floating Las Vegas — except that one does not find seagulls scavenging for food out in the desert.
By the way, can you find the Easter Bunny in the photograph shown above?
After returning from his smoke, he offered to get me a beer with gestures, as he understood very little English.
“No thank you”, I said as I gestured with my arms.
“Drink?” he asked, offering me a different beverage.
“No”, I smiled graciously, grateful of his generous offer.
Summary
I have no intention to explore the vessel — lest I chance possibly losing my choice seat by the window; but it beats having to pay more for a flight where I would have to pass through a security checkpoint at the airport.
The ride was slow but rather smooth over calm waters.
Farewell to thee, Helsinki. I will impart the good times we had together in future articles here at The Gate.
All photographs ©2017 by Brian Cohen.
