This last weekend I went to Helsinki. It was my first time in Finland, and it was fabulous. Monumental buildings, a ferry across an icy harbour, friendly locals, a culture devoted to design. The food was fantastic: bright flavours, fresh (and I’d dare to say just about every meal we had there was better than just about every meal we ate in Venice when we went at Christmas: so there, Silvio Berlusconi). We came home with a case full of goodies such as crowberry jelly, sea buckthorn muesli, and lingonberry jam, as well as several heavy rye loaves and some super glass dishes I found in thrift stores. The Finns make beautiful glassware, and I love beautiful glass. The language is fascinating: all those double vowels in combinations I’m unused to.

So Finland was everything I wanted it to be, and more, since I first read Moominsummer Madness some decades ago. It was a dream come true. I’m still processing it, and writing an ongoing ‘I Remember Helsinki’ and having fun with it.

For this week’s experiment, write in whatever form you like about a dream come true, real or otherwise. Use all the senses: sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and physical sensations.