Latvia – USA 1 – 4

Latvian flag and US flag
The US and the Latvian national hockey teams were playing an early round game in the World Championship in hockey that is currently held in Helsinki and Stockholm (May 3 -19 2013). The championships are split between the two cities the same way it was last year with the finals being played in the bigger arena in Stockholm, Sweden on May 19.

US Goalie Ben Bishop is getting ready for the game to start.
US Goalie Ben Bishop is getting ready for the game to start.
Game start
Game start

 

The game started out pretty uninspired and I can’t say that it was a very well played game from either side. One should keep in mind that these are the national teams and it was the second game in the tournament at least for the US, the guys are probably not used to each other at this point since the opportunities to train and play  together have likely been very limited. Despite all that the US did what they needed to and were expected to do and won the game. This, despite the fact that it took a whole period and some to get any goals going, and the first goal was a Latvian goal. The US quickly came back, evened out and got ahead. After that there was never really any question which way the game was going. The Latvian fans lived up to their reputation of being among the loudest ones around, banging their drums and sounding their horns even long after all hope of being able to pull off an  upset should have evaporated. I think this was a positive – at least in the face of victory.

US Head Coach Joe Sacco
US Head Coach Joe Sacco

 

2013 World Championship mascot, wearing half Finnish/half Swedish colors.
2013 World Championship mascot, wearing half Finnish/half Swedish colors.

 

Team USA captain Paul Stastny.
Paul Stastny is the team captain of team USA. He currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL. He is of Slovak descent and he is the son of Hall of Fame Hockey player Peter Stastny and his uncles Anton and Marian Stastny both played in the NHL in the 1980’s.
US Forward Drew LeBlanc with the puck
US Forward Drew LeBlanc with the puck.

 

 

 

 

May Day Celebrations all over Europe under way right now.

Mayday Demonstrations in Helsinki, Finland May 1 2013
Mayday Demonstrations in Helsinki, Finland May 1 2013

Mayday or May 1 is traditionally a day when Labor organizations all over Europe have their day to walk in processions with signs spelling out their different demands or things they would like to affect changes in (demonstrations). In Helsinki Finland today there were many such events taking place with gatherings in some off the different town squares all over this beautiful city. The day was a perfect one, though maybe a tad windy, but the sun was shining down on everyone and the skies were nothing but blue – quite enjoyable.

Mayday precession in Helsinki on May 1 2013.
Mayday procession in Helsinki on May 1 2013.

Maybe this guy above right was here to cheer on the guy below.

 

Helsinki PD Motorcycle Unit.
Helsinki PD Motorcycle Unit. He is riding a Yamaha.

 

Mayday precession in Helsinki on May 1 2013.

Mayday procession in Helsinki on May 1 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jazzfest?? Naah – just FEST…

Havis Amanda by Ville Vallgren
Havis Amanda is a sculpture by Ville Vallgren, constructed in Paris 1906 and put in place near the Market Square in Helsinki in 1908. Vallgren stated that the maiden rising out of the Baltic symbolises the birth of Helsinki. Another symbol may be found in the Swedish flag that can be seen in the background. The flag is flown from the Swedish embassy just a “stone-throw” away. Each year, as part of the student celebrations – Amanda gets a new (student-) hat

Helsinki Finland is about 5200 miles east of New Orleans Louisiana, where Jazzfest is right now underway (April 26 – May 5 http://www.nojazzfest.com/). There are not really any similarities when compared to what goes on in this part of the world at the end of April. Traditionally in the Nordic countries there is a celebration of the arrival of spring. In Sweden for example there are bonfires and especially in the University town of Uppsala there are extensive student celebrations happening on the very last day of April. In Helsinki the celebrating is also extensive and especially so “student celebrations” – young and old.  The more yellow stains your white capped student hat has – the higher the status of the person wearing it is.

 

Helsinki Police departments Mounted  Detail.
Helsinki PD is ready for the crowds, it looked pretty troublefree to me though. Just in case I suppose.

 

Crowds gather to celbrate
Crowds gather for the traditional celebration of the arrival of spring in Helsinki Finland on the last day of April 2013.

 

Student orchestra on top of van.
Student orchestras are a big part of the celebration.

 

Tailgating band members in uniform.
The band is tailgating.

 

A few people in a skylift high up above the crowds.
These guys are getting a good view from up top.

 

Another picture of the big crowds attending the festivities.
Another picture of the big crowds attending the festivities.

Even the CHP (California Highway Patrol) had a unit at the ready in Helsinki on 4/30/2013.  It would seem like budget cuts are not one of the CHP’s concerns.

California Highway Patrol unit in Helsinki on 4/30/2013
California Highway Patrol unit in Helsinki on 4/30/2013

Mom abdicates, Willem-Alexander becomes king.

Willem-Alexander_04302013

The news in Europe today has been somewhat dominated by the enthroning of the first king in the Netherlands since 1890 after his mother Queen Beatrix abdicated today. The ceremony is being broadcast on many television stations throughout Europe. In Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam the ceremony is now underway to enthrone the new king and celebrations were ongoing in Amsterdam and other parts of the country. Many people were wearing orange colored pieces of clothing since this is the color of the house of Oranje, the current ruling dynasty’s color. One can certainly discuss the merits of having the monarchy system in these times, it clearly seems out of  the times to me, thoough this particular and many other Royal families still have a wide support among their “subjects”. The ceremony was not a crowning of the new king, but just an enthroning because the Netherlands does not crown their kings. The new king wants to be known as “a man of the people” and has said that people do not need to address him in any certain manner (your royal highness) but can call him by his name if they want to.