Suomenlinna

A sea fortress on a cluster of islands in the Baltic Sea, Suomenlinna contains both historical importance and natural beauty. Surrounded by a close-knit community, the fortress is beloved by Finnish natives and tourists alike. It is a place I found to be serene and calming.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of Finland's independence, many of the museums on the islands are free to visitors. Because the ferry rides are included in my travel card, I decided to spend a couple afternoons in Suomenlinna. It was at this location where I felt connected to myself and my environment the most. I ate at a cafe, walked through a submarine, and ventured through the different sections of the fortress. However, my favorite place, on the island and within the region of Helsinki, is above the fortress, among the rocks of the the Baltic Sea.

The world feels still, as if time stops. The wind and the waves seem to be the only forces unaffected by the ceasing of time. My anxiety and tension blew from my soul with each gust of the breeze. The air was quiet. I felt as if I was the only person on the island. For the first time in my life, I felt truly free and at one with every part of me. I did not worry about the future, all of my obligations and responsibilities, and the doubts. I knew that everything would work out for the best. I had faith in myself, my hard work, and my destiny. For someone who is afflicted by anxiety, this feeling was something for which I had been waiting. Suomenlinna taught me that this state of mind and soul is possible for me. No longer is it a hope or dream, but it is part of my reality.

For hours I sat along the water's edge, immersed in golden flowers. I wrote, I napped, I reflected, and enjoyed the moment. I placed my feet into the water and saw a swan pass by. I made a flower crown while lounging with a village cat. I meditated, and then I wandered. I saw the collaboration between human and nature. The old man-made fortress, once a place for war, has become a safe haven for peace and tranquility. Children roam the stone paths and bask in the moments we all wish would last forever. No fear clouds their minds. They feel safe; and I, too, felt the safest I had ever been.