More plans

My cold is slowly getting better, but very slowly, indeed.
So no going to the lovely beaches in Helsinki (heatwave in Europe is including Finland), nor sightseeing or museums either, but checking my travel kit (there's so much you don't actually need and might leave at home), and trying to get papers sorted out for claiming some reimbursements for the delayed luggage.
Remember my huge bag was left behind in Brussels, and I had to go to Copenhagen Airport to collect it? Well, Virgin Express had not answered any of my mails so far, and since the European law says claims must be sent by mail within 21 days, it was getting a bit late to do so. But with the help of some HC-friends, above all dear Elsis, and the nice people working at the Helsinki library and post office, I made it just in time.
I had had no time at Suomenlinna to talk with Elsis on her travel plans around the Baltics and Poland, but we had thought about meeting sometime somewhere, so had settled for a chat and a pizza during her lunch break. We met under the balls, and went to this posh, but very cozy italian restaurant with an "all-you-can-eat" offer for only 9,90 €. Food was great, and being with Elsis was fun, as always.
It seems August will be a very busy partying month in the Helsinki HC-community, because a few are moving to other countries - Elsis to Riga for a year -, and even more are coming to stay for some days, weeks or even years. This is so like my tough luck! I'm leaving, and the fun starts. ;-)
But I had made up my mind to go to Riga and visit Antra, and this wonderful woman will be waiting for me tonight, however late we might come by car all the way from Tallinn, and will host me for three weeks (!).
So I'm packing again, dragging my two bags to the ferry station to meet Pulina and some more travelers from Helsinki to Tallinn, take the car to Riga, and then join the Painting Party. Where we will meet Dovi from Vilnius (she will host me later in August), and Lari, my traveling host, plus so many more we know through chat, meetings and the forum.
Not much space left for painting by then, I guess, but lots of partying still going on! :-)