Helsinki Hotspot

Sat, Dec 7, 2019 at 8:06 AM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Travel
Hi Paul,
Remember I told you sometime back that I might be traveling to Finland? Well, the opportunity is finally here, and I am booked on Finnair AY 16 from New York to Helsinki on December 14th, coming Saturday. Imagine that! I, who has not even been to California in my 42 years, will now land in distant Helsinki. In fact, I have never been west of Chicago. :-(
I am so-so excited. Unfortunately, Dave could not take PTO from work and come with me. But he is wonderfully supportive and is assisting me with all my bookings.
My trip, as you might guess, is sponsored by an NGO. NIGOS. A human rights foundation in Finland. My work with the Rainforest Foundation here in New York seems to have caught the attention of NIGOS, particularly my work with Cecilio Cardozo of Paraguay. They want me to conduct training workshops for their remote and field workers, as well as their analysts.
I remember you have visited Finland several times. I tried calling you, but you seem to be out of the country, is that right? Forever somewhere exotic. Am I catching a little bit of that fever finally, or what?
I wanted to seek your advice on what clothing I should carry with me. Do email me when you can.
Regards,
Esther
Sat, Dec 7, 2019 at 16:36 PM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Re: Travel
OMG Esther,
Wow! Great news! When do you leave? Wait – you already told me, it will be this Sat.
Of course, it will be cold, but nothing that a New Yorker hasn’t dealt with already. I guess it will be just below 32 -- minus the roaring winds of the city. You know well how to deal with that.
But more importantly, let nobody discourage you that visiting Helsinki in winter is a bad idea. Just the opposite, Esther. Helsinki is quite enchanting in winter, especially in December. I trust you remember that Rovaniemi is the official home of Santa. :-) It is the capital of Lapland in Northern Finland. I believe the right terminology might be the Finnish Lapland. You will find Helsinki quite magical. Very picturesque. Some truly unusual capers to experience. I will tell you more later.
But the uniquely traditional experience in Finland is the Sauna. There are 5 million inhabitants in Finland, and there are over 3 million saunas – averaging one per household. Isn’t it crazy? Every household has a sauna! Imagine that. Most likely you will be invited into someone’s private sauna. If not, you can go to one of the good public saunas. I have tried one in the past; will give you the reference.
I am, unfortunately, in Santiago, Chile. So, you couldn’t reach me on my phone. But no worries! Email is a great way to stay in touch too. Give me all the details! I can’t wait.
Cheers,
Paul Sen
Sun, Dec 8, 2019 at 10:12 AM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Hotel
Paul,
They gave me a budget of EUR 100 per day for hotel, and Dave found me a great hotel -- Noli Sörnäinen – which is just 8 minutes away on foot from the NIGOS office.
Other than this I have made no preparations. Dave has an ex-colleague Boris, a Russian, who had moved to Finland a few years ago. Quite coincidentally, Boris suddenly called Dave to catch up. He was overjoyed to hear I was heading that way and promised to take good care of me, if anything was needed.
Your advice on clothing put me at ease. It will be just another NY winter, eh?
I really wish Dave was coming with me. They have given me a week at the end of my 2-week assignment, to go somewhere, anywhere, I choose. Of course, at my cost, and I have no idea what to do with this wonderful opportunity. I will be so lost on my own, and I am not adventurous enough to explore new places on my own. What would you suggest? Dave is pouring over the map of Finland looking for places he would have loved to visit.
Esther
Thu, Dec 12, 2019 at 13:06 PM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Re: Hotel
Esther,
I have never stayed at the Noli Sörnäinen but spent a couple of weeks in their sister hotel in the Ketajanokka area: the Noli Studio. It is meant for longer stay and a trifle frugal on luxuries, but wonderfully modern, technologically advanced (I loved it, naturally), and self-service in many ways. Like when I had first arrived rather late in the night, driving up from Tampere (oh, such a wonderful little city, but you won’t have the time to visit), I could check myself in entirely on my own and let myself into my room. Going by my experience with their little sister, I strongly suspect you will love their full-service Noli Sörnäinen. Let me know your experience. I like to keep tabs on hotels.
BTW – Hey Hey. Or, Hei Hei – to be more perfect. Yes, the Finnish people tend to repeat their hello. You will get used to it. In fact, they even say "Hei Hei" for goodbye. I am, unfortunately, not a language aficionado. I travel a lot but never seem to pick up new languages. You, on the other hand, already know Spanish at an expert level. So, you will know more about the Hei-Hei than me quite soon.
More about the sauna. Your hotel will most likely have sauna. The smaller Noli Studio did, and I take that as an indication that the Noli Sörnäinen will have one too – a much better one. But, it does not have the iced up sea. If that sounds odd, here is something odd-er still. The proper Finnish Sauna experience demands that you jump from the sauna into the frozen sea. Did I do it? Noooo. You know I abhor water except in the shower. But you definitely should. (Maybe I will too, one day.) So here is a strong recommendation. Do go to the Löyly Helsinki; it’s only 6.5 KM away; only 16 mins or so by a cab. I know you LOVE Google Maps. So here is your entire route from your hotel to the lovely Löyly. Knock yourself out. :-)
Your local friends might try to push you towards a traditional wood-heated sauna. The lovely Löyly is not one such, but you must not miss it. As you can see, it is right on the sea, and you can run (or walk or saunter, as you please) out of the hot sauna into the frozen sea. I even found an exact image on Pinterest (posted by one Audry Lee after her visit to Löyly) so that you know how it is going to be:
Here are some other things I liked in Helsinki that you might wish to try:
  • Visit the Fortress of Soumenlinna at the entrance to the Helsinki harbor. Dating back to the 18th century, it was Finland’s last line of defense, and features well preserved walls. I had been there in Summer and the top of the fortress walls were grassy. Right now, they will all be snow encrusted, and perhaps even more majestic. There is a good bit of walking you can do, if you wish. There are cute colorful cafes in wooden houses to warm up. The 15 min ferry ride will take you through the frozen seas at this time. I think it will be picturesque.
  • The bay will be frozen at this time. People walk around on the ice. You can too. In Tampere, cafes spring up on the ice where you can have a coffee or a beer but haven’t seen that in Helsinki yet. You must go to the Café Regatta by the bay, though. It is the thing to do after a walk on the bay. The sign there says it has been there since 1887.
  • Christmas Markets, of course. You cannot but bump into them. Do go to the one at Senate Square in front of the Helsinki Cathedral (a separate "must stop by" for the Helsinki tourist), in the Kruununhaka area. You will find it similar to what we have in Bryant Park in winter, minus the ice skating. But you will find a surfeit of the Christmas Spirit which I cannot explain in words.
  • A final suggestion from me, the Temppeliaukio Church, built into solid rock with rounded edges. Quite unique.
BTW -- don’t forget to ask for Lonkero, a special drink that Finland invented for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. It comes in various flavors. I like the one with Gin and Grapefruit.
With that, I leave you to prepare for this wondrous trip to the Land of a Thousand Islands.
Enjoy your flight. Safe travels.
Paul Sen
Sun, Dec 15, 2019 at 22:13 PM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: HELSINKI
Paul,
Finally, I am HERE.
I tried taking a shot of Manhattan out of from the window, but the best I have is this. Quite terrible, right? At least the Empire State is clearly discernible. I wish the downtown was in view.
When we landed, Helsinki in the afternoon was crystal clear. FINAVIA, it said. It was a thrill just to see the lettering. So, I took a quick pic.
It was also my first experience with adjusting the time. 2:25 PM, we were told, while my watch showed 8:25 AM. Lost six whole hours somewhere in flight. :-)
Timo Lindfors from NIGOS was there to receive me. He seems to have traveled quite a bit in Africa for NIGOS. Quite strangely, although I was very up and about in spirit, my body seemed tired despite the eight hours of immobility during flight. So, I was dozing off a little during the 30 mins drive. We seemed to be driving south from the airport towards the city. He took me straight to the hotel and helped me check in. Quite a nice, kind, well-meaning man in his 40’s. Speaks excellent English.
The hotel is quite unbelievably lovely, especially the fact that I have a corner room with gorgeous view out of two sides. See below.
I so wish Dave were here with me. He worries so needlessly. He must have called 7-8 times.
The weather is cool but not cold. It is not a concern at all if it is going to be like this in the low 30’s.
Dave’s Russian friend Boris called and introduced himself. I believe I have met him once at one of their office parties, but he seemed to remember me quite well. He lives in Helsinki and offered to meet me tomorrow after work. That might be nice.
Feeling quite tired now. But happy tired. Yohoo! I am in FINLAND. Finavia.
Good night.
Esther
Mon, Dec 16, 2019 at 02:11 AM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Re: HELSINKI
Esther: Welcome to Finland. Nice to see your enthusiasm. I think you are going to really enjoy Finland. Good luck.
Paul Sen
Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 21:19 PM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: At work and quite settled
Paul,
Quite a bit has happened in the last three days. All good. NIGOS is such a wonderful place, full of lovely and friendly people. The office is quite unlike our cramped office in NY. It is so spacious and almost artistically laid out. But very functional at the same time. All the desks are height adjustable and most people here seem to stand while they work, at least much of the time.
Here they serve breakfast and lunch for the whole office every day for around 20 people. I first thought it was being done especially for me, but then realized that is a regular feature here. Quite nice and very different from the coffee and donuts we normally serve in our offices.
Here office begins at 7:30 in complete darkness. The sun seems to rise around 9:30 or so. By the time office gets over around 5:00 PM, it is almost dark again.
My training sessions are keeping me quite busy. The people here really want to learn from me, and everyone speaks quite good English. I have become quite friendly with a couple of folks here, particularly (making sure I get the names right) Maija Kaurismäki and Mika Isola. They look after NIGOS’ activities in Nigeria and Kenya, respectively. Maija is quite funny, while Mika is so supportive. They both take good care of me. In fact, Maija has been picking me up every morning since the first day, while Mika drops me off at the hotel or wherever I want to go in the evening.
Dave’s Russian friend Boris met me for dinner the first evening. He is also extremely nice and caring. After dinner he took me to the Christmas Market at Senate Square. You are right. A bit of Bryant Park, but quite different and enchanting.
I never realized that Russia was right next door. Boris has suggested a 3-day trip to St. Petersburgh and made it sound really-really exciting. He says he can make all necessary arrangements. I am still inclined to spend my free week seeing Finland rather than go into Russia, though St. Petersburgh sounds exciting too. Russians are our sworn enemy, are they not?
Regards,
Esther
Thu, Dec 19, 2019 at 08:09 PM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Re: At work and quite settled
Esther,
Hahahahaha. Nooooo. Russians are NOT our sworn enemy. I am sure you were merely being facetious. If you do visit St. Petersburgh, you will probably find that Americans are especially welcomed by the locals.
I have never crossed into Russia and you are now making me wonder why I never took the 4-hour trip by train to St. Petersburg. A Russian diversion on a trip to Finland. I must admit I am intrigued and would probably have taken the detour.
But what about visa? Russia is not likely to give a visa to a "sworn enemy" from a 3rd country. I suspect you would have to apply in the U.S. Did Boris cast any light on this potential shadow?
Cheers,
Paul Sen
Sat, Dec 21, 2019 at 21:29 PM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Re: At work and quite settled
Paul,
I asked Boris about the visa and he has it under control. There is a 72-hour visa exemption for all tourists worldwide for St. Petersburgh and a few other locations, though only if you arrive in these designated areas on an approved cruise ship or by ferry. Boris says, and it is a very scenic 13-hour journey from Helsinki into St. Petersburg. He will organize everything. He said he knew people at the Russian Embassy in Helsinki who could be trusted to intervene, should there be any snafu with the travel regulations.
Dave also feels the Russian trip will double my Finland experience. You too felt tempted. My new friends Maija and Mika from NIGOS were also very encouraging. So, I have told Boris yes, and he said he would make all arrangements.
So that seems final. Imagine – Russia! I feel something in my tummy just thinking about it.
This evening I walked around quite a bit in the Mannerheimintie Boulevard area. Loved it. So different from the U.S. Here is one of the many pics I took.
Regards,
Esther
Sun, Dec 22, 2019 at 20:17 PM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Löyly
Paul,
Yay! I went to the Löyly with Maija. It was everything you said it would be and more. In particular, the dip in the frozen sea. Before I could even think twice, Maija had pulled me down the stairs – and it was quite an experience. I would do it again and again. The sauna was slightly hot for me and made my eyeballs feel a little strange, but nothing that hurt.
Afterwards we went to the Töölönlahti Bay, and although it was not as frozen solid as Maja said it would be in February, parts of it were safe to walk on and there were people walking around – even a cyclist on ice. Afterwards we went to the Regatta and had some hot chocolate. Crowded, though. There was a sign in front asking people to keep the door unblocked but nobody was paying attention.
Boris called while I was there and said he had booked me on the MOBY SPL ferry Princess Anastasia in a Deluxe cabin. He explained that the deluxe was not only for greater comfort but also for priority embarkation and disembarkation so that I will have to spend less time at the immigration lines. Princess Anastasia! Doesn’t it sound wonderful? I leave for Russia – imagine RUSSIA – on the 29th.
I only wish Dave were here. That would have made this a perfect adventure.
Regards,
Esther
Tue, Dec 24, 2019 at 20:17 PM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: St. Petersburgh
Esther,
Your office must be closed today and tomorrow for Christmas, though you do always say that life in an NGO is sometimes busy during the holiday season.
You have a lot to look forward to. I have never been to St. Petersburgh; so, there is nothing original that I can tell you; and regurgitating recommendations from TripAdvisor adds no value. Moreover, Boris is most likely going to book you a guided tour of the city.
Just wanted to wish you Happy Holidays on this promising Christmas Eve and safe travels to Russia. Can’t wait to hear about your foray into the Red country once you are back on U.S. soil.
BTW – it was good knowing your loved lovely Löyly and some of the other stuff I had suggested.
Cheers!
Paul Sen
Wed, Dec 25, 2019 at 08:11 AM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Re: St. Petersburgh
Paul,
Thanks. Happy Holidays to you too.
Indeed, we are working today half a day. NIGOS has Christmas parties for children in Africa and a range of other activities as well. So, the office is open, and we are working.
Boris has booked me the complete package so that my 72 hours in Russia is truly exploited to the hilt. So, I am not even looking into TripAdvisor, which anyway is your thing, as you have the wanderlust.
Regards,
Esther
Sat, Dec 28, 2019 at 11:01 AM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Work over, vacation starts
Hi Guys!
Instead of writing the same thing to the two of you, I thought I might email both your guys together.
NIGOS gave me a wonderful dinner last evening. At least ten of them came to dinner and we had a great time. They want me back here after six months. Isn’t that lovely? This time I will make sure Dave accompanies me. Dave: No excuses this time. You have six months to make it happen.
At dinner, I remembered Paul’s suggestion to try the local drink Lonkero and asked for it. They had the Gin and Grapefruit flavor and I loved it. Had two of them. :-)
Today Mika offered to take me around Helsinki one final time. So, kind of him, don’t you think?
Afterwards Boris will come to my hotel to hand over all tickets and paraphernalia and explain everything to me. I leave for Russia tomorrow evening, as it is a night ferry that will reach the Russian port around 9 AM the next morning, Boris said. Princess Anastasia, here I come.
Perhaps my next email will be from behind the now dismantled Iron Curtain. ;-) Provided wi-fi is readily available like we are used to.
Be good, Dave. Take care, Paul.
Esther
Mon, Dec 30, 2019 at 19:27 PM
From: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: VERY URGENT
Hi Paul,
Something terrible appears to have happened. I just had a Russian mobster show up in my apartment warning me not to try and contact Esther or Boris, and not to go to the police.
I know Esther has been in constant touch with you. ANY IDEA WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING? She appears to be in deep trouble, accidentally mixed up with the wrong kind of people. I can’t think straight.
Very, very worried. She is in acute danger and I am afraid to make any move here.
Dave
Mon, Dec 30, 2019 at 22:08 PM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: VERY URGENT
Dave,
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am totally in SHOCK.
She gave no indication of anything amiss. Her last email to me was on Saturday – to the both of us – confirming that she was taking the Princess Anastasia on Sunday evening. I have not heard from her after that.
What do you mean by a Russian mobster? What did he actually tell you?
Don’t you know where Esther would be staying – at which hotel? You should call and find out if she checked in.
Going to the police immediately might not be our best choice. Esther is obviously mixed up in something and might be in great danger. But whosoever has control over her, already has her and they have even done the research to know where you live. The U.S. police will probably have to reach out through the Interpol to the Russian police. It doesn’t look like a fast route to anything but more trouble. Of course, you need to do what you think is best for Esther. But my suggestion would be to wait until we know more. Are they demanding a ransom?
Paul Sen
Mon, Dec 30, 2019 at 22:19 PM
From: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: VERY URGENT
She never gave me any hotel details since she received her travel details from Boris pretty late. I could have called Boris for the details but now this latest situation makes me hesitate a bit.
A Russian ruffian is how I can best describe him. Spoke English with a thick Russian accent. He rang the bell, and I opened the door. He barged in and was very threatening in his words and gestures and even waved a gun at me. He said if I wanted to stay alive and see Esther again, I should not try to contact her or Boris, and should not go to the police. He took some photos of me and of the apartment and shouted some other threats which I could not understand. After the guy left, I sat in a daze for some time before emailing you. I was about to call, not the police, but NIGOS (I have their emergency contact number), when I received your email and have second thoughts about contacting anyone.
I agree with you that the people who have grabbed control over Esther cannot be reached by our police that easily. I am hesitant to call NIGOS now because they will most likely follow protocol and immediately contact the local police, which could enhance the risk to Esther.
There have been no demands. No ransom. I agree with you that until we know what these people want from us, we should sit tight at least for a few more hours.
Trying to stay calm.
Dave
Mon, Dec 30, 2019 at 23:04 PM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: VERY URGENT
Dave: No ransom. What could these people possibly want by holding Esther? Let me know the moment you hear anything. I am going stay awake all night. If I think of anything, will let you know immediately. Good luck.
Paul Sen
Mon, Dec 30, 2019 at 23:46 PM
From: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: VERY URGENT
Boris called. He has been threatened as well. He wanted to know whether I had contacted the police. I told him what I knew and asked him for the name of the hotel in St. Petersburgh where Esther is staying. But in his confusion, he could not locate any papers and drew a blank on the name of the hotel as well.
Somehow, he seems the most terrified of us all. He told me that the Russian Mafia was most dangerous, and Esther has somehow gotten mixed up with them unwittingly. I guess, being Russian, he knows about these crooks better than we do.
When I told him I wasn’t planning to call the police just yet, he thought that was a good idea. He said he will stay put as well until we know something about the demands of these people and then reach out to his friends at the Russian Embassy.
Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 00:16 AM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: VERY URGENT
Dave,
Boris is now aware of the situation. That is good because he is close to the scene and he had told Esther that he knew people at the Russian Embassy. That – hopefully – might be the quickest route to the source of the problem, though it is quite frustrating not knowing what these men want from us.
Good luck.
Paul Sen
Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 05:09 AM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: VERY URGENT
Anything?
Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 05:14 AM
From: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: VERY URGENT
Nothing yet. I am going CRAZY.
Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 05:31 AM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: From behind the Iron Curtain
Hi Guys!
It has been a fantastic trip into Russia so far. I am at the Belmond Grand Hotel, room 1150. Everything is within walking distance. I couldn’t figure out the wi-fi details last night and was too tired as well. This morning after breakfast I asked for help with the wi-fi and finally got online.
Princess Anastasia was comfortable, clean, and functional, rather than luxury. The deluxe accommodation provided easy embarkation and disembarkation, bypassing the long lines. I didn’t sleep half the night, staring at the frozen sea we were crossing. The ship seemed to be ramming its way through the ice but that must have been an illusion because except at the shore, the icing was quite sporadic and very thin. The sea was very calm, which ensured a comfortable journey.
The family in the next cabin was a Russian couple and extremely nice. We had time in the morning to chat quite a bit because quite oddly, although we entered St. Petersburgh around 9 in the morning, the tourists traveling on the 72-hour via-free program could only disembark at 2:00 PM for some reason. So, I had a leisurely breakfast with the Russian couple, Grigory and Anna. They had become Finnish citizens and now needed a visa to travel to Russia. They were attending a family wedding and, for that reason, had an inordinate volume of luggage with them. Since I had only a small carry on, they requested if I could carry two of their suitcases to shore, so that they faced less customs hassles, and I readily agreed. They hurried off to their wedding as soon as we went past immigration and customs but promised to meet up later.
Today the tour bus picks us up around 1 PM. I gotta go now.
Regards,
Esther
Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 05:47 AM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com, Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: From behind the Iron Curtain
Esther: Is that really you?
Dave: I am sure you would have called the hotel by now. Please let me know.
Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 06:10 AM
From: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: From behind the Iron Curtain
Hi Paul,
WHAT A RELIEF!!!!!!! It is her. Spoke with her at the hotel. She was completely unaware of anything amiss. So, I did not unduly alarm her as she was rushing out to catch her tour bus, but I cautioned her not to be very careful and not get overly friendly with anyone, and to call me as soon as she got back to the hotel.
So, what the heck do you think happened? Was this a sick joke? I think not, with Boris also receiving the same threat. Then it would have to be something to do with the two suitcases she carried through customs for the Russian couple. Some high-priced contraband must have been in those cases.
What do you think?
I called Boris immediately after hanging up with Esther, but he was unreachable.
I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE ALL THIS HAPPENED and I spent half the night in a daze thinking I might have lost Esther.
Dave
Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 06:29 AM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: From behind the Iron Curtain
Dave,
This is more puzzling that anything I can imagine. But the best thing is that Esther is safe and unharmed.
I tend to agree with you that those two suitcases must have contained some terrible contraband, which would have caused a whole lot of trouble for Esther had the contraband been detected. But it does not explain the threat to you and to Boris. You were in no position to interfere with her carrying or not carrying the suitcases for the Russian couple.
Puzzled. I am going stay off emails with her and let you handle the situation first.
Relieved beyond belief.
Paul Sen
Tue, Dec 31, 2019 at 06:10 AM
From: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Esther
Hi Paul,
She called me after her return to the hotel. I did not alarm her with all the details, though she seemed rather unnatural, quite concerned about me, and even a little distant. Must have been her fatigue or my imagination.
She seems safe, and happy. So, I left it at that. Let us update her with all the details after she returns to Helsinki.
Boris’ number is still unreachable.
Dave
Wed, Jan 1, 2020 at 05:05 AM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Re: From behind the Iron Curtain
Hi Guys!
Happy new year 2020. It’s already new year here while the ball drop hasn’t yet occurred in Times Square.
My days are busy here with sightseeing. The tour is very well organized. I am thoroughly enjoying St. Petersburgh.
Hope you both have some New Year plans.
I leave for Helsinki tonight.
Regards,
Esther
Wed, Jan 1, 2020 at 09:43 AM
From: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: Esther
Although there are still too many questions unanswered, I don’t care and have stopped thinking. Esther is fine and that is all that matters. I will be much happier when she is back in Helsinki.
Dave
Thu, Jan 2, 2020 at 11:33 AM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
To: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: TERRIBLE NEWS
DAVE!!!!
Boris is dead. I was forced to be the cause of another man’s death. This whole trip was sheer HELL.
Disregard all my emails from Russia. I wrote them under duress. They threatened to kill YOU if I did not do as they said. They showed me your photos in our living room to prove their point.
Are you OK, Dave? I called you almost endlessly as soon as I reached the hotel, but the calls went to your voicemail. PLEASE, PLEASE, call me at Noli Sörnäinen room 250 (not the old one). I am DESPERATE to know if you are fine. Paul, do you know?
I am still shaking. With excitement and joy that I could escape the hell into which I had plunged the moment the Princess Anastasia departed Helsinki. The Russian couple Grigory and Anna was real. But they didn’t make me carry any suitcase for them. They knocked on my cabin door soon after the ferry left shore and told me I was effectively their captive for the rest of the trip. They showed me your pics and told me that if I didn’t do exactly as they told me, I would never see you again. They were truly terrifying, and I had a total hell of a time from that time onward.
Boris was in on this. I heard them talk to Boris several times. I think it was about money. But something went wrong between them, and Grigory told me on the second evening that Boris tried to be too smart and had to be "eliminated."
They did check me into the Belmond Grand, but took me away immediately to a house on the outskirts of the city. There they made me a do a horrible thing, Dave.
You have heard me talk about Ceciio Cardozo in Paraguay. He is a local politician was who had initially wanted to cut down a swath of the Gran Chaco rainforest for industrialization. Between 1987 and 2012, Paraguay lost 17,000 square miles of rainforest to deforestation for various purposes led by Cecilio and others. I had a long and hard battle with Cecilio around 2015 but finally coverted him into an environmentalist who finally started reaping the economic benefits of the rainforest rather than destroy the natural resource. Cecilio had recently become the vice-president of Paraguay. Earlier this year Cecilio made me the only international board member of his Sociedad de Preservación de la Selva Tropical de Paraguay.
Someone wanted to assassinate Cecilio. From the papers and emails that nobody really tried to conceal from me, I figured out it was the Paraguayan People's Army. They forced me to send him an official email to attend an emergency meeting at our field office in the outskirt of Asunción on the 30th evening. He was surprised but readily agreed to attend the meeting.
From the rejoicing of the group afterward, I had to believe Cecilio was waylaid and assassinated. I just confirmed that through the leading Paraguayan newspaper ABC Color. I feel so so so awful nobody will understand.
Oh, Dave. Do call me soon. Please.
Esther
Thu, Jan 2, 2020 at 14:20 PM
From: Paul Sen paul.sen@npluszero.com
To: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
cc: Dave Whittaker dave.whittaker@ghamail.com
Subj: Re: TERRIBLE NEWS
Esther,
What are you saying!!!! What a horrible experience you went through. How this story keeps returning curve balls. There are a million questions in my head, but you first return to the U.S. without any more surprises. I believe your flight leaves tomorrow.
Let’s count our blessings. You are safe. You were coerced into cooperating with those people. Don’t take it too hard. You had no choices, and you did not know what was going to be the outcome of a simple meeting request.
Stay safe. Safe travels.
Regards,
Paul Sen
Thu, Jan 4, 2020 at 22:10 PM
From: Esther Whittaker esther.whittaker@dripmail.com
Subj: Mika
Paul,
I am back home. It’s like a dream to be back with Dave in our own little nook. Lots of stuff to write. But not just yet.
Maija and Mika came to see me about my St. Petersburgh experience yesterday. I had to fake some stories. Couldn’t tell them the truth which must lie buried with us.
Afterward, Mika was so nice. He dropped me off at the airport for my flight. As I was about to go through Security, I looked me in the eye with a strange sympathy, and said very clearly, "There was nothing you could have done. Cecilio had it coming anyway."
I am still laughing quite insanely.
Regards,
Esther