| This is Rotuaari, Oulu's walking district. The original plan was to enclose the area for climate control, but simply blocking the streets off proved to be more economical and more nature-oriented. The Center is marked by The Ball (left), located in Rotuaari. This is the first Oulu landmark that international students should learn. It will often prevent being lost in a strange city, which is no fun at all. | |
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Three of Oulu's other well-known landmarks are the Oulu Cathedral (top left), the old salt storage houses which are now mostly tourist shops (bottom left), and The Dough Boy Policeman, as affectionately dubbed by the Internationals (right). |
| Here is a typical Oulu intersection. Notice the different modes of transportation: bus, car, bicycle, and walking. All are common in Oulu. I prefer walking or taking the bus, personally, as I have no car or bicycle with me in Finland. :) |  |
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Finally, we come to the market square. Located on the water front, it is the home of the Oulu Theater, the Oulu Public Library, Tervasoihtu (the location for weekly international social gatherings; pictured left), The Dough Boy Policeman, many tourist shops, and the Fish Market (pictured right). I never did buy any fish there, but their doughnuts are excellent, and they give out free samples of reindeer jerky if you come on the right day. |
| If you're lucky, you might get a chance to see the Northern Lights while you are in Oulu. The best display I ever saw was in September just after an international meeting at Tervasoihtu. The bar emptied out completely when we all realized what was going on outside. |  |
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Leaving Oulu on excursions is great fun. To do that, you'll need the Oulu Train Station, where students always travel at half price! |