Noitapuisto - The Witch Park

Last weekend, I went exploring in Borgå (or Porvoo, as it is called in Finnish. Places in Finland have two names, one in Swedish and one in Finnish) It’s a beautiful little city-town which one of those charming “old town” sections to it. While tromping through the old town section, we came upon a small market square with stalls selling everything from wartime memorabilia, stamps, woolen socks, felted animals, jewelry, and these hand-crafted bags. They were being sold at a stall called Noitapuisto, which roughly translates to The Witch Park.

I fell in love with a tweed shoulderbag with whiskers, cat-ears, and a dangly little tail, but there were bags of all sizes. Some were big enough to carry everything but the kitchen sink, and others were custom-sized for iPods or mobile phones.

While there were also stuffed rats with soft woolen claws, the theme of cats was most prevalent. There were pins, and small stuffed toys, and a deliciously cute little box of mice. If I hadn’t had a two-digit number in my bank just then, I would’ve splurged and bought things left, right and center. When I finally managed to drag myself away from the stall, I came away inspired.