Fall Break--Baltic Bikini Bash (Tallinn pt. 2)

While checking out the menu at the Czech pub, we were approached by a girl who asked us in English if we were here for the meeting and if we had any trouble finding the place. Yeah of course, sorry we're late. After a few beers it became clear that we had stumbled into a tandem language meeting and since we were a native French, German, and English speakers, we were very welcome. We traded stories with some of the locals and other Erasmus students about our hometowns and current university. After about two-and-a-half beer's time we were led across the street for some traditional Estonian dancing.

"Yeah, sorry we're late...did we mention he is from France, and why yes, that is an American accent. Czech beers on tap? Don't mind if I do."

Pumpin' out the phat tunes!

We went then to a rugby-pub and traded email's and phone numbers while enjoying some very fine Estonian beers and cider and then on to Club Hollywood for ladies' night. Pole-dancing, butt-shaking and a fist fight or two followed--East European style.

In the morning, we left city center for Pirita about 20 minutes by bus. There we found the ruins of St. Bridgett's convent at sunset. Across the highway we found the beach and some brave kiteboarders and windsurfers taking advantage of the strong sideshore winds.

Tallinn's has a surf shop?!?

After hanging out on the beach for as long as we could stand the cold we headed south to this monument and great view of the city during sunset.

It was time to find some traditional Estonian food at a resaurant with the word "grandma's" in its namesake. Beef and potatos are best digested with more Estonian beer.

Fall Break--Baltic Bikini Bash (Tallinn pt. 1)

Tallinn, Estonia

With my exam finished, it was time to cut loose and get to know our neighbors to the east. From Arlanda Int'l two of my friends and I caught a Norwegian flight to Tallinn, Estonia. 45 minutes later I was trading in my Swedish kronor for Estonian kroons. I had this image of old Ladas zig-zagging between potholes through soviet-style block houses. This idea was quickly lost as I saw brand new Land Rovers and Hummers book past me as I stood on a very wide, American-feeling thoroughfare. I was also surprised to find Tallinn's old town is one of the best preserved medieval walled cities. After checking in to the Hostel, we headed out to snap some great city-pictures.


Tallinn was once one of the largest ports in the Hanseatic trading league. The German influence is noticible when you first enter the old town through a more-less well preserved gate. The various controlling forces have left watermarks on the city--a layer-cake of German and Russian influence. The "Toompea" is the hill from which the dominating powers watched over the walled city below. It is still a center for government and religion. Here you can see both the Lutheran Cathedral, Toomkirk and Russian Orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. There is also the Estonian parliamentary building and governor's palace.


For me, it was really exciting. The old town isn't cheesy in a disneyworld recreation way nor is it paved over by overzealous developers. It gives you a sort of that old room you've been meaning to fix-up and now that you have some money you can start feel to it. The cobblestone streets and iron window fixtures were touchable and accessible rather than forced or fake-feeling.


Quite excited for nightfall, we headed back towards the hostel. Only a quick stop at the Czech beer pub to grab a pilsner and a bite.

City Pictures

A slow news day due to exam week

pictures from Stockholm Sept/Oct

Kunliga Tekniska Hogskolan (KTH) -- campus

2 weeks difference from as seen by my front door


view from Norra Djurgården

Gamla Stan (old town)

centralen

Stockholms Stadion (summer Olympics 1912)
D.I.F. Djurgården soccer match

View of Gamla Stan and Djurgården from cliffs in Södermalm

Vanadislunden (Vanadis "Freja's" park)

Sofia Kyrka

Norrmalm

the special bus (#20?)

avg. temperature = 54/48 to 50/42
special bus had a flat tire