Tallinn take two

I definitely did not log as many steps today, though my phone says 23,042 steps and 8.6 miles.

I forgot to mention that yesterday I spent time in the City Center and Roterman Quarter.

Today I walked through the Old Town to get to the Kalamaja area. I started off walking through the neighborhood area where people lived. I was almost at the water, when I met a much older gentleman named Leonard who came up to me beaming asking me where I was from. We had a long conversation, and he gave me some pointers on getting places quicker. He asked me about Donald Trump, and we had a long conversation. He was a very happy, friendly person. He told me not to worry about Trump because in 4 to 10 years, things will settle back how they are supposed to be. He talked about something big putting on its breaks. It takes a while to come to a full stop, and we have a long history outside of the current administration. He also told me to focus on being happy. He was like don’t let outside influences impact your happiness. He also suggested I start my own business. That way, I would have multiple income sources and weather any storm. He encouraged me to come in June when the weather is warmer and there are concerts outside or in December if there is snow. I really enjoyed talking to him. My guidebook said most Estonians are very reserved, so be cautious when someone comes up to you being friendly. And even more cautious if they invite you to a club or a drink. But I didn’t get any weird vibes from him. Plus he was much older, so I felt more like he liked talking to people. He reminded me of the man I met on the light rail Saturday. He has never met a stranger.

After we said our goodbye, I walked to the waterfront and took a stroll down the water area. I walked toward the cruise terminal. I was close to it when a ship left, but I was not at an angle to get a good shot. I then backtracked and went to Telliskivi Creative Center. I would love to stay closer to that neighborhood next time I come. It’s still very close to Old Town, though not as close as I am now.

When I was walking around, I saw a guy spraying art on a wall, so I asked him if I could take his picture. We started talking. He moved here from the Netherlands (Holland) seven years ago. He said when he moved here, the neighborhood was not like this. There was one restaurant, but over the past six years, the rest of it was built up. We exchanged business cards because we both write. He does graphic design and street art. He said he has more opportunity to explore that here than back home.

But the area was pretty cool. What were abandoned factory buildings have been converted into shopping areas. You name it, it’s there. Food. Cafes. Bars. Artist studies. Clothes. There was actually a restaurant I wanted to try there, but I was still pretty full from breakfast. There were a lot of stores and restaurants. It would be cool to explore them building by building, one by one.

I then made my way back to the Old Town and wandered on some of the side streets. It’s basically a maze. My approach to travel is pretty basic. I study a map, and I head in that general direction I should be going. Then it all works itself out. I can’t do that here because the streets cut off and verge in unexpected directions. Like when I did the guidebook walk yesterday, I had to pay attention to the street names. It’s been a different experience.

I sense a life lesson. My life has always just come together. My believe has always been things will work themselves out, and I will end up where I am supposed to at the right time. I was chuckling thinking maybe I need to plan and focus more. I have been trying more visualization.

As always, I will edit when I get home!

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Tallinn take one

After I got settled in last night, I went to bed round 9:00. I woke up feeling so refreshed, and I thought surely it had to be 4 or 5 something. Negative. It was 1:00. I laid there for hours, and I finally drifted off right when it was time to get up again.

I walked around a lot today. According to my phone, I walked 30,030 steps and 11.3 miles. I can believe. I did this walk that was in my guidebook, and I did some backtracking when things caught my eye, which means I saw somethings twice.

I have begun posting pictures. You will see duplicates from the pictures I took yesterday during my random walking when I got 18,223 steps but part of those was airport. I will share the link once I am able to save to my share site. In the meantime, here are some.

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The areas I explored were Toompea and Old Town. Toompea is where the feudal nobility lived when the Germans occupied. The area basically overlooks Old Town.

I used Viru Gate to get in, which is where the walk was supposed to end. I made my way up to the first stop and saw St. Nicholas’s Church on the way up. The church was damaged in 1944 by Soviet bombers and a fire in 1980. It has been restored and is now a museum. Since it’s Monday, the museums were closed. There is a tree behind the church (it survived the bombings and fire) that is believed to be 340 to 350 years old.

The walk officially began in Freedom Square, which is a plaza. It was completed in 2009. The plaza is located outside of the former town gates. There are remains of the former town gates there covered under glass. During the summer, they have concerts there, and it is popular with skateboarders. There is also a church there, St. John’s Lutheran Church, but it, like a lot of places, is being renovated.

I then went to Harjumagi because I assumed it was Linda Hills. I discovered it wasn’t when I was walking down and saw the sign.

I ventured off the walk and went to Kiek in de Kok, which is a cannon tower built in 1475. It was damaged during the Livonian War, and according to my guidebook, nine of Ivan the Terrible’s cannonballs are still embedded in the walls. But it’s still standing. I take that as a metaphor for whatever life has brought me or you. We are still standing!

At this point in time, I went a little ahead of the tour and visited the Danish’s Kings garden.

To get back on track, I backtracked and went to Linda Hills, which has Linden Trees that are 250 years old. The hill was named after the wife of an Estonian leader who is greatly respected.

Then saw the Toompea Castle, which is now Estonia’s parliament. Catherine the Great converted the old castle into a palace.

Next stop was Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral. The ceilings were so high, but photos were not allowed inside. I am always impressed how reverent some people are in the sanctuary. I then went to St. Mary’s Lutheran Cathedral, but it was closed. It was originally Catholic, but now it’s Lutheran. It was founded in 1233 but completed in the 15th century.

Then to two lookouts with great views of the city. Funny story, I would later climb up to one thinking it was something different. I was like wait a minute; I have been here before. I was too tired to laugh and down I went.

I went through various gates. The first was Short Leg Gate Tower, which is believed to be haunted. Then Long Leg Gate Tower. Saw views of the Lower Town Wall. Went around and around to Fat Margaret, which was a cannon tower that protected the entrance to Old Town, and through the Great Coast Gate.

St. Olaf’s Church is closed for renovations.

Saw a former KGB headquarters. People who questioned the Russian leadership were tortured there.

Saw the Brotherhood of the Blackheads. Their patron was St. Maurice, who was an African-born Roman soldier. Saw St. Olaf’s Guide Hall, St Canute’s Guild Hall and Great Guild Hall. When I say saw, I mean from the outside.

Then to the Holy Spirit Church, which was closed. I wanted to see the altarpiece, which dates back to 1483.

I went to Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats). I love the old squares. This one reminded me of Bruges by the colors and the building shapes. It has been the heart of the city since the 11^th century. Some of the building date back to the 15^th to 17^th centuries. Tallinn’s town hall was completed in 1404 and is believed to be the only surviving Gothic town hall in Northern Europe. I think seeing the Christmas Market would be epic. I can also imagine markets and concerts during the summer.

Oh. I also saw St. Catherine’s Cloister. The monastery was founded in 1246, but it was set on fire by Lutherans in 1524. It was partially restored in 1954. St. Peter and St. Paul’s Catholic Cathedral was closed, but I was able to see St. Nicholas’ Orthodox Church, again no pictures.

Then back to the hotel for a short break.

I then took a tram to Kadriorg Park. It was so beautiful with its fall colors and fallen leaves. While I was walking, some were jogging or making their way home after work. Peter the Great commissioned the park and the Kadriorg Palace for his wife, Catherine I, between 1718 and 1736. It was used for their summer residence. The palace is now a museum. The former kitchen is also a museum. Saw the presidential palace and a cottage Peter I used while the palace was being built. It was such a nice park, but darkness was falling. I ended up walking back. It wasn’t that far.

It is not as cold as I thought it would be. It rained some yesterday, but it was tolerable. Today there was little rain. I am not the only off-season traveler here. In fact, I saw a tour being done by Viking Cruises.

Tallinn is a UNESCO listed capital. Estonia has been occupied by the Danish, Swedish, Russians, Germans and then the Russians again. They officially became independent in 1991 and joined the EU in 2004.

The city and population are small, and I hear that it’s crazy when you have five cruises docked.

I am debating traveling during the shoulder season. There is less light, but there are also less crowds and it’s more affordable.

Edits when I get home!

The Eagle has landed: Stop One – Tallinn, Estonia

I have arrived safely to Tallinn, Estonia, which is the first stop on my vacation.

This will go down as the vacation that almost did not happen, since I literally booked it a week before I came. My motivation has been low this year in terms of travel. I was supposed to go to Barcelona in July, but alas, that didn’t happen. The reason I decided to hustle at the last minute was this drive to do things while I can. Life is not promised tomorrow. Health is not promised tomorrow. And with the Four Horseman as world leaders (Trump, Putin, Kim and Johnson…but the list rotates. I could easily replace Johnson with Erdogan) who knows how crazy things will get.

I left my house to catch the bus to the light rail. The bus prior was late and the bus I wanted was right behind it. I was running before the bus got to the stop, but the drive kept going. Her bus was empty. I was irritated but then I met this older gentleman (65) who talked my ear off while we waited and until he got off at his stop. He has never met a stranger. I normally have stranger danger, but he was sweet.

I got to the airport and dropped my luggage off. The security check closest to Lufthansa was sending every down to three saying it’s faster. We all rolled our eyes and kept going. That line was empty. I have never seen it so empty and fast. I was randomly screened for some random test, but my hair did not get the TSA Black Hair Woman Pat Down. I didn’t last year when I went to England either. Maybe they have heard our cries and complaints. I was assigned a middle seat, and I was not looking forward to it. But the people next to me were a couple and offered me the aisle seat, which I gladly accepted. They were going to Dubrovnik. They said it was their first trip without their kids. And I don’t think they could have picked a lovelier place outside of Venice or Santorini. The husband was so sweet. He told his wife something along the lines of you always pack us goody and snack bags. This is for you. I saw some of the stuff which was books, snacks and beverages. I was like not to be nosy, but good job!

The flight to Frankfurt was okay. I watched Father Figures (I think that is what it’s called) and Green Book, which I liked. I may or may not have taken a nap. I’m not sure. The flight leaving Seattle was late leaving, then we had to wait for these buses to take us to the main terminal. By the time I cleared Customs and walked hell of fast to Terminal B, they were already well underway with boarding. I hate that stress!

I got to my hotel. I asked the driver what he would recommend the most. All that he said but one is on my list. The other it too far out. I’ll give more details of my hotel’s location after I leave, but I am very close to the Old Town. I can basically walk most of what I want to do from here. I dumped my stuff and went on a dry run off what I want to do tomorrow, so I will go into more detail then.

It’s almost 8:00 and my body so wants to fall over. I want to stay up until at least 10:00 but probably more like 9:00.

As always, I will edit when I get back!