Introduction  Contents  July 4  July 10  July 14  July 18  July 22  July 26  Appendices  About 

talvi > finland > jaunt > Node20

July 22: exploring Tallinn

We spent most of this day wandering randomly around the streets of Tallinn, which are exellently suited to that kind of thing. Occasionally stopped somewhere pleasant and played cards for a bit.⁴²We also ascended the watchtower in the main square, and took a look at several churches. The Orthodox churches were dazzling, almost overwhelming in their ornamentation. In one there was a beautiful chanting coming from a screen near the back. Encountered several incredibly loud and inconsiderate tourists in the churches; in the Lutheran cathedral one tour guide set his group loose on the organ keyboard. I was eagerly awaiting some kind of divine retribution, but unfortunately it didn't happen, at least not while we were there.

We also went to the museum of Estonian history, which was informative if a little brief. Estonia's history was far too complex to stay in my head for long, and my clearest memory from the visit is that the ticket had a crossed-out price in Roubles. Found a cheap restuarant for dinner, serving delicious, stodgy, filling dishes⁴³ Then bar, beer, bed.

Footnotes

... bit.⁴²

The only decent card game for two that we knew was Cassino. By the end of the holiday we had resolved never to travel together again until we had learned at least five more card games.

... dishes⁴³

Must be something to do with the climate that north-eastern Europe tends to go in for big, simple, satisfyingly heavy food.