The Best Place in Tallinn

In the morning after studying we went to the bank and tried to get some coins in the bags because they don’t give out any more Eesti euro rolls. We got totally lucky – kindly lady teller said it will be some time. She ran around in circles for a few minutes and then came back with a bunch of rolls. The very last and final rolls. Dan was so happy.

Then we went to the Kiek in de Kök museum and reserved a spot on the tour of the tunnels tomorrow at 11am. They do not pick up the phone or answer emails so it was the only way to do it. After that we mailed a postcard and walked around upper old town for a bit. It really is not as interesting as the lower town. Other than the tourists and a handful of souvenir shops there is really no life up here. Most of the buildings are either embassies or private property or locked up and apparently abandoned.

On the way home we visited some souvenir shops and stopped at one new one – apparently something of an artists commune near the staircase up to the upper town. Usually it is closed but it was open today and we went in. Immediately a guide appeared and lead us to cashier. So it is also a museum and there is a charge, a small one albeit, to get in. Still I did not want to do it so I said some other time. So the guard appeared again and offered to go to the courtyard where they have the swing. Very nice. After that he offered to go to the cellar where Georgia can do some watercolors. But we already had to go.

For lunch we wanted to do a donner kebab but it was strangely closed. So we went towards Pirita beach and stopped at Pelmeni place. Some of you noticed that there isn’t a lot on food anymore. It’s because restaurant food here is quite a bit more expensive than in US, especially for the 5 of us. And looking at the menus there isn’t that much variety here. So for lunch we were going out to semi-fast food places: Pizza Grande (recommended, there is one in Talinn too), Lido, and McD, and now Pelmeni. Excellent food, good prices, fast service. It was quite empty too so kids had the opportunity to go crazy in the spacey looking back portion of the restaurant.

For dinners we bring in cooked food from the supermarket. Since we discovered Viru mall supermarket we are very happy with the meals from there. Dizzying quantity and variety, and constantly changing selections. They must have 6-8 types of schnitzel and as many varieties of meatballs, fishballs, and other things. So it may not be very exciting on reporting side of things but it certainly has not gotten repetitive yet. We work at a coffee shop on the second floor of the mall and when we are ready to go home, we drop in and pick up something fresh.

As we headed home tonight we heard the familiar sounds of Krishnaits. They had a whole celebration going on. They had a black Krishnait sing and a bunch of other ones dance. They put up the sign – India Festival but it was just them. Many Indian guests and residents of the city did not seem to be present. They had several tents and were having songs and dances in the middle of the little square in front of Viru. It is interesting how this religious sect found a home here in the Baltics.

After dinner we ran to another supermarket for some household items. We go for those at least every other day. Kids got their requisite ice-cream and Isabella ate hers in a customary way – starting from the bottom of the waffle cup. 

Finally, and I am getting to the best part, tonight we decided to do the culture kilometer. Been passing by it for some time. Basically it is a 2 kilometer portion of the coast that has been littered by particularly disgusting and dilapidated remnants of the past. Recently residents of the city cleaned it up and turned it into a pleasant promenade where locals go running and walk around with their families. All along the way are interesting distractions.

Our first one happened for us maybe 400 meters in -  it was a bar made on the platform on the water from all sorts of disposed materials. There was the old doubledecker that served as the bar, a bunch of water crates that separated the booths, cable rolls doubling as chairs and more. They even had the piano, that was not recycled or anything and just served as a piano. The relaxed mood of the place, the sight of the water just made it a really perfect place to be. We had some beer and even the kids were perfect little darlings and quietly shared their drink.

Afterwards we continued our walk and passed the Paterei Prison. They must take the pictures of that place at some other time because it looks very run down – quirky and interesting nevertheless. They offer to have corporate parties and rent rooms in it. This here is a pretty pic and does not show the other side that had rust observation towers more broken windows and such. Well, maybe they have some other better rooms but from where we were looking, those were not the rooms to stay at, unless you were brought in there unconscious. As we were leaving we passed an all metal 2 story gate. It was initially closed for the day but fortunately a guard opened it up and let us out.  

Passed a bunch of dilapidated interesting buildings. It is a really prime real estate there – next to the sea and close to the old town, if anyone has the resources available to develop it. Passed the beautiful marine museum. We could see the submarine parked, will definitely have to come back.

Kids rebelled at 9:30pm and 1.13km and we had to turn back. Will definitely be coming back.

It is pretty late – 12:40am so I will stop for the day. Will upload the pictures tomorrow.

Some more observations: lots of Brits living and working in the city. As far as tourists - these come from all over the place. Many are probably brought by cruiseships - the city is very busy during the day and then at dinner time it empties out.

Some of the historical restaurants like Hansa around the main square have their staff dress up in Renaissance clothing and act out various acts during the day. I like it - gives the area a constant feeling of the holiday or a celebration.