The Rioting Continues

In my last post I mentioned how I walked through a riot to get home from class. Fortunately this was early, because since then all manner of chaos has broken out. The Russians have been rampaging through the streets of Tallinn, smashing windows, looting and destroying shops, bars and restaurants. The government sent text messages to everyone yesterday telling them not to leave their houses. On Thursday night one person was killed when one of the Russian rioters stabbed another one. The street where I lived when I was studying here in 2004 was devastated.

In Australia the riots have made The Age, The Australian and the Herald Sun.

If you want to see more pictures take a look here.

Bye Bye Bronze Soldier

Walking back from my Estonian class tonight I had to walk through I riot to get home! Authorities have finally begun to remove the Bronze Soldier, a Soviet WWII monument and war grave. Thankfully I was able to walk round the edge and avoid any trouble, but it was annoying as the whole area which I would normally walk home was closed. Sirli was waiting for me to come home while watching riot police smash Russian morons over the head with batons, and was a little worried! It takes a special kind of stupidity to charge at a solid line of police in riot gear, but it makes good TV!!
If you want to kill some time and get some background read this.

Building Fair

It's been a while since I've posted, partly because not a lot has been happening and partly because I've been busy. I know that sounds contradictory but it is true! Last week I helped out Kaupo at the Estonian Building fair, where he was showing his Atlantic products, such as hot water heats and electric radiators. When I say help out all I really did was stand there! Three English speakers came by, and occasionally when it was really busy I'd talk to Estonians if they were happy to speak English. I filled in my time looking at the various promo girls, who were exquisite! They dressed up in all manner of costumes and were just gorgeous. Unfortunately I don't have any photos. I would have felt like a creep pointing the camera at them! So you'll have to do with the following pics...