Padise

Today I did a test run tour to a place called Padise. The reason for going there is its monastery, or at least the ruins of the monastery. I used two Norwegian guys as my test subjects, and the good news is they enjoyed it, so I think I will add it to my tours from now on. Unfortunately I was stuck with just my camera phone again, but here are the pictures anyway.

Monastery Tower

The Monastery was once used as a manor house, until it was struck by lightning and burned down. The owners built the new one you can see in the picture below, viewed from the tower.
Window

External View

Courtyard

External View

Internal View (or what would have been internal!)

Tower

Viljandi Folk Festival

I've just returned from the Vilhjandi Folk Music Festival. I only had my camera with me, so here are some very poor quality pictures.



The view of Viljandi Castle from Sirli's Grandfather's Summer House. The music festival is held amongst the ruins of the castle.

Greek Music played by an Estonian Band.

Spanish Folk Music

Sirli and I

My Birthday

I've been pretty slac in posting here of late, and I just realise that I didn't put anything up about my Birthday. Sirli threw a surprise party for me the night before my actual birthday. I have to admit that I had no idea!!

Pictures here

Guests

Last week James, Fitzy, Adam and Terhi came to Tallinn. The picture below is from when we hired a mini bus and drove to Paldiski. On the weekend we hired a car and Fitzy, Adam, Sirli and I drove through Southern Estonia and onto Riga. Driving to Riga was a very scary experience. The number of times other drivers overtake on blind corners is amazing! Driving in Tallinn seems like a piece of cake now.

More Pictures here.

Jaanipäev

This weekend is one of the most festive in Estonia, as the whole country celebrates the Summer Solstice. Saturday was Võidupüha, or Victory Day, which commemorates victory over the Germans after WWI, and today is Jaanipäev, or St John's Day. However the most important aspect of the whole weekend is St Johns Evening (Jaaniõhtu). I experienced my first Jaani Evening at Rocca Al Mare open air museum, with Sirli and her parents. The museum has a collection of original farm houses for Estonia's history, and yesterday evening it had 4 Jaanipäev celebrations; from Czarist times, First Republic Times (1930's), Soviet Time and Today. The idea was to show how Jäänipäev was celebrated in each period.

People all over Estonia have parties, and light bonfires which they then jump over to bring them good luck. It's a tradition which as roots all the way back to Estonia's pagan past.

Melbourne Shooting in the Estonian News

The shooting which happened in Melbourne today has made news here in Estonia. I saw it first in Estonian (not understanding much) and when I checked The Age it was obviously a big story given the amount of coverage.

Estonian T-Shirt

I just saw this on Amazon. Interesting!

House Update

Sirli and I moved most of our stuff to the new apartment today. I know many readers of this blog (both of you) will be surprised that we still haven't moved, but we have basically been waiting for the kitchen, which will FINALLY be installed on Wednesday. With a bit of luck we will probably spend our first night there tomorrow or Monday night. A big thanks must go to Susie and Sven for helping us move, especially to Sven for giving us the benefit of his handyman skills and constructing our new wardrobe. I shall update our protracted moving situation as we go!

Tanel Padar at Pirita Klooster

I have just returned from watching Estonia's most popular band Tanel Padar and The Sun in concert at Pitita Convent, a great setting. However the weather didn't really cooperate, and it rained for the second half. A little you tube video of one of their songs remixed is below for your enjoyment!

Lahemaa Pics

I just put all the pictures from the trip I did to Lahemaa on Flickr. I didn't select any out, so it's a bit of a mission looking through them, but If you're bored take a look.

Lahemaa Trip

I did a trip to day for my business today, to Lahemaa, a national park on the north coast of Estonia. This is the type of stuff I'm taking people to see outside of Tallinn.















Saha Chapel, 15th Century.















Cist graves from the bronze age. People were buried above ground because the limestone bedrock is so close to the surface, making it hard to dig.



















Jõelähtme Church, history from the 14th century.

Maardu Manor House















Coastal scenery in Lahemaa National Park.

Estonian Idol

I have had no interest in this series, but this girl just won Eesti Otsib Superstaari (Estonia Searches for a Superstar). Estonians are generally extremely good singers, but the finalists for this contest were mostly hopeless. As with most shows of this type, 13 year old girls vote off anyone with talent for someone they like for reasons which are unknown to anyone else. Having said that, the winner was actually one of the better ones, and she is quite pretty. Some of the final 10 (not featured here for your safety) were so bad I cried laughing!

Estonia Vs England

Wednesday night I was lucky enough to be able to see England play Estonia in Tallinn. Tickets were hard to come by, by I was offered one at the last minute and happily accepted. Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly, Estonia went down 3-0. However the chance to see some off the English players up close was well worth it, especially Beckham who displayed some real class and set up two of England's goals. So far I have seen Estonia play three times and never seen them score!

Estonia - England | All 3 Goals
Uploaded by GOAAAAL

Estonian V's Croatia

I'm heading off to watch Estonia play Croatia in a Euro 2008 qualifier tonight. Estonia will probably get smashed. Given the poor state of Estonian Football. Local matches have an average attendance of just 166!! I'll update tomorrow.

*UPDATE*
Estonia went down 1-0 last night, though they actually played well in some patches. They peppered the goals late in the game but were unable to find and equaliser. Match Report.

Eurovision 2007

Tonight is Eurovision night, just a hop, skip and a jump across the water from Tallinn, in Helsinki. Unfortunately Estonia is not in the final tonight, as their entry bombed in the semi finals. It wasn't a bad song (and god knows there were plenty of shockers when I watched on Thursday night), but it was pretty generic, and it wasn't surprising that it didn't get through top the final. If it were up to me, I would have sent one of these songs:


Good tune, catchy, reasonably attractive singer.


Cut and paste Keane/Cold Play, much better than the standard EuroVision crap!


Completely shit song, but any song with "Girl why don't you sit on my face" in the lyrics deserves to win Eurovision!

Baltic Chain

Given events in Tallinn over the last week or so, there is talk about forming another Baltic Chain. Lithuanians came up with the idea to show solidarity with Estonians. Coincidentally I stumbled across this video on you tube. It's fantastic, amazing to think that people could form a continuous human chain across 3 countries!

Chaser in Estonia

One of my favorite TV shows in Australia is The Chaser's War on Everything, and it seems that they have been advertising on billboards here in Tallinn! There is an explanation!


















Thanks to Jeff for pointing this one out.

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...

New House!

I actually have some interesting news to put on my Blog! Sirli and I have a new house, well actually it's an apartment. All the papers were signed last week, we have taken the plunge and are now officially home owners. The property market is pretty hot here at the moment, and even though it will probably level of a bit from now on (prices have doubled in the last 2 years!) I think it will be a good long term investment. The only problem is that we now have to put in a kitchen (you can see the blank wall where it will go in the first picture) and buy furniture. On the weekend we went to furniture stores, and it was scary to seeing prices in relation to my warehouse wage!! The building has the best view of Tallinn I have ever seen from the 11th floor (3rd picture), but unfortunately our apartment is on the second floor!!!
Anyway, you can look at more pictures if you are not one of those people whose work wont let them look at the evils of Flickr.

Online Elections

Today is election day in Estonia. While I'm sure no one is interested in the intricacies of Estonian Politics, it is interesting that Estonians could vote online. It is probably the first national e-election anywhere in the world! Needless to say, I can't vote! The guy below is the PM casting his vote.

Frozen Waterfall

I saw my first ever frozen waterfall on Sunday. Keila Joa, which I visited in summer when it was a free flowing, though without a great deal of water. Now look at it!!!

Independence Day

Yesterday was Independence Day in Estonia, marking the 89th anniversary of Estonia's first independence. Sirli and I woke up early to go and see the flag raising ceremony outside the parliament at dawn. The flag is raised up "Tall Hermann", pictured here just before hand with the rising sun in the background. I must say i think it is the best singing of an anthem I have ever heard, the voices sounded like a profession choir!! The day was so cold that the army canceled its parade!!! My feet were so cold by the time we got home that I couldn't feel my toes!

Myths about Estonia

While visiting friends and family back in Australia, I was often frustrated by what people thought of Estonia. So I think this article is very good.

Back in Estonia

I'm back in Tallinn after 3 weeks of Australian summer.I've come back to winter in full force, snow covered streets and temperatures of around ten below. Though having said that I'm actually lucky as while I was away the mercury dropped into the -20's! I've been back at work, so nothing to special has been happening. However while I have been wandering about the warehouse I have been listening to the new Bloc Party album which I purchased with a xmas voucher while in Melbourne. I love one song in particular, and I thought I'd share it with all of you who read my blog (ie. Mum!) thanks to the wonder that is youtube.

How Much Richer is Australia than Estonia?

Obviously as a developing country, Estonia still isn't as rich as Australia. I often wonder just how much richer Australia is. According to the IMF, the answer is just under twice as rich. Well, that's in terms of GDP per person anyway. Australia has the 14th highest GDP per person, whereas Estonia ranks 43rd. Interestingly, in the 1930's Estonia was wealthier than Finland, which now ranks one place above Australia. Just shows how far 50 odd years of communism will set a country back. Well, at least it means the beer is cheaper here than in Melbourne, which is a good thing for me right now!!!

Me in the Snow

I was in Viljandi this weekend. We've had some snow, not much but some. This is me behind Sirli's grandfather's summer house. It is a lot different than in summer when I visited.

James in Tallinn

Last weekend my brother James came to Tallinn for the weekend. He has been in Helsinki and came across on the ferry. I have put some photos up, and the one to the left was kindly sent to me by Terhi. It is in the living room of our flat here in Tallinn. It was around midday Sunday, and James was a little off put by the amount of alcohol. He's tried a few too many cocktails the night before to be drinking Vana Tallinn!

Christmas

IMG_1636
Originally uploaded by meeky.

Christmas Pictures are up on my Flickr page!
My first Estonian Christmas was filled with too much eating and drinking as is the case everywhere. Unfortunately no snow, so I missed out on a white Christmas. It seems with Melbourne's cold weather I would have been better of in Australia if I wanted the White Christmas!!

Brydie's Scratchie

My sister sent me a lotto 'scratchie' for Christmas. I videoed me playing so she could see.

Snow in Tallinn

It has JUST started to snow outside! "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!!"

I hope I haven't jinxed it now...

To see if I have, take a look at the Tallinn weather webcam.

Christmas Market in Tallinn

One of the upsides of the wintry weather here in Tallinn at the moment is the Christmas Market in the town hall square. It really provides a Christmas feel, especially at night when it is all lit up. I walked through the square last night and happened to have a camera with me, and took some pictures. This one here is of the little huts the shopkeepers use to sell their Christmas wares, with the Town Hall in the background (built in 1402).

In fact, Tallinn was the first town in Europe to put up a municipal Christmas tree, back in 1441. 

Estonian Drivers

Sometimes people ask if I drive in Estonia. Apart from the fact that I would have to drive on the right hand side, the main reason I don't is that Estonians are maniacs behind the wheel. Almost daily there is a head on collision on one of Estonia's roads. The picture here is from today, a head on which happened on the road between Tallinn and Tartu. No one died in this accident, though there are numerous fatalities every week, which is pretty poor for such a small country.

Tallinn and Tartu Estonia's two biggest towns, and there is lots of traffic, however it is unseparated single carriage-way for most of the trip. In summer especially when people are getting out of town for the holidays, drivers make suicide overtake maneuvers, and it is pretty common to see a car driving straight at you at 130km/ph only to pull back to their own side of the road with seconds to spare. Once while on a buss to Viljandi one car overtaking actually passed us on our right (i.e. on the hard shoulder of the wrong side of the road!!)

I will drive here eventually, but i don't have a car at the moment, so really I don't have to worry too much about the madness on Estonian roads just yet.

Residency and ID Cards

Two weeks ago I received my Estonian residency, and this week I received my ID card. It's a pretty amazing thing, as it's a smart card, which allows the holder to do a huge range of things. For example the card can be used to vote in online elections, Tallinn being the first electorate in the world to hold an e-election. Essentially the card is used for ID purposes in the real world but also as an online signature. The cards are so useful here, it makes me wonder why there is so much concern over the new non-id card that Australia is planning to bring in. By coincidence there was a radio report that I listed to radio national and it seemed so stupid that there was even debate over ID cards. If anyone has time I recommend listening to the podcast.

I just wish that I hadn't used such an old photo

Jeff on Estonian Television

My former lecturer from Monash was on Estonian television this week talking about tourism. I think the most interesting part is the Translator. I've got no idea how she is able to do that. She is apparently the best translator in Estonia, and the day before this interview she was translating for George bush during his visit.
Clip one is here, all three clips are on my you tube page. (LINK ON THE RIGHT)

Estonia in the NY Times

Bushes visit here got a mention in a recent New York Times article. Worth reading for anyone who still thinks of Estonia as some sort of post soviet backwater.