I was a bit worried about my sticks on the cobblestones of the old town, but we walked for 4 hours without incident (Although I was pleased Estonia has installed non medieval footpaths -UNESCO was cross!)
We met our guide Vaiko(?) at 9,30 and took a taxi up to the new town on Toompea Hill and walked back to the old city which is world heritage listed.Last night we had explored a little bit while we were looking for a cafe. There were plenty of cafes to choose from and no shortage of massage parlours either. The cafe we chose had the most delicious black bread.
Our guide told us of Estonia's centuries of occupation starting with the Danes in the 13thC and including Germans, Swedes and Russians. Estonians and Finns and Hungarians arrived in Europe about 3500 B.C. and their languages are related. Our guide was formally an English teacher so easy to understand. Estonia is doing quite well economically and the unemployment rate is only about 5,5 %
Today's selection of photographs::-
Typical buildings
One of the towers in the city walls.
Outside a steak restaurant featuring Australian beef !
One of many steeples
Alexander Nevsky Russian Orthodox cathedral. Our guide told us how prior to 1991 four of her fellow students were expelled because they were seen at church.
Estonians are not impressed by Russian beggars outside their church
The organ inside an old Lutheran church. Noble families were buried inside the church until Catherine the Great forbade the practice.
Note the Hanseatic League flag on the left. After Catherine's edict the bodies buried under the floor in this church were removed but the elaborately carved family crests were placed on the walls.
Another fine building.
Peaceful courtyard once belonging to a Dominican monastery but now a museum..
Flower sellers
Artist 'en plein air'. With the passing tourist traffic he should do well.
Fair Isle socks which would be a challenge to knit.
Apart from fair Isle knitting there were beautiful linen table mats but instead of embroidering the designs they were painted on..
I am amazed to discover that Goodwin's is a steakhouse serving "genuine Australian beef".
ReplyDeleteLove those fair isle cat socks. My toes could do with them right now; lucky you having a beautiful sunny day.
ReplyDeleteLovely socks to bring home for Winter.
ReplyDeletenever thought of Norwegians having holiday houses on the islands up-canal. keep giving out the facts! I never did visit there. thanks for the photos - we armchair travelers can enjoy. we have been revisiting 1984 - will let you know how it goes. at last commentators seem to be taking trump seriously - he is not just the pointy end of the humour. the global damage that he can affect seems to be changing the commentary tone.
ReplyDeleteit is cold - i am happy to stay indoors. 'Norman' was different and thought provoking. Wanting to be liked, popular and useful.... but he didn't seem to learn. No introspection.
This is public i realize - need to send emails in the future!!