Torturous Job

I just thought there was something funny about this person dressed up in "period" clothing, advertising the Medieval Torture Museum, but checking her cell phone. She just doesn't seem to be in character.

And, no, I did not go in; I've been to one before. My friend Amy and I went to a medieval torture museum in Heidelberg when we were in college. We saw the Iron Maiden. No, not that Iron Maiden. I'm referring to the torture device. Although some would claim I've clarified nothing with that last comment.

Tallinn Scout

I set out early this morning because I like to get some pictures of the city without the hordes of clueless tourists that stand in front of your photo while they try to figure out how to take one of their own. This meant that I got the main square of the old city to myself for a while, which is a nice way to enjoy it. It makes it easier to imagine what it might have been like in the middle ages.

Nearby is an old warehouse that has been turned into a tourist restaurant.

Medieval speed bump... (OK, maybe that part is new. )

Gates at the entrance to the city.

No idea what this is, but it looked cool.

This older building was converted to KGB headquarters. Notice the basement windows that have been sealed.

A gate on the other side of the city. Classic medieval wall. (Looks like Rothenburg, right Amy?)

One very cool spire.
Orthodox Church on the hill.
The way back down the hill. I'm headed for that cool spire.
Why?
Because they let you climb it, of course.
Ooh, new roof -- no patina yet.

Now, I've seen Tallinn and so have you.

When Night Falls, Someone Probably Pushed It

I ate at a neighborhood restaurant, which was one of the nicer meals I have had in a long time.

Then I ventured out onto the main square and was greeted by the Wednesday handicrafts market. I used this opportunity to find a much overdue birthday gift for my nephew, Peter. Let's face it, it's tough to find something local and unique in Hong Kong for a 3 year old boy. But in the Baltics, they sell handmade wooden trains -- right up his alley.

I spent the day relaxing in the old city and was surprised when I looked at my watch to see how late it was. This picture is taken around 9pm and it is still quite light out. This is obviously due to the proximity to the North Pole.

Many people say that the Baltic and Nordic countries have a problem with alcoholism because people are depressed by the darkness in winter. I say it is because in the summer, there is nothing natural (i.e. darkness) telling them it's time to go home, so they stay up all night drinking.

The Wanderer

One of the things I like to do when I arrive in a new city is to walk around aimlessly my first day to get my bearings and a feel for the city. It's nice to wander freely with no idea about what is an "important" thing to see. This way, you discover things, rather than rush from one recommended site to the next.

I started with the old city, since that's where I was staying and I haven't mastered levitation yet.

When I walked into Tallinn's old city last night, I had the feeling that I had been here before. It took me a few minutes to recall where I had seen this architecture previously, then I remembered -- Germany! Germany, you say? Yes. Before Tallinn's independence and before it was a Soviet state, it was a Hansa city, so Tallinn's old city is basically a German medieval city.

Which makes this the "Rathaus" a.k.a. Town Hall...

I found quite a few cute little coffee shops, a sign that you have left Asia and arrived in Europe.

After a coffee, it was on to the new city.

This is the library, but at first I thought it was an ultra-modern religious building. I guess it was the stained glass window that threw me.

And multi-colored allysum, for my parents who grow it in their flower gardens. (That's allysum, not asylum -- easy to confuse the two.)

This is approaching the "back" of the old city.

And back inside of the old city.

And home again. These are the pretty painted beams in the dorm room of my hostel.

Day is Done

I will be leaving Hong Kong soon and since I started with some sunsets, I thought I would end with some more of my favorites.



Goodbye to my extended, temporary home. I will miss it. I almost felt like a local.

High Rollers

I am not much of a gambler. I think it's because I can't see handing over that much money to someone for such little entertainment. With the odds what they are, that is effectively what I would be doing. (Damn my math skills for killing the fun!) So, casinos to me are really more of a fascination with grandeur and psychology than anything else. And Macau has it's fair share.

This is the goldest building I have ever seen and I don't mean that in a good way.

Fortunately, as the sun sets, it all starts to look a little less gaudy.
But this is sadly short-lived.
Really short-lived.
Ouch! The Seventies called and even they don't want this back!

_