Dog Whisperer

I don't know what it is, but dogs certainly seem to love me. The people I'm staying with have a rescue dog from the mean streets of the Dominican Republic. I've been here for 3 weeks, and recently she has started following me from room to room and laying down at my feet. I don't feed her, I just give her attention. If only this were the sole key to any relationship.

Couch Surfing

Ever been in Vanuatu and needed a place to crash? How 'bout tried to find someone to go out for drinks with in the Saudi Arabia? Well, have you tried www.couchsurfing.com? This site hooks up (for lack of a better term) travelers with places to stay in just about every country in the world. Just name your night and length of stay and you'll get treated to a couch, some conversation, and maybe a pillow or two. It's like hitch-hiking - but more dangerous because you intend to fall asleep in someone else's home.

Now, if I only had the balls to use it.

Long weekend.

I apologize for not updating this web-log in awhile. This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend, and I was outside away from the computer. Also, I did alot of shopping which was alot of fun - even though I didn't buy anything.

The most recent development in my life is that some new interns arrived yesterday and will be staying here for 10 weeks this summer. I'm glad that their trips coincide with mine, specifically that they arrived after me and will leave before me. I'm always looking for a way to overstay my welcome. :)

This week the French cultural arm in Estonia is co-sponsoring a film event with the American Embassy. A French film will be shown followed by the American remake - an "Anything you can do, I can do better" showdown. Last night, I saw "Pepe le Moco," and it was awesome. The setting is 1930s Algeria, a criminal "Pepe" is followed through his rise, well, fall mostly, at the expense of a Parisian woman - "Gaby." This woman is the type who is dating a man for his money, but has an affair with Pepe on the side. One of the best lines I have ever heard was in this movie. They just don't make 'em like they used to.

Pepe: What did you do before?
Gaby: Before what?
Pepe: Before the diamonds?
Gaby: I wanted them.

What a great line... It's like "What did you do before you had it all?" This movie truly rocked the Casbah.

Dear Diary...

What an accurate way to start out any journal. Don't you think?

Voisiku, Thursday, the twenty-sixth of May, 1827

First, let me record the occasion hat impels me to begin this journal. To begin, I say, because I have no way of knowing if I'll go on with it. It seems rather doubtful that I will: neither the times, nor the country, nor even our family seem right for such an undertaking.

This is the passage that starts out Jaan Kross' novel "The Czar's Madman." Kross is a pretty widely read Estonian author. I'm really enjoying Kross' novel which combines Russian history with Estonian history and place names. I get the feeling, though, that it can only be fully enjoyed if one has a background in Russian history.

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y... NIGHT!

So, it's a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in Tallinn, Estonia. I'm sitting at my usual wireless post -- the Double Coffee. It's great if you want to sit here for hours and not have anyone bother you, not even the waitress. :) I came in around noon expecting to download the season finale of "The Office" and have some lunch. Turns out, the kitchen is closed. At noon. On a Sunday. I love Estonia!!

Last night I had my first Hesburger with Juustu (cheese). Hesburger is the Finnish equivalent of McDonald's. The night started out at Estonia's first pub -- Hell Hunt -- and ended at a sports baar owned by an American. The bar is called "Nimeta" which means, in Estonian, "without a name", just down the street you find "Nimega", which means "with a name". Estonians aren't known for their sense of humor, but I think this takes the kook. (I apologize for not being able to put the right Fino-ugric letters in the Estonian words. If anyone knows how to paste into the blog box, let me know.)

In completely unrelated news, I have begun to teach myself Russian through the use of "A Spoonful of Russian" podcasts on iTunes. The host, Natalia, also maintains a blog of the lessons at http://speakrussian.blogspot.com. So far I can say "Hello", "How are you?", and "Not so good." Natalia also spices up the lessons with bits of Russian culture. I met a few people last night at Nimeta who studied Russian in Wisconsin. One guy has been in Russia for the last few months and plans to trek the Trans-Siberian Railroad to Singapore and then spend a few weeks in Australia. Pretty impressive, if you ask me. I still get chills just thinking about traveling to Russian, even though my poor white ass would probably be the perfect target for hooligans. I also met someone who spent some time in Georgia observing the transition to democracy under Dagashvilli (sp?). Amazing.

Well, I'm almost out of battery power, and the season finale of "The Office" is mine, so I must go send some postcards, and carry on with my charmed life.

Oh baby, baby...

This is the little stinker that I watch during the week. She's really loves it when I take her shopping. ;)

Shock and awwwwww...


"The Thinker"


Chunky Monkey

You're "Spit-fired"

As a faithful Wal-Mart employee for much of my working life, I have had plenty of opportunities to clean.... the shelves, the drains, the floors, the coolers, the freezers, underneath the gondolas..... In that time, one thing has always helped me out -- a little product known only as "Spitfire". I have never been able to find the open market equivalent of it, until now. This is a Kentish ale... though I think the Wal-Mart Spitfire is not meant to be ingested.....

You gotta fight.... for your right.... to RI-OT!!

The wake of the "Bronze Soldier Saga" is evident across Tallinn. Windows (mostly of Alkoholipood[s]) have been smashed in a few block radius of Tonismagi Square. The not-so-bright looters were even caught showing off in photos, published by the Estonian press, hoisting their spoils in the air and sporting idiotic grins. To give you some idea of the thoughts of the local shop owners, I snapped this photo while out walking.


Tonismagi Square has been completely renovated in an omage to the beauty of Estonian flora. From a distance this floral pattern resembles an Estonian flag.


These are all that remain of the red carnations that were stuck in the fence around Tonismagi Square to commemerate VE Day (Victory in Europe).

I'm a tourist.

Never roam alone.

Fake snow. Real Skiing.

I heart public transportation...

Mobile Sauna!!

Estonian's are known for their awkward food combinations. Double Coffee serves this tasty "Fresh Lemonade" (NB! Does not include lemonade). Yes, those are cucumber slices.

Home Sweet Estonia

I'm back. In Estonia. And I'm loving it. My room has the most amazing view of Old Town and the Bay of Finland. I couldn't ask for anything more.

On my first night back, I powered through my jet-lag by drinking. What better to beat the drowsiness than a mojito? All tolled, I ended up being awake for nearly 38 hours -- an achievement I rack up to my age and skills acquired from long hours of studying, of course. And, in an ironic turn of events, we ended up at the club where I had my Estonian-Reggae good-bye bash.

One of my host's buddies was an interesting American FSO serving in Bratislava, Slovakia. In my usual fashion, I managed to have a serious conversation at the bar. (It's like I'm deliberately trying not to have any fun.) He was very willing to allow me to question him down about his graduate school experience -- he attended a school that I desperately wanted to get into and seems to have some of the same goals and personality as I do. He had even worked with the U.S. representative who is currently representing my home state. The world is truly smaller than you think.

I can't wait to meet up with some of my old friends from Estonia -- and to make new ones. Some children my age will be showing up shortly -- I really want to be there as they discover the wonder that is Estonia!!