Tallinn!

Last weekend I got the opportunity to go to Estonia's capital, Tallinn for the day! It's crazy how every time I travel to a new place I realize how I have underestimated it's beauty. Looking at pictures of cities and villages is one thing, but seeing them in person is a whole other experience, one that words cannot describe. And I know that that is what everyone says and it is a little bit cheesy and obvious, but that doesn't make it less true! Tallinn was actually founded by the Danes in the 12th century, where the Northern Crusades were going on and Estonians were being forced to convert to Christianity. The area of the city that hold the most history is the Old Town and that was where we spent our day. We started our day off at a pancake house, said to be number 1 on a list of 200 places to visit while in Estonia. I can check that one off my list now! It was actually pretty good too, rightfully earned its place on that list.
       Next we took a free walking tour hosted by a student who attends Tallinn University and learned all about the town and its rich history. There are five churches in the area, which is a little ironic because Estonians are known for their lack of interest in religion. We got to hear stories behind every church and I learned that a couple are now museums, one is a Russian Orthodox church (the most ornate and beautiful, in my opinion) and there is one that clearly is the oldest because its exterior is worn down like it had been through a hurricane. Our tour guide told us that one of the museums buried a famous General who owed a lot of money when he passed away and rediscovered the body in the basement of church 100 years later. His body was so well preserved (they say because of all the alcohol he drank) that they put his mummified body on display in the church, charging people money to see it and making back all the debt he owed. Who knows if this story is true, but it sure was fun to hear!

                                       The Russian Orthodox Church in the Old Town of Tallinn

   After the tour, tired and cold we thawed out in an Irish pub because after all it was St. Patrick's Day, had to celebrate somehow! Seeing fish n chips on the menu brought me back to my trip to London. Although nothing compares to fish n chips in London.... unless it is Spuds (which I do miss a lot over here!). We waled to the port of Tallinn and saw the craziest thing I have ever witnessed! It is well known here that because Estonia is a lot cheaper than Finland, people from there come on ships to get alcohol. So there is this store which is right on the pier and it is stalked full with cases and cases ad cases of alcohol. People bring giant suitcases in and just fill them! It's insane, really it is. Also we got to walk around the market for a bit and I found for the first time here what I thought were bagels and turned out to be some kind of round sweet bread, but nonetheless exciting. Then we found a nice little Italian restaurant for dinner and after headed back to Tartu. It was a great trip, but one that will have to be repeated come Spring... when it's warmer!
     Speaking of Spring, the last week has shown great spring weather. Sun, rain, sun, etc. But just yesterday  it snowed. All night. This morning at 7:14 am was the first day of Spring and it was snowing. And here I thought we were through with the snow! And now this afternoon the snow has melted almost completely and the sun is out. I am starting to think that Washington isn't the only place whose weather is bipolar, in fact this behavior is happening all over the world. I am hoping Spring comes sooner rather than later!