Old Friends in the Old Town

Today, Monday, we are in Tallinn, Estonia.  We have been here previously and had originally booked a hiking excursion but decided that over 2 hours on a bus for a 2 hour hike wasn't worth it.  We canceled the excursion and opted to further explore the old town.  Starting out, it was a bit cool and windy but, at least, the sun was shining.  We walked through one of the old gates and admired the old buildings and an old church.

We like to bring our granddaughter Phoebe along with us.

Soon it was time for the old friends to stop for coffee.

Caffeinated, we continued our wandering past more beautiful buildings and came to an anti-Russian display.

 

As we continued on we passed an alley that had a time line of Tallinn's history and then came to the Town Hall Square.

Our next target was to go up to Toompea Castle, the seat of Estonia's government.  We passed the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral along the way.

As you might tell from the photos, the day became cloudier and, thus, colder.  We decided that it was time to head back down to the old town for some lunch.  After wandering around the Town Hall Square in search of a restaurant with an appealing menu, believe it or not, we settled on a salmon pizza in the Tule Estonia Restaurant.  Sitting inside, out of the cold, we had the room all to ourselves.  It did take a while for the pizza to come and you can see that Linda had drank half of her beer before it arrived.  Yes, the pizza was good.

After lunch, we just walked back to the ship.  Once again, it was a day of doing what we love to do most - just wandering around these beautiful and interesting cities for about 4 hours.

Since we were dining alone at lunch, we did not really have to be too civil.  However, we decided that it was good practice to adhere to Rule of Civility Number 99:

Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after drinking, wipe your lips; breathe not then or ever with too great a noise, for its uncivil.

Peace, blessings, and wonder,

Linda and Larry

A Fleeting Finnish Finish

Sunday we were in Kotka our last port in Finland.  It is a small city that seems to have many parks.  Sadly, the weather did not cooperate.  The forecast called for rain off and on throughout the day.  I thought that we had a window of no rain at about 10:00 am so we took the shuttle to its first stop close to the Sapokka Water Garden. 

Linda, being the former Desert Botanical Garden docent, loves to use Google Lens to identify plants.

 We made it to the waterfall before the rain started.

Kotka had giant earthworms, the usual Barnacle Geese, and seals.

When the rain came, we took the shuttle bus to the second stop by the Market Square figuring that we'd get off if the rain stopped and there was something there.  It didn't stop and there was nothing so we took the bus back to the ship.  All told, it was about an hour outing.

I think that Kotka would be nice to walk around in if the weather was good.  Maybe next time.

Often when we pass a Barnacle Goose with young ones, they will squawk a bit.  Substitute "Barnacle Goose" for "men of quality" and Rule of Civility Number 37 is very appropriate advice:

In speaking to men of quality do not lean nor look them full in the face, nor approach too near them at lest (sic) keep a full pace from them.

Peace, blessings, and wonder,

Linda and Larry

Helsinki Day Two - Serendipity Baby!

Let me put it this way - it's better to be lucky than good.  Saturday in Helsinki was a serendipitous day and, as it turned out, a day of wonder.  We started out planning to visit 3 cathedrals/churches.  Before starting out, I discovered that one of the cathedrals we wanted to visit was closed that day.  So we set off for the Helsinki Cathedral.  We had heard that there was going to be a big Gay Pride parade in Helsinki on Sunday and much to our surprise, we found that the parade was passing right below the cathedral.  Serendipity number 1.  A woman we spoke to told us that 100,000 people march in the parade.

After watching the parade for a while, we decided to try to go into the cathedral.  We walked around the back side and found the entrance to the crypt.

We then went to the front and found a wedding party leaving the cathedral.  Serendipity number 2.

Next we set our sights on the Temppeliaukio Church, the so-called rock church.  Walking up that way, we came upon a street that had 3 barber shops.  I had decided that I really needed a haircut, so I picked one and had it done.  Serendipity Number 3.

Continuing on, we came upon a street hockey tournament.  We watched long enough to see the goalie make a save.  Serendipity number 4.

In the area there was something that we are not quite sure what it is.  A sculpture?  A skate park?  A climbing feature?

Finally,we made it to the rock church.  We ducked in long enough to get a glimpse of the inside and passed on the 8 Euro per person fee to go all of the way in.

As we sat on a bench outside of the church, Linda decided that she needed a coffee (and, more importantly, a facility).  I mapped a couple of coffee shops down the street from the church and in the direction we needed to go.  We came to the Heritage Cafe and went in for our coffee.  This turned out to be most unexpected and, thus, Serendipity Number 5.  The coffee was good, but the best part was the artwork on display.

We were really struck by the work of one particular artist and, as we were looking at them, the 29 year old artist, Juulia Ojasado, came up to talk to us.  There were three pieces that were part of her Wonder Collection and we feel that you can see and sense the wonder in all three.

The final serendipity, Number 6, came as we were walking back to the ship.  As we approached the Eplanadi, the sun started to break through the clouds.

As we found a bench to sit on, we ran into the Captain's daughter and two grandsons who have been on board for the past two weeks.  She pointed out the banners and the signpost which gave the code to the spell out what was written on the banners.  The grandsons are ducking under the signpost.  Can you break the code on the banners in the photo?

We made a final stroll through the waterfront market before going back to the ship.

Back on the ship we encountered Serendipity Number 7 when a gull came and sat on Linda's head.

What a day it was.  About 10K of walking and many unexpected discoveries.  This calls for another deviation from the Rules of Civility.  The artist, Juulia, posted some wonderful prose how The Wonder Series explores her sense of wonder and I include it here.

Oftentimes the truly remarkable can be found in the seemingly unmarkable. When the world seems bleak. we just need the eyes to see: the undeniable beauty that drips to us when we dare to look closely. And I do wonder...

I wonder:

How it feels to have wings, 

and be carried by the wind 

soar above the stormy clouds.

soaking in the sun.

not being bound to the ground.

I wonder.

The kindness in the eyes of a mare. 

the compassion and care. I see reflected there 

Do you know your own beauty and grace? 

How peacefully it is reflected on your face?

I wonder.

How the flowers of the field grow. 

how breathtakingly beautiful.

So delicate set so impactful. 

Rejoicing in it's being with colours all so beaming 

So fragile but so valuable, 

I wonder if I am also so?

I wonder.

The vastness of the starry sky.

How they shine.

even in the darkest of darkness. 

they bring forth their light.

Shining on us 

forming patterns 

twinkling and dancing 

perhaps reminding 

that even the smallest gleam of light 

can carry the furthest distances.

I wonder.

The beauty in the patterns of butterflies wings

Who has made such things?

From an egg to a caterpillar to cocoon 

You will be flying soon

Always changing

going through different stages of life. 

like a mother who once was a child.

Peace, blessings and wonder,

Linda and Larry