Summer in Estonia

I think I can safely say it's officially summer in Tallinn. Big cruise ships arrive each day, it doesn't get dark anymore, the patios are all out and full with people drinking over priced beer (up to 60EEK!). But the most striking sign I saw this morning while out for a jog, Toomas the Train was chuging along the streets taking tourists to see the sites. Toomas is a really cheesy tourist tour that somehow navigates the city streets taking tourists around the old town. Nothing tackier that Toomas.

KuMu

Awhile back Liisa and I went to the new Estonian Art Museum (Eesti Kunstimuuseum). It's a really amazing modern building located in Kadriorg near the Presedential Palace. Honestly, I didn't know Estonia had so much art history it was quite impressive. One of the coolest rooms was one with all sorts of different heads, some of which talked to you. And for those of you who have been to my mothers house you may see similarity to some of the paintings in the 3rd picture below and the ones on the wall in the living room which are by the same artist.

 

Bamboo

This post is for Alexis, Sally and Tristan. In January 2005 they gave me a gift of a couple of bamboo shoots and this is an update on their progress. At one point the stems started to rot and I had to cut them shorter but as you can see they have flourished under my care, despite forgetting to water them all the time and having to live in 20 hours of darkness through the winter. I've even gone as far as cutting of a piece to grow a new one. Thank guys!

Volber

This past weeked was Volbriöö, I have no idea what the english translation is but it is Estonia's May Day holiday. In Tartu this means that as every year there is a huge party with all the fraternities and sororities in the city. As per tradition a number of Toronto Vironia members made it out this year after 1 year of not having anyone come. It was my 4th time here for volber which is amazing considering I've only been in Vironia since the fall of 2000. As usual there was way to much drinking and partying but all in all it was a bit of a quieter year (at least for me) but still the best parties of the year are in Tartu during Volbri öö.