On the move today. Early morning flight from Munich to Tallinn, Estonia – new country for all of us! First impression of Tallinn: BRRRRR. 
It’s cold and windy. Was not expecting it to be glove weather. Had to buy an emergency pair of wool mittens. My hands are much happier now.
So, the Estonian language. Wow, difficult. Apparently, Estonian is one of the most difficult languages for native English speakers to learn. That said, every Estonian person we’ve talked to today speaks flawless English. Our adorable waitress at dinner told us Estonians study English from age 5 through high school graduation. They also have to choose to study either Russian or German. No one wants to study Russian right now.
QOTD from our taxi driver (talking about relations with Russia): the Russians have always tried to terrorize civilians. It’s nothing new to us. [shudder]
Eesti Leib
Have discovered homemade eesti leib– Estonian black/brown bread. Insanely delicious. I could eat a whole loaf of this stuff. It’s sooooo fluffy inside. And slightly sweet. Incredible. Might have to break my “I don’t bake bread” rule and try to make this at home.
Walked around Old Town Tallinn for a bit. The town has a very medieval feel to it. Incredibly well preserved.
I wanted to do a bit of shopping (I’m sure there is lots of stuff I “need” to buy here). But I cannot shop with an audience, so I sent Ken to climb the town wall and tower. He needs to get it out of his system.
Sidebar: If anyone needs any elk jerky snacks, we’ve got you covered.
Overall first impression of Tallin: I think I’m gonna like it here.
Adorable waitresses taught us how to say Cheers in Estonian: Terviseks. This is easier after a couple of drinks.
Terviseks!
Travel date: April 4, 2025
Those sheepskin seat covers are absolute genius. My guess is that they are also absolutely necessary!
Absolutely – but so inviting, right?
Tervist, naerdes! (Hello, laughing!) Poor you, knowing an Estonian gal would be reading!!! Lovely photos of my birth-town > if you got anywhere near the Estonia Opera Theatre, I lived a two-minute walk away for the first 9 years of my life 🙂 ! But, will you please correct your spelling mistake – yes, Estonian black bread tastes delicious but bread is spelled ‘LEIB’, honestly !!! And you will have the recipe over the weekend now i know which one you liked – there is also the rye and sweet-sour! And the chalked slogan – some readers may be too young to know Adolf Hitler killed himself and his wife in a bunker . . . !
I have corrected my spelling error – thank you! And thanks in advance for the recipe. And oh boy, I hope there aren’t people too young to know Hitler killed himself in a bunker!!
Great blog. I love the chalk board message for Putin. 🙂
Wasn’t that great?? Highlight of the trip!
We seriously enjoyed Tallinn…great bars, quality food, elk soup….Fat Margaret….characterful square and streets….souvenirs (still on our house walls) from blacksmiths’ forges) and undoubtedly most bizarre of all, a Depeche Mode tribute bar. Yeah it was cold too.
I was a HUGE fan of Depeche Mode in the 80s! And I would have gone to the bar except I was with my 86 year old father, who would not have appreciated it as much as me! 😂
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