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Tagged With: history

Kuressaare, Estonia

It was a quick four hour bus-ferry-bus ride from Tallinn to the island of Saaremaa in western Estonia. Along the way, the land was pancake flat and I passed more rolled hay stacks than Monet could paint in a lifetime. Saaremaa is just under 3,000 square kilometers and has a population of 35,000. The biggest … Continue reading »

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Tallinn miscellaneous

Odds and ends from Tallinn.   Common souvenirs include fake fur, leather, hand knitted goods, and amber.   This pharmacy was originally built in 1422 and is the oldest still functioning pharmacy in the world.   Just because I'd kick myself if this was ever an answer in Jeopardy, Ferdinand Vieke founded the Estonian State … Continue reading »

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Tallinn’s Soviet prison

Are you looking for the perfect place to host your event? An intimate wedding? An all night rave? Or maybe a work conference? If so, perhaps you should consider holding it at Tallinn's former Soviet prison. That's right, this building which has been used as a defensive fort, a military barracks, and a Soviet prison … Continue reading »

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Estonia’s path to independence

Today was focused on learning about the country's busy history so I went to the Occupation Museum which touches on the German occupation and primary addresses Estonia under the Soviets.   The one room museum held countless small artifacts from the country and capital city since the early twentieth century.   A secret peep hole … Continue reading »

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Tallinn, Estonia

Before I arrived in Estonia, I knew that I knew almost nothing about this country. I knew this is where Skype was invented, that former pro cyclist Jaan Kirsipuu hails from here, and that it was once part of the USSR. After one full day just wandering around Tallinn's Old Town, I am starting to … Continue reading »

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More Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle is surrounded by a cliff in three sides and the fourth side is reached by climbing uphill and entering a narrow gate. Scottish kings and queens reigned from here in centuries past. The Scottish Crown Jewels are on display, though they haven't been worn in a coronation ceremony for hundreds of years. St. … Continue reading »

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Delgatie Castle, Scotland

It's not every day that you visit your family's former castle so the four of us were really looking forward to it. I scribbled about sixteen pages of notes during our visit, but I'll spare you the minute details and give you the highlights instead. Delgatie Castle is on the edge of Turriff in northeast … Continue reading »

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The Tower of London

On one side, my family is Scottish and despite the amount of travel we all do, none of us had been to see our family roots in decades. My mom decided to rectify this and organized a week long trip to London and Scotland for me, my aunt, cousin, and herself.   At my request, … Continue reading »

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