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Location: Märjamaa, Estonia |
Local time: Wednesday, 6:46pm |
Music: Thievery Corporation - Versions |
Well, I decided against sailing across the Atlantic again. I did actually secure a position as delivery crew on board a new 40ft catamaran, being delivered from France to Tortola (British Virgin Islands), but the trip was expected to take some 8 weeks from start to finish, and I decided that I'd really rather get there sooner. Otherwise I'd miss half the working season. So I managed to find a relatively cheap flight with Air Caraibes, flying from Paris to the French side of St. Martin, via Guadeloupe, on the 10th of January. For €520 including tax, it was a much better deal than if I flew to Fort Lauderdale, Florida - a place I know nothing about.
Once again I'll be back on that crazy little island that I vowed I wouldn't return to for a long time. In my defence, it's been almost two years, and my plan is to be there for as little time as possible - I want to find a job on a boat and start working. Krista is understandably a little peeved that she can't come with me - she has to stay in Estonia to complete her driver's licence. It's hovering around the 0°C mark at the moment (unseasonably warm, apparently!), compared to a balmy 28°C or so over there. We both miss the sun.
Christmas and New Years were fun, and I'm glad I was here in Estonia with special people. It was very traditional, with lots of potatoes, pork and vodka. I'm leaving late tomorrow night, on the bus to Riga, Latvia (for a flight to Copenhagen and then Nice). It's gonna be sad to say goodbye to everybody again.
![](imguploads/raekojaplats07.jpg) The Christmas tree in Raekoja Plats, on a gloomy day in Tallinn's city center. It's home to the only surviving Gothic town hall in northern Europe, built in the 14th century.
![](imguploads/gigrose.jpg) A rose from an admiring fan (Krista's Aunty) sits on my stool in St. Patrick's pub, the night of my final performance, last Friday.
![](imguploads/pubpose.jpg) Clutching my money-maker.
![](imguploads/tallinnice1.jpg) An outdoor ice-skating rink has been set up in Tallinn...
![](imguploads/tallinnice2.jpg) ...set against the charming backdrop of the old town's 600-year-old buildings...
![](imguploads/tallinnice3.jpg) ...and being used by some 6-year-olds!
![](imguploads/hellhunt.jpg) After braving the horrid weather yesterday, we had a great lunch in the old town. Here's me trying to decipher a local newspaper while we waited for our food. I'm gonna miss the prices of Estonia!
![](imguploads/nightkirik.jpg) The 13th century Märjamaa kirik just down the road. I love this old church, and admire it every time I walk/ride/drive past. The shot is out of focus, I know - but it was the best I could do for a two-second hand-held exposure.
![](imguploads/ny07band.jpg) Siim and I, jamming on New Year's eve. The music got worse as the vodka went down!
![](imguploads/ckny07.jpg) It's traditional here to see in the new year outside, so we all stumbled out into the snow-covered streets just before midnight. Happy New Years!
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