July 1st – Our last day began with a sunny arrival just before 8 a.m. in Tallinn, Estonia – the last of the three Baltic States. While it was sunny and warm, it was very windy.

Our tour today was a very special one. Because of the number of Estonians we know, we decided to hire a driver and guide and do a private tour. Arvo and Greta-Catrina met us on the pier and after brief introductions we headed off for what was a delightful four hours. Our first stop, after the bank, was the President’s Palace home to the current President and Catherine’s Palace, built by Peter the Great for his wife. It is now a museum.

We then moved on to check out the botanical gardens, although time didn’t allow a visit. We stopped at the communications tower which has importance from a coup d’etat attempt in Moscow in 1991. The Estonian SSR made a resolution to restore the national independence of Estonia. The Soviet army troops attacked the tower trying to take control, but four individuals locked themselves into the 22nd floor to maintain a connection to the outside. The coup eventually failed and the tower was built in 2005 as a monument to the memory of the protection of the tower.

Every five years a large choral festival is held in Tallinn and we are aware of a number of individuals who have either attended to perform or just to listen. The large amphitheater site was closed but we were able to get an idea of what it might be like.

A stop at St. Bridget’s Monastery showed ruins dating back to 1436 juxtaposed against the modern day church and convent next door that reportedly only houses six or seven nuns.

We then headed back into town touring the upper town with modern offices and condos as well as a small enclave of wooden houses dating back to the early 1900s, which has become a very trendy area.

The remainder of the trip was a walking tour though old town…a network of winding lanes within the old stone walls. A folk music demonstration in the main square gave us a taste of the traditional Estonian costume and music.

A stop at Canada House on July 1st didn’t result in anyone home…but a number of us joined in the singing of Oh Canada just the same.

We enjoyed our time with Greta so much that she joined us for lunch at a medieval restaurant. Lunch included elk soup (drunk directly from the bowl), wild game meat pies and cider. Greta speaks Estonian, Russian, Italian and English and often acts as an interpreter for the Italian Embassy. In fact she will be translating for the Italian Prime Minister and his family when they visit Estonia next week. The Pope is scheduled to visit in September but she isn’t sure if her services will be required or not.

Dinner tonight was in the Grand Dining Room with three other couples from the U of T alumni group. The entertainment included a few selections from Mama Mia, in honour of our arrival tomorrow in Sweden. Then it was back to the room to finish packing and put our suitcases out for pickup. We have to be out of our room by 8 a.m. in the morning making for an early wake up again, although we do gain an hour tonight.