We had a great dinner – Birthday dinner – late but really nice. Maybe Sig and I will go out looking for boots and a jacket we liked in the morning.
Last Day – was a little stressful at times. We found a lovely market. Finally found a place to spend the night. – (Source of the stress) and then could relax. The Dalai Lhami was here yesterday – way too many people. Can’t even believe it. We watied untill 11 pm to walk the old town. Hope all goes well with Ryan air tomorrow or else it will cost us another limb. Everyone is sleeping. See you all son.
Watch on Posterous
Watch on Posterous
In Tallinn thinking about where we might spend the night. Last night we were on the road between here and Narva. Very Socialist feeling. Lots of Soviet Housing and what look like Coal mines and hills. We did find some beautiful virgin forest and beaches.
Other days —
Day 6 – 7
Hermin Crank’s place
Hjalmer’s place
Grumpy parents – waited too long to stop to eat.
Sunsets and Happy endings.
Day 5
Actually it is difficutlt to be sure what day these are all from – things have become a little disorganized. We Slept out on a point this night. A long long long drive on a tiny road.
The Next day we arrived in Kilkhonna, – Grave Yard – Church _ Light House,- Lake – Spoke to the Finance Minister, It rained, He took us to a Sandy Beach. We Claimed the spot for Rober Tiitson, ats some fish and it did not rain any more.
Left Hjalmer’s place, We had a grand old time. Sven took us out on his boat. Hjalmer took us down to see if we could find some flolks who might know Isa. We found a man who’s name I cannot remember right now. He was a principle at one time and Knew Robert. He was 15 yrs younger though. Looked up to Robert and Nickola. We spoke to 3 different folks and drove around a little before we found him. People seem quite happy to help out. We were looking for old folks. He talked about how Robert and Nickola were hiding. They found Nickola but he would not give up Robert even under torture. He talked about his dad being exicuted because someone made up a story about them to get a little bread for the informaion. etc. He preferred to talk about how much he looked up to Robert and Nickola.
Day 4
We went to the archives:
It was interesting to look at the records. So it is official, My Grand Mother was born. And I can also say that Vaiki was born too. I also have seen proof that Nichola died. But there is no proof that he was born. Those records as well as many others were destroyed. There is a record that Isa is missing.
The lady at the archives was very nice and helpful. Also she became a little emotional when speaking about the events around Nicholas’s death.
Day 3
Now we will head out to my Grand Mothers Cousin’s
So we are up and to the archives:
Day 2
Up not too early: Breakfast at the camping place. There is a pic of Sigrid and I sitting in front of one of the cabins. Eggs etc.
Looks like the stores have everything you might expect. Things are a little different than they were 25 years ago. There was one little scuffle in a market we happened upon in Tallinn. There was a special kind of venom between a younger man behind a stall and an older man.
We caught the ferry to Saaremaa. Sig and I were very excited and ran all over the boat as soon as we got on. I have a special desire to taste and experience all things Estonian.
We had a pleasant time at a Museum. There is a photo below of Thea trying on Aprons with the Lady looking after things. She gave us a very thorough tour in Estoian. It was Awsome. Arriving in Kuresare ( Spelt Wrong ) was also very exciting. Lots has been built up and there are tonns of Tourists around. Well there are a few anyway.
We decided it would be good to stay in town for a bit. Had a late lunch and checked into a Hostel. The lady gave us a brief History of herself and her home ( about an hr.) Then we moved on to the castle of torture. Found A plaque with My Uncle Nikolai on it commemorating the folks who were tortured there. We went on to search out his grave stone in the town cemetery however to no avail.
At this point we are settling into the nights rest.
Estonia
Day 1
So we have arrived here in Estonia. I think I will tell the tails as I wish rather than cronolically.
It feels kinda wonderful to be here. A little magical. I could be as a result of how intense the trip over was and the work that we were doing before we came here.
Not sure how to describe it all. It is definitely rural. People are really nice. We are spending the night in a little cabin just off the road. We happened onto a little town – there is a beautiful cemetery – a hand pump well just out side. Sig and I tasted the water. They just inside there was an open well. Of course we threw the bucket in and pulled up some water. Nice walk – the end of the day. Mist rising from the fields around. Very quiet.
The camp site is empty accept for us – there are a couple of guys staying in a bunk house over the sauna but we have not really seen them yet. We are waiting to hear from the lady that let us in when the sauna will be ready. I can’t wait. We chose a cabin. She offered us 2 – one for Sig and one for us – no extra charge. super reasonable – The cabin is lit with candles and Sig and Thea are playing cards.
The car rental was amazing. The guy showed up at the airport with the car. I signed a piece of paper, gave him cash and handed over the keys. He will be back in the same spot on the 19th at 11:00 wen we leave.
The air plane was a night mare. complete. The booking was lost – they did not tell us. I had to buy tickets last minute at 2 times the price. Now it was too late to print boarding passes as It was late at night and I was now too far from the office to print the boarding passes. So no at the airport the airline charged us 180 dollars to print them – and no amount of pleading helped = oh well.
Very happy to be out of the UK at this point.
Peter Trosztmer 