Back to a place that has captivated has its risks. It's like putting a pulse to the memory. Almost always have to lose. How many great memories, idealized over time, have collapsed by a disappointing return visit? To me come to mind a few. There are corners of the world so special that it is better to never return to tempt not random. Staying with the spoils of the lived emotional reward enough. Why risk? We, also, we are not the same and that pinch before we stimulated now perhaps only pushes us to a hasty photography, the universal itch "I was there".
I was afraid to return to Tallin after ten years. Then he spent several days in the Estonian capital on account of impending EU membership. It was part of a delegation invited pen by the European Commission (courtesy of my good friend Michelangelo Benedict). I remember, even, had the opportunity to meet with Estonian President. Several things I left their mark: their bright nights (hurry with craft and hobby), imprinting technology (I was surprised that Estonians card to pay periodic meetings and "digital" council of ministers took place without an ounce of paper on the table), the strength of the teaching of Spanish and, especially, the beauty of its historic, more like one of those enchanted cities that populated the pages of Amadis of Gaul and that fire the imagination of our Don Quixote.
There are corners of the world so special that it is better to never return to tempt not random. Staying with the spoils of the lived emotional reward enough
But all those fears disappeared as the ferry entered the bay of Tallinn. The old city was as immaculate as he remembered, streets with their fantasy, paper domes, roofs borrowed from a tale of Brothers Grimm, pregnant walls of enigmas and, emerging from that perfect watercolor, Hill Toompea. The euro had not sat anything bad to old Tallinn, surely one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. We had the whole day ahead before returning to Helsinki. It was to be a brief reunion, but intense. He was forced to sift through the memories in search of those corners that seduced me.
The backbone of any visit to Tallinn is the Long shaft (street long leg), rising from the Margareta Tower (the natural entrance from the sea) hasta Toompea. Just start the journey you have to turn right to go up the tower Church of St. Olav, with their 124 meters (measuring reached 30 more) was once the tallest building in Europe. Up the 234 steps (although the point tourist brochure 258) of its spiral staircase requires breath more than once, but overcome this oppressive atmosphere, the views from the top are simply magnificent (a change of only two euros).
The old city was as immaculate as he remembered, streets with their fantasy, paper domes, roofs borrowed from a story by the Brothers Grimm
Back in Pikk jalg, buildings occur that require digging through the guide. I'll take three: the House of the Three Sisters (No. 71) and its beautiful Gothic portal; the House of the Blackheads (No. 26), the former headquarters of a trade association (blackhead is San Mauricio, your employer, martyred in the thirteenth century) and the modernist façade of the former headquarters of Artisans Guild of San Canuto (No. 24). Meanwhile art, a detail more prosaic: poking a snow plow in the trunk of a car parked on the street near Lai speaks very clearly of the harshness of winter is coming Estonian.
My memory had not crushed the memory of the Town Hall Square. Era, in fact, retaining the sharpest. The arcades, its octagonal tower infinite needle, flashing dragons, the watchmen, XV century pharmacy… A stop along the way before tackling the climb to Toompea in search of their viewpoints. Those of Patkuli and The tip of the court are especially recommended, with its walls and towers panoramic girded by the sea. In the first we snuggles a fellow who speaks Spanish. It has learned that self-taught in four years practicing with tourists (hustler pattern you can find anywhere in the world with similar speech). Intends to sell some coins from Soviet times (Estonia is not independent from the Soviet Union to 1991). Four in exchange for five euros. Never had desire collector. Why do I want a coin with the image of Stalin?
In the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sexton polishes golden candle light bulbs long as the prayer list unfulfilled
The long leg street leads to the Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral, symbol of Russian domination. Two elderly women begging on the door, at the foot of the stairs, quite successfully. Within, Sexton polishes golden candle light bulbs long as the list of unfulfilled prayers as worshipers are cuddle up to the pictures with images of saints whispering favors and acknowledgments.
In the nearby park Elgin Location the cold hits you in the face, so after prowling around the castle and its medieval tower, Pikk Hermann, where 1991 Estonian flag was raised as an affirmation of national sovereignty recovered, headed downhill toward a side street leading to another tower, Kiek in the Cook, that rises with gardens (Harju Hill) that autumn has sublimated colors and shades.
A gate still survives traders closed lower at night to prevent mancillasen noble honor of their women
Retracing our steps, Pikk thereof born jalg Short Leg, Street short leg, by some steep stairs, through an arch under the wall filled with history and symbolism. Here is a wooden gate that traders of the lower closed and barred every night to prevent mancillasen noble honor of their women. Today, whenever there is a relay in front of the City Mayor and his deputy lost given here the relay to symbolize good neighborliness among all sectors of the city. The heavy door at least you do not have to close at night.
In the same Pikk jalg, we stop to eat at the restaurant hotel Old Town (No. 29), located in the cellar of the building. Estonian typically chose a menu: un "heerinagaleeivad" (rye bread with smoked trout and various seasonings) appetizer, "Räimed kartuliva" (Herring with potato foam and ratatouille) and, dessert, kamakreem, a delicious mousse. You can not miss the essential beer estonia, Saku, pint sale for three euros, half price in Finland.
The rewards of this evening that stretches as if they resisted to die, el pasaje Katarina, one of the most charming places in Tallinn
With the day about to kneel, two discoveries and a reunion. The latter with Viru Gate and its two towers, one of my memories of my previous perishable stay in the city, then marked as flower stalls. The rewards of this evening that stretches as if they resisted to die, the Katarina pasaje, one of the most charming places in Tallinn. Among the streets and Müürivahe Vene, This cobbled passageway perpendicular to the walls is guarded by a few tombstones of a former Dominican convent (some XIV century) which have been aligned on the wall. The alley, with bows that seem to protect, gives off an aura of mystery that the traveler can not and will avoid.
Back at the ferry, a chance meeting with a fellow, he Sevillian, and a dose of reality versus fantasy so. Icade's student and spent three months working in Tallinn. "Here we are paid as if we were stitching footballs in Singapore", reminding laments that the minimum wage in Estonia are 250 EUR.
"Here we are paid as if we were stitching footballs in Singapore", complains a fellow who has spent three months working in Tallinn
We consume the last minute Tallinn and no better place to say goodbye to the old city walls, now gilded by the last rays of sun. Beside them, Laboratooriumi street (near St. Olav), Temple is a unique and little known: the Church of the Holy Virgin of Three Hands, refuge of all those unhappy unfairly convicted. Is closed. In his small facade a mailbox to leave prayers. The priest promises to intercede.
