EasyJet took Karin, Cor and I to Berlin early, early on Wednesday, June 4th. We arrived in Berlin at 8am and had until 8 that night to catch another flight to Tallinn, Estonia. Fat Tire Bike Tours (no affliation to the New Belgium Brewery) gave us an awesome four hour bike tour of the city. Our guide, Enda, gets props for his history lessons and storytelling which kept of group of 25 feeling light and humored. As in most European cities, there is important history around any block, and Berlin was right up there with the notable Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie. I'm totally sold on bike tours. It was so fun!
Berlin was great, but we were happy
to leave since it was a bit hot and Cory and I were getting tired of hearing Karin sneeze. Actually, I was struggling too in one of Berlin's worst allergy seasons in years, but poor Karin had probably sneezed a couple hundred times during the tour. So anyways, we made it to Tallin that night and were greeted with cool temperatures, Scandinavian daylight hours (@1am), and the smiling faces of some of Karin's friends. You might be asking, "Why Estonia?", and I would answer that Karin has raved about the country the last eight and a half months we have lived with her. And for lack of a better reason, to see the country where Link, Encino Man, is from!Karin actually spent 6 years in this small country sharing the good news of Jesus before moving to Spain. It was super fun having her show us around and the people she knew were incredibly hospitable. We split our time between the Mason's, who live in the capital city, and the Jurgens, in Tartu, a city South of Tallinn a couple hourse. We were spoiled in Tallinn with a beautiful old town center, Estonian garlic bread, Saku beer, green thick forests, Wendy's amazing cooking, anf four entertaining kids who showed us up on a trampoline and swing that swung from the upstairs balcony. Oh, and I can't forget the really comfortable, fresh-lilac smellling bedroom! Tallinn has a population of 400,000, which felt SOMETHING...to Madrid's 3.5 million , and we were so refreshed with the size of Tartu's 100,000. There we stayed with Kristal and Hermann Jurgens, a super cute Estonian couple, and their three kids - Tobias, 5, Mattias, 3, and Brita, 3 months. Cory loved their neighborhood because it was called "Soup Town" (Trans. to Eng.) and had streets named Carrot and Cabbage. We stayed on the corner of Pea and Melon...Cory's dreamland. The highlight of Tartu ended up being the Estonian Swing - a crazy, physics-minded swing, that I can only explain to you through pictures. I was pretty freaked out at first at how high this thing went. I am sure that our friend Zech will build one of these things some day. They are a blast!
Before this gets too long, I'll fast forward to our last stop on this trip, Norway. Karin had been so excited seeing old friends in Estonia that she forgot to double check her itineary and missed her flight back to Spain, so after a few laughs and another night together in Estonia, we parted ways and Cor and I continued on to Oslo. Flying in, Norway seemed comparable to Estonia's lush greenery, only it had mountains - a purposeful destination after living in the 'burbs of Madrid. I can say two things about Norway: 1) 100% incredible scenery 2) Crazy expensive. We mad a big loop from Oslo, going West to Bergen by train, and then northeast to Skjolden by boat and bus through the Sogndal and Luster Fjord
s. Everywhere you go in the fjordlands is breathtaking. Emerald waters, tons of waterfalls, dense, green forests, steep mountains, glaciers, and on and on. It is such an incredible place! We stayed at a friend's hostel (Mr.D's place for the former CSCSers out there) in Skjolden, which is honestly the most incredible and beautiful hostel spot in the world. We saw our share of waterfalls, camped, fished, read, and just enjoyed a reflective time together, preparing for our return home to The States. Hanging out with the Dooyemas and being challenged by their questions was also really great for us!Cor and I spent our 2nd anniversary on this trip as well. Feeling a pinch of the Norway exchange, we decided to go cheap and camp while in Bergen the day of our anniversary. It was a memorable one for sure: lots of rain, lots of slugs, and camping in the city next to a Friele coffee factory in some dude's backyard - the same guy who ran the "campsite". It was really funny, and I am grateful for a wife who doesn't demand she be lavished on her anniversary - although I know I owe her! So, that's it, only one more blog in which we'll part from you all with a few last words. This trip to Estonia and Norway has been one of the best. Closure is near, and our traveling toes and change purses are weary from being on the move. Thanks for reading and excited to see you soon...
From the fjords...
tcl
Berlin Pics Here
Estonia Pics Here
Norway Pics Here
1 comment:
First of all, the Dooyemas? As in Mr. D or Bible teacher? I think I forgot if you told me that already.
Second of all, I bet you fit in perfectly in Norway as did Randolf when he went. He went to most of the places you went, so glad you got to go. Can't wait to see you!!!!
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