Tallinn, Estonia

I arrived in Tallinn and proceeded to the exit. I called for an Uber to take me to the bus station where I had to get the bus to Saint Petersburg. The app said it was a grey Mazda, but when I see the front plate, it is white. I asked the driver, who had decent English, he said he didn’t know why. Once it said the car was pink. I don’t believe him, but he isn’t my competition, so I don’t care about reporting it.

Classic Soviet style building.

I went to the desk and verified I was at the right station, an import step if you want to get the right bus. It was correct.

Since I had over three hours to wait, I was going to browse the city a bit. I didn’t want to lug my bags around, I notice they have lockers, down a set of stairs, of course.

The lockers are 2 euros, but I don’t have any euros. There is an ATM, but even if I use it, I won’t have 2 euro coins. Likely, I’d have a 20 euro note, then I’d have to find some one to exchange it.

I know what most of this means, but what is a “pood”? Do I want to know?

A quick G-search and there is an exchange nearby, about 20 minute walk. I have the time, so I start walking. After about 7-8 minutes, I see that Google says it is still 19 minutes away. What? I am a faster walker than most people, so I should have covered way more.

Also, the sidewalks, where there was one, were cobblestone, not the best rolling surface for tiny luggage wheels. Took a few photos of interesting buildings along the way. But at some point I realize that I would still have to return all the way back along the same rough sidewalks. I turned the corner and went down a parallel street, back to the station.

I could just sit in the station and update my site while I wait.

Problem, no wifi at the station, so laptop can’t be used.

Second problem, the toilet is 0.40. Again I don’t have euros and especially coins. Another quick search shows a nearby McD’s (the only time I ever go, is to use the toilet), but it is further than the exchange. Well, I hope the bus has one.

There is a lot of bird screeching around the station, calls and what sounds like a fight. Only I realized later, it was a recording, probably to keep pigeons from shitting on everything.

It is cool, but I can handle it with just my flannel jacket. When I arrived, it was 16C/60F. By the time the bus pulled up, it was 20C/68F, but felt colder as the sun was going down.