Here in London Town. Nothing has changed.

Still there is hot water to wash your left and cold water to wash your right hand in this town. Most likely an invention of muslims, because others usually don’t need to wash left hand more thoroughly. And can use both to eat. In addition to that, for dumber tourists there are instructions on the wall, on how to use the tap and shower curtain in bath tub. First one was pretty useful, because even though we are not talking hi-tech here, I’m always having some trouble with those taps, where one is for temperature and other one for water pressure.

Btw, useful tip when flying from Tallinn. There is no need to arrive an hour or one and half earlier. Arrive for the final call and the security will let you through without standing in line. While I was through first third of the not so short line, at least 10 people got straight to screening.It’s nice and cool in London, got even some shower on Sunday a bit. When I woke up today morning, it was pouring rain with lightning, after I got out of shower, sky was blue and sun was out.

Checked out a menu in Notting Hill on Sunday, chose a salad and entered the restaurant. And somehow between choosing the salad and placing the order, something must have gone wrong, because I ended up eating salmon tagliatelle… Go figure. When paying the bill, there was an additional line after pasta and cappucciono: Optional Swervice fee 12,5%. I didn’t notice the opt out option though.

Had planned some culture yesterday - I’ll go see the Tower Bridge and on the way check out TK Maxx too. Or maybe it was other way round that TK Maxx was planned and Tower Bridge was just round the corner there.. Well, anyway, never made it to the sightseeing. We went to Oxford street, got some Lush goods with nice discount and since there was UniQlo across the street, I spent some time there and another TK Maxx was basically around the corner, where I spent an hour checking out the newest trends. Before I realized, the sun was setting behind the horizon and I hadn’t seen any bridge. Instead I was standing in front of a tube station, reading the stops on the Northern Line and if few hours ago my Old Street station was on the scheme too, it wasn’t anymore. I looked at the big tube map, still there. Looked at the scheme, nothing.  Started to doubt my eyesight, although it was just checked and was carefully reading every line on the scheme, but what wasn’t there, was the Old Street. I saw a uniformed lady and asked her. She explained to me the on-off relationship of the Northern Line, that’s sometimes together and sometimes apart. In this station they’re apart and my Old Street might be on the same line, but I can’t get there directly from this station. Have to change. It seems that in addition to the bathrooms, also their tube system could use some additional explanations.

The One who asks

shall receive free cake. Even in Estonia. We were in Must Puudel the other day and ordered among other things salmon salads with quail egg. When the plates arrived, it turned out that the quails have started to give chicken eggs. I pointed that out and the girl took the salads back to the kitchen to investigate the issue. She came back and let us know that they are out of quail eggs. So I asked if we can get a discount (it doesn't matter that half the chicken egg is bigger than one quail egg, because quail egg is way tastier). She couldn't give us discount, but offered us cake on the house. We graciously agreed (they have delicious cakes), because we had planned to go to Gelato Ladies for ice cream anyway, so replacing ice cream with free cake was a no-brainer. And the Mississipi Mudcake still melted in my mouth. After we got out of the restaurant, it turned out that there is no replacing one with other and we better make our way to Gelato Ladies for some Pavlova ice creams. As usually I took one scoop with two flavours or so I thought. In check out it turned out that it was only me thinking it and they had managed to squeeze two scoops into that small waffle. The misunderstanding was solved quickly and they charged for one scoop only.

On the other hand I don't think, it's OK from the chef to replace or leave out some ingredients from the food depending of his mood or availability and not to mention that to the server. I get it that most of the people don't want to be "difficult" or are too shy and eat the food that was brought, but not everyone is that way. And the server will end up in a way more uncomfortable situation than it would have been, if she would have been informed about the replacement. And anyway, in most of the cases the customer should be asked first before making bigger changes. I just remembered a time from years ago when we were waiting for the ferry to Stockholm and having dinner in a nearby cafe. I had ordered mascarpone filled pancake with raspberry sauce. And I did order it because of the raspberries. They brought me pancake that was covered with chocolate. But on my plate those two don't belong together. Coming back from the kitchen, the waiter informed me that they are out of raspberry sauce. So I sent the pancake back and ordered a salad. My scale was happy. And I'm happy when my scale is happy.

Anyway, by now I'm convinced that the food that is not what's ordered, should be sent back more often. Yes, I'm aware that children are starving in Rwanda and most of the people doesn't want to be complaining bitches and eat what's brought, pay the bill and go to Facebook to complain about it. Instead of letting them prepare you a new meal. I get it. I'm the same mostly. Especially when eating out with bigger group. Recently I ordered a tuna steak in Tallinn, and thinking about the delicious tuna in Trühvel, I asked to make it medium rare. The tuna that arrived, had raised at least several generations of descendants, died seven deaths after that and on the grill overcooked. Even medium is to nicely said about it, from medium rare it was just as far as Friday is from Monday (when you look at it on Monday). And it was tougher than a chicken that has spent its life running around in the garden training for marathon and in old age killed for mercy. I left some of the tuna, because I wasn't able to chew it anymore and it was stuck between my teeth too. On the other plates, those, who ordered meat, I could see perfect medium rare. And we had waited over an hour for the food. So, I decided to just mention it to the server, getting the plates. Well, he asked, so can't blame anyone but himself. He promised to give the feedback to the chef. I think, the fisherman should get it too. 

Every time I'm away from keyboard, I have so many great ideas to write about. Like today - on my way to market I wrote a long, informative and hilarious blog post in my head. Getting home and enthusiastically sitting down with my laptop, in best cases I can recall 2 sentences. And sitting on the couch for example the bicyclers don't seem such idiots. And so I skip writing about them. Although I do have a very strong opinion about them.

One would think that with this heat, where the food I eat, is mainly cold water, colder wine and slices of watermelon, the weight disappears like by miracle. But nothing like that. Instead of Victoria's Secret model we have a Sponge Bob here that just absorbs all the liquid. Or like a commercial that presented paper towel that was like absorbing a liter of water into one piece of it. I just in case have started to prepare my husband that when we meet, he should keep his eyes out for Peppa the Pig.

Literature Critic has spoken

I have a list of books that I have been wanting to write about, but busy as I am, the list keeps getting longer, but there's still no word put on paper. Or in the blog for that matter. Anyway, it's time to correct the mistake and here's the carrot and constructive critics.

Lauri Räpp - There's a Cafe at the End of the World
In the winter I borrowed from Gerli and read "Looking back at Tartu" from Lauri Räpp. It was really cool reading with lots of memories resurfacing. Well, I could remember most of the things, he wrote about apart from the house parties in Annelinn. Never visited one of those. They finished before I started to consume alcohol and visit parties.
Anyway, I noticed his new book in Apollo one day and when quick browsing told me that there's a chapter also about Hoi An, where I recently spent more than a week, I made my way, sorry, my fingers made their way to ester.ee (library database) and as soon as there was the information that someone had returned the book, I beelined to the library. Lady Luck was on my side and so I could walk home with the book.
On one side, it's like a travel book, on the other not the usual random travel diary. He writes smoother than a calm sea before sunset and makes you want to pack the bag again. Wait... No, it does not. The desire to pack the bags is a constant state of mind.

Tui Hirv - My Reykjavik
For a little while we had an idea to visit Iceland in the summer. However, loyal blog readers must know that this trip hasn't happened (yet). But in the planning phase I did start to read "My Reykjavik". And then I read it and read it and read it, mainly because I don't like to not finishing books after I've started reading them. It kind of feels more like waste of time than finishing lousy books. And there was some interesting information hidden under all that whining and critics. And then I extended the return deadline for another 3 weeks and kept reading. Finally, when I finished and returned the book, I had to pay fine too, because the total time spent on the book was more than one and half months. I think, the only books, that took me longer were Master and Margarita, which I also didn't like and Railway Bazar from Paul Theraux, which unlike My Rejkyavik was a great book, just really intense.
There are good books too in the My-series - whenever possible, I've always praised India, Mongolia, Guatemala, France and most likely several more. And there are extremely bad books in the series too. Bad for very different reasons - f.e. when the writer clearly dislikes the country and instead of writing about it through humour, there are 200 pages full of critics and whining. Or the whole book is just boring description of the country. Or it's just badly written.
The writing style of My Reykjavik was alright, but already in the first third of the book I was fed up with the author criticizing Estonia. I get - she ended up in heaven on Earth in Iceland and in compare to Iceland everything is so bad in Estonia that it's a miracle there are still some people left here. Even being an alcoholic is less bad there than it is here. Although reading about it gave me the impression that it's a way bigger problem there. I personally am glad that the author has found her place and doesn't need to suffer in the sh*thole and I'm also happy that she's far away from Estonia.
Disclaimer: I also didn't like My Iceland, so maybe it's impossible to write a good book about the country.

Leelo Tungal - Little Comrade
We first saw the movie in the cinema and then I decided that I want to read it too. I knew that the book with movie picture on the cover was second edition and my experience so far had proven that the newest one is never available in the library whereas the well read older ones are always there. So, without consulting Ester.ee first I made my way to the library... just to find myself in front of the shelf by "T" and see only one book by Tungal there which was definitely not desired Little Comrade. So I was keeping my eye harder than Bruce Willis in the legendary movie on ester.ee, but it seemed to be failed attempt. The ones, managed to grab one book, didn't plan to let it go apparently. Until the Lady Luck was smiling again and I got to borrow it from the electronic library. So I read it in my phone.
In the beginning I was somewhat annoyed with the 4-year old writing style, but got used to it pretty fast and it was very interesting reading. However, I have to admit, that despite having a lot left out (as it's always the case with book vs. movie) it was just as good.

Mihkel Raud - Where I am and how you can get much further
As mentioned previously this book only came with me home, because I noticed it on the counter in the library. But sometimes good things happen unexpectedly and so this book happened too. I finished Räpp and started with Raud. Read some of it with my third breakfast coffee, then some on the beach while sun and wind bathing, some later at home and half of Sunday and finished. Didn't find any life changing truths there and I do have my doubts ever getting further than Mihkel Raud, but it was a very entertaining reading. I like his ability to laugh at himself and also when critics are written through humour. So - absolutely recommendable self-aid book that didn't help me, but surely entertained me.

Topless in Tallinn

It seems like the restaurant in old town Tallinn should start putting out signs like those in Asia stating that men, would please kindly wear a shirt to dinner. Feels like a basic knowledge that you don't enter the diners in old town topless with your big beer belly, but apparently only for some part of the locals and tourists. Anyway, one of those signs should stand next to Must Puudel so that next time we wouldn't need to enter through tables, where half naked men are sitting. Disclaimer - I also don't want to see slim shirtless guys or topless women in diners. Nor naked kids. If you don't have enough clothes, have picnics in your own yard. With naked childred, I just remembered, how I walked through the park last night and an approximately 3 years old buy needed to pee. Instead of directing him toward some bush, he, with the obvious permission of his parents, he was peeing right in the middle of the grass, his little boy pride visible to all people walking by. I agree, the public toilet barely 200 meters away is too dirty for kids to use it, but just like you don't relieve yourself on the beach or into the sea, you shouldn't be doing it in the middle of the park.

Went to the doctor's the other day. After hearing, what I do for my job every day (recruiting), the 65+ lady, who clearly is spending all of her free time on the beach or in the solarium told me that I'm the one, placing the slaves and definitely don't want to pay them salary either. She herself always answers the salary questions with "I'm not a cheap woman". She also took a look at my birthmark and mentioned that the doctors have been scaring the people, but she likes to sunbath and anyway, vitamin D is important too. Looking at her skin and all the sunspots covering all the bare skin, it was clear that she's definitely not lacking vitamin D.

Started the new book of Lauri Räpp the other day - "There's a Cafe at the End of the World" and finished it this morning. Since the library also had Mihkel Raud's "Where I am and how you can get much further" that came home with me, I started reading that one right away. We spent 1,5 hours quality time on the beach in the afternoon and by bedtime I was reading the second half already. Eyes falling shut, but can't put the book away. I remembered the times when I was reading the newest from Grisham until 3-4am. It was so enthralling that "I'll finish the chapter and go to bed" turned into the same statement 15 minutes later. And then, 4:30am, having the alarm set for 7am to go to work, I did set the book aside in the middle of the last chapter. Just to have something to wait for tomorrow night. Right in the middle of the most exciting place, I tell you that :)

I've always had a good relationship with books and been reading everything from random chick flicks to Dostojevski and sci-fi. In the elementary school I was bringing home 2-3 books from library almost daily, and returned them the next day. Librarian few times asked me even, whether I actually read them or just watch the pictures... From the times I've started book diary in this blog too, the number of books, Ive been reading has done pretty much jo-jo. There has been a year, when I read less than a book in a week and also a year, when I finished more than 250 books a year. I read a lot while travelling. In the hammock on the cottage terrace or chair under the palm tree or with morning coffee, also in airports, on the planes, in the buses or while waiting. Kindle is an invention I'm very grateful for.

Did buy some watermelon in Selver the other day and now, 48 hours later I can confirm that the recent allergy I was mentioning, was caused by the quorn. On the mentioned Thursday night, there were two counters open and the area with 3-4 empty self-check-outs. Those two (wo)manned counters both had 3-4 customers waiting, half of them some Scandinavians, buying carts full of beer and chips. Anyway, neither of the lines was actually moving forward. Where Prisma, Rimi and Konsum have all reasonable self-check-outs - you go to the store, choose your goods, walk to the counter, register all the stuff, pay, pack your stuff and leave, but Selver and the Department Store have come out with some kind of remote thing, where you first have to register your loyalty card and then, before going to the check-out, register all of your chosen stuff with the remote. But. I haven't registered my card and have no desire to do that. So, well, I stand in the line for ten minutes at 9:00pm until all the A le Coqs and Lays have been checked out with extreme care... Because I can't see it as convenient to register every item before putting it in the bag. And then hassle with the remote, the goods and your bag or basket at the same time. If Prisma would have a better watermelons and a reasonable choice of fresh juices, I would probably never visit Selver.

Return of the lost slipper

My slippers are back! I was already concerned, because I was sure that the fan flew them into the woods and our chip monkeys have them now. Even if that happened, they have returned home.

I saw an add that somebody is selling a little hedgehog in Ann Arbor. I told Scott that we should get it and he/she can use my slippers as a nest, but Scott is obviously not a pet person! We are still hedgehogless.

Went to the cinema yesterday to watch the Book Club. I’ve always thought that the trailers shown before movie are based on target group’s movie choice. Rightly so, I was already questioning what kind of movie did we choose, since they decided to show us trailers of different thrillers, where brains were cut into pieces. And when I finally thought that there is a good movie coming soon, it turned out to be Lexus commercial.

My taxi driver today managed to tell me during the 10 minute ride where he lives, that he has been living six years in Asia, lived and had some business in Kongo, is using Yandex taxi himself too sometimes, doesn’t think much of niggers (his wording!), especially of Nigerians and is in construction business now, needing to hire 10 workers. Not that I asked about any of that.

Slippers on adventure

While I'm spending my time in Estonia, my slippers are still in US. Neatly next to the bed. For months. Until one day they got some excitment in their existence:

And then they got on the table:

And had some terrace time with Scott:

Until yesterday morning:

That relaxing spray

I was sorting the box in the bathroom, where I keep all the cosmetics and hygiene stuff that is not in everyday use. Like travel size toothpaste, new lip balms, toothbrush heads etc. Usually once or twice a year I throw everything out that has passed the due date and today happened to be one of those times. Among other things there was a little relaxing air freshener in the box. Brought from the hotel in Detroit, where there was a kit of three items for a nice relaxing session after a long day running from one sightseeing place to another. Besides the spray there was also lavender lotion for tired feet and something else that I can't remember anymore as it's been finished a while ago. Anyway, I grabbed the relaxing bottle in my hand and it turned out that meanwhile most of the liquid had been trying to escape the bottle, so when I removed the cap, all the chill and relax poured into my hands. At the moment I can assure you that in such an amount the fragrance is a far cry form relaxing and starts to annoy more than just a bit. Especially since it shows no hint of leaving even after washing my hands for the third time...

In January, when I went out for shoeshopping to be able to wear something with slightly higher heel than my usual Skechers sneakers on our wedding, I started with TJ Maxx and although I didn't find there anything to take to Vegas, I did bring a pair of white leather summer shoes for 10 dollars home with me. Today I took them out to introduce them the streets of Tallinn. After four hours outside, a bit more than 10.000 steps and half a package of band aid, I'm not sure those shoes will get anymore fresh air and sun this summer.

At some point during spring, there were talks that Rataskaevu 16 has plans to open a new place on Kopli street. Right before summer Ülo was opened and today was finally the day when we made it there. The young lady started to introduce us the menu by listing everything they don't have at the moment. Since I've been few times in the situation where every time I choose something, I hear from the waitress that "Oh, we're out of that", it was actually very convenient. And to be honest, I couldn't care less whether they have or have not beef tacos and chili con tofu. I was somewhat disappointed that they didn't have prawns, but it was compensated by delicious and crunchy sweet potato fries.

To get dessert, we walked to Gelato ladies and taking our places in the queue reaching almost the street, it was clear that all the tourists and at least half the locals had the same plan. I remained true to the best strawberry ice cream in the country and complimented it with pavlova ice cream, a new player in their freezer. Later I patted myself on the shoulder for choosing such a great combination.

Quorn. Mykoprotein. Allergy.

I've never really been allergic to anything but nickel, penicillin and idiots. And out of that list I only know about penicillin allergy through third parties. Nickel wounds I've treated on my ears and around the waist (belt buckle) as well as on hands and feet after using silverware that contained nickel in Philippines. Last item on the list luckily causes no visual symptoms.

Today when I woke up with huge red areas and different size itching rash on my body, it was fairly obvious that there must be some other allergy in stock. I suspected watermelon, since I had about a kilo of it yesterday. I didn't have anymore watermelon during the day and the rash more or less disappeared, I considered the chapter closed. Until an hour after watermelonless dinner I had a rash like I would have been running naked through a field of nettles. Went through the menu of last two days and the next suspect is mykoprotein. Also known as quorn. Something that I ate several times in US and that's recently also became available in Prisma. It's derived from fungus and grown by fermentation and processed into meatlike products for vegans and vegetarians.

Anyway, now I'm testing, whether not eating the quorn will keep the nettle rash away.

For obvious reasons there are no pictures in this post.