Review of: The Royal Cardinal Hotel (Paris)

During our stay in Paris (April 27-30th, 2011), we stayed at The Royal Cardinal Hotel in the Latin-Quarter of Paris.
You may have read my previous posting about our trip to Paris - it was quite lengthy - but here are the pros and cons of the hotel based solely on my opinion and experience there.
Please note it is a 2-Star rated hotel and that the hotel itself does not necessarily look like the photos portrayed on their web site.  We had a single bedroom at a rate of a little over 104�/night.

PROS:

• Staff are friendly and bilingual (for the most part)
• Very conveniently located near the Finnish Institute, in which my husband was participating in some conferences (approximately 10 minutes walk down the road at a slow "tourist taking everything in" pace)
• Crepperie across the road
• Continental breakfast is delivered to your room before 10am (cost is 6� per person per breakfast) which includes � a baguette, a croissant and your choice of beverage (hot chocolate, tea or coffee or juice)
• Not sure if this is recorded either - because during check-out -we were asked if we had had any breakfasts and how many in total
• **Please note if you order tea or coffee - you get hot milk  - not cold...as a North American - we usually put cold cream or milk in our hot beverages to cool off the drink...so this was new to me and just as delicious!
• Close to a pharmacy and a grocery shop called "Monoprix"
• Just close to lots of things in general - took less than 30 minutes to walk to the Notre Dame
• Supposedly has WI-FI (wireless internet)
• Cable television, flat screen and high up on the wall (away from a curious baby! BONUS!)
• Balcony is available on all floors (from the outside it appears that way) - however, the plants are not maintained and they were brown and dead.  
• The decor in the hall way (spiral stair case) is beautifully painted
• 1 Key per room and you leave it at the desk and don't have to worry about losing keys
• You punch in your requested wake-up time on the phone
• Shuttle from Hotel to airport is available at 17� /person (minimum 2 people) - however I don't think they have a way of keeping record of it.  Because we were asked at check-out if we had booked one...

CONS:

• 1 elevator and it can be small if breakfast is being served or trays are being removed from rooms in the morning, as there's a table inside that folds out from the wall.
• Once, the elevator was locked open on the bottom floor (as they were preparing and serving breakfasts to other clients - understandably) and this was a great inconvenience as we had a huge suit case and while I made it to the bottom with my son on my back - I noticed the staff were merely chatting (one was prepping the next tray for delivery) and the one who was doing the delivery eventually went in and had nothing extra to bring....seeing as the hotel is 6 floors - this could be a great inconvenience to those needing to depart quickly and with luggage.
• The shower was confusing to use - but even still - the water changed temperatures regularly (to ice cold to scalding hot) and changed in pressure and amounts.  The last day there - I couldn't even get one!!  The water was barely dripping from the overhead shower head...I was not impressed at all.
• For those expecting high amounts of services - these were not available (no list or booklet by the phone that I could see):
• No Room service (aside from breakfast that seems to be the same everyday)
• No Laundry service
• No ironing table or iron
• Didn't see a Bible for those that like a bit of late night reading
• No emergency sewing kit (I don't always see them but occasionally)
• No lint brush or shoe horn or shoe brush (we had this all in Estonia) and I do realize not all hotels offer this as well - but for those that perhaps are used to it - it'd be best to bring your own.
• **However, there was an electronic safe in the closet**
• We were not notified (nor did we think to ask as "Continental Breakfast" is usually included in the hotel fees) of the cost of the breakfast until we sleepily got into the elevator.  Cheaper than eating out - but the baguettes could've been fresher.
• The walls are pretty thin...so if you're thinking Paris is the City of Romance and thinking of getting romantic with your loved one - bear in mind - the whole floor will probably hear you.  The door is quite thin as well - and it was easy to hear anybody in the hall at any time of the day.
• This was a huge issue for me, as my son was teething (and still upset after being given pain medication) and the neighbours next door repeatedly pounded/knocked on the wall.  Thankfully, I know they were not asleep prior to our arrival around 10pm - as I could hear their television and chatter.  However, it's annoying and a pain - so I ended up yelling through the wall my apologies and had half a mind to leave them an angry note.
• I asked if the WI-FI connection required a password, I was advised there is no password - and had to assume that the network would be listed under "Hotel Cardinal" or something similar to the name of the hotel we stayed in.  There was no such network and any other network we could find, required a password.
• My husband was with a colleague who asked how to access the WI-FI (in fluent French) to the lady manning the front desk and she had no idea what "Wireless internet" or "WI-FI" even was...despite the promotion of it on their website and a large and bright pink/purple sticker on the front door.

So as you can see - I tried to make mental notes (written ones too) of average hotels in comparison to this one...There is a reason this place has a current 2 star rating.  

I do not want to sound overly harsh or rude - but this place would only get a 1-star rating from me because the grill next door was delicious and of it's convenient location.

The water tasted a bit off too - but perhaps that is all throughout France - as suggested by a colleague of ours living there currently.

Bonjour From Paris!

(I'm back from Paris and couldn't blog while on the go because the internet was weird in our hotel....a review of our hotel to come later.  More like a butchering I suppose...)

So we travelled via 3 different countries in 1 single day.  We took the boat from Estonia to Helsinki and then we flew from Helsinki to Paris (a little over 2.5 hours).
By the time we arrived in the airport, it was after 9pm (1 hour behind Finland) and we were exhausted.  There was the option of taking a shuttle bus at the wonderful cost of 17� per person.  Tim had the instructions for how to take the RER (subway) - so we opted for that and it turned out to be significantly cheaper (17,40� for the two of us - kids are free under age of 3 I think) and it took about 35 minutes.
We checked into our hotel, The Royal Cardinnal, and accepted a continental breakfast to be delivered to our room the next morning.  Once we squished ourselves into the elevator - we then noticed it was 6� for breakfast (but not specified if it was per person or per room)....
We quickly prepped for bed and crashed.

The next morning, we awoke early to cloudy skies and it was chilly.
The continental breakfast was our choice of hot beverage or juices (we opted for tea and coffee) and it came with hot milk (I'm used to cold milk to cool off the tea or coffee....so this was different!) and 1 baguette cut in half and 2 croissants.
The baguettes were good but not fresh.  I only say this because there was this off-taste about it and it wasn't hard as a rock or anything - but it wasn't as fresh as the ones you get from the bakeries.  My son devoured the croissants however!
After looking at the shower and figuring out that the bigger knob was the one that controlled the overhead shower head - we managed to get dressed and go explore.  We didn't have to meet our friends for a few hours so we grabbed a map and headed towards the Notre Dame.

A word of advice: go early in the morning - say around 9am or so...because by the time 10:30 rolls around - the line ups are massive for getting in.  Lots of school groups and tourist groups going in too.  There is free admission and you CAN take photos!

*You also have to remove your hat, be dressed respectfully (not necessarily your Sunday best but don't go there dressed like you're going to a club) and be quiet, especially if there is a service going on.*

Inside is breath taking....despite the dim lighting, the stained glass detailing is beautiful and all of it is amazing.

One thing I noticed while inside was the "modern style confessionals".  I've never confessed with a priest before, but typically it's inside a wooden box with a metal grate between you and the priest and your identity is a mystery.  (My husband said he saw those in there but I didn't).

What I did see were clear glass offices with a desk and 2 chairs sitting opposite of each other....and a sign outside saying it was a Confessions area!  How Modern!

While travelling on the bus - you can use a NaviGo (a purple colored electronic pad is located at all entrances for subways and air transportation - not planes but subways that go above ground and on the bus) Pass or you can purchase little tickets (10 for 12�) and insert it into a box to validate them.

One validated ticket is good for 1.5 hours and can usually be used to transfer between transportation systems but there's a trick.  (I forget if it's not used between RER and bus or what...it was complicated!)

It's easy enough to get on the bus with a stroller (you get on at the front and the aisles are wide enough for a standard single stroller) but getting to the RER has it's difficulties!  First of all, because it's a subway system underground - you have a lot of stairs to go down or around....super pain in the neck for a stroller!  Sometimes there are escalators (most times they are broken or stopped the direction that you need to go of course!)....and there's an occasional elevator...but not often!  So if you can  - back pack!

Sure lots of people have strollers with older children and the kid hops out and goes up/down the stairs by themselves while you maneuver the stroller along the stair well....but if your kid is asleep - then it can be difficult waking up a sleepy little one....

(The buses have an empty space in the middle for strollers or wheel chairs)

Oh and don't sneak onto the bus through the back door!  I saw 2 girls sneak on through the back door and the driver caught them, yelled loudly (how embarrassing!) and they exited the bus to get on through the front and pay.

Eating out in Paris

• Taxes and tips are included in the price
• There was a great little grilli place beside the hotel we stayed at - it was cheap, tasty and very friendly people working there (don't go at lunch time - you'll be yelling a lot to get your order!)
• There's a "Great Canadian Pub" with very expensive prices
• Pop can be expensive (at least 3� for a glass)
• Crepes are wonderful, cheap and can be hearty if you order the savoury ones!
• We went to a crepperie with our friend and it did not accept card payments...only cash
• Their savoury crepes were made with buckwheat
• We ate at the Mosque for lunch on our last day there and if you are a woman - be warned!  Not all waiters enjoy serving women and many don't.  So if you are a mixed group - then often the men will be served nicely and the women will have their plates tossed onto the table.
• The inside is beautiful and the food is tasty!!!!
• They also serve a mint tea and pour it from great heights (our waiter didn't...) and they have a platter of sweets and charge you based on how many you eat...it was so tasty!

Some lamb with prunes and almonds...no couscous or rice though.

Pouring the mint tea (the other waiters were pouring it from a much taller height...he probably doesn't like women).

We had some extra guests join us...

The delicious platter of pastries!

My choice...dates with walnuts

School System in Paris

• Kids start at the age of 3....as in they're sitting in a desk and learning - not running around and playing like most pre-schools at that age.  They start to prepare for regular school from the ages of 3-6.
• Kids go to school (regular school) from 8:30am-4:30pm
• They go to school 4x a week and have Wednesdays and weekends off, then they have 2 WEEKS OFF.  This cycle repeats itself throughout the year.
• Summer break is for nearly a full 2 months (July and August) and they resume school the first week of September.
• Christmas break is typically 2-2.5 weeks depending on when the holidays fall (similar to Canada)
• For lunch - they get a 3-course meal everyday
• They don't have school books...the teachers photocopy the school books and put them in a duotang of sorts.  (Why I don't know).
• Parents pick up their kids from school (or a friend does and there's a mutual meeting place) and then they get a baguette...EVERYDAY.  I found this interesting because I personally would think a baguette everyday would be very boring - but  I guess it's not for the kids.

Random Bits and Pieces

• You don't buy stamps at the Post Office...I know what an odd idea!  You buy them at the tobacco shops.
• The French are very proud of their postal system - to the point if you're trying to drop off a form - they ask that you put it in the mail box. (A friend experienced this).
• Don't drive here - it's not worth all the gas (and money) you'll burn.  It's cheaper and much easier to go by foot, bus or RER.  
• It took our friends about 4 hours to drive back from the airport after dropping a friend off (it takes 35 minutes by subway/RER)
• Most public bathrooms are free and they automatically disinfect themselves (how I don't know - I never needed the bathroom when we went by one).
• There's a lot of terrible parking here...and terrible driving - you can tell by the cars parking along the curve of the corner between 2 cross walks...Oh and by the scratches, scrapes and dents in the vehicles.
• If your kid throws a tantrum - don't be surprised if a random stranger will lecture them VERY LOUDLY (and in French)....this simply doesn't happen in Finland and often not in Canada either.  You typically mind your own business and let the parent do their thing.
• PICK POCKETING DOES HAPPEN!  If you are approached by people (typically of Roma culture or something similar) who are using sign language to you and shoving a clip board in your face with some pages on it (like a petition for you to sign) - DON'T SIGN IT.  Why? Because while you're reading what it's about - someone is pick pocketing you at the same time from behind.
• Just don't sign anything....it's far too risky.
• Cell phones are dirt cheap here  - but majority of the companies require you sign up for a contract of a minimum of 2 years.
• Disney Paris has a train that can go there frequently...oh and the entrance fee is 51� per child, 57� per adult (although...there IS a sale right now that adults can get in for a child fee...).  Needless to say - we didn't go.
• We did go to the Eiffel Tower (tour de Eiffel) via RER and it was huge.  There's a lengthy line up to go up the ET...get there by 9am if you don't want to wait too long.
• Same with the Louvre - we saw the outside of it but didn't have time to go inside...maybe next time!
• We were warned about an excessive amount of dog poop on the ground and that approximately 600 people get hospitalized from sliding in it and hurting themselves. (Hence why we didn't bring a stroller).
• However, if you stick to tourist locations - you rarely see any...there was more in Finland than in Paris.

The Tallinn Zoo...and overall impression of Tallinn

Yesterday we finally made it to the zoo.
We stopped by an R-Kioski to get our day pass for the bus/trolley and it was 4,74� for 24 hours of use.  We also swung by the bakery and got some delicious pastries that looked like 2 triangles put together, a little sticky looking on the outside and drizzled in chocolate.  Can't get any better - right?  Wrong.  Inside it turns out that this flakey pastry contained 2 sticks of chocolate!!!  Yep - every Monday should start off on that note.

So back to the bus/trolley pass...it looks like a little ticket stub and has "24 HOURS" printed on it (they also sell 3 day passes but for our case - we just needed the 1) in Estonian and when you get onto the trolley (not sure if it's the same as the bus) - you insert your pass into a little box and it stamps the date on it.
You only do this once and only need to show it when asked. 
The Estonian transportation system seems to run based on an honour system.  You can board the trolley at any one of it's doors (I believe there are 3 sets of doors) and just sit down or stand.  The trolley beeps loudly, the door shuts, there's an automated voice telling you what the next stop will be (yes "Zoo" sounds the same in Estonian as it does in English!) and you come and go as you like.  But be warned - if you are caught on the trolley without a properly dated ticket there's a fine of 40� (not sure what else is involved as the signs were in Russian and Estonian).

So we get to the Zoo and it's 6� for an all-day family pass.  The lady was confused as to why we wanted a "family pass" because she thought my husband was carrying a back pack...then she saw V�in� and was like "OHHHHH a BABY!"
The pass looks like a few receipts with barcodes on them and then this little old lady comes over and swipes them on the scanner and you get in.  The first thing you see is a big black statue of the word "ZOO" and some wooden trolleys to pull your kids around in.  Oh how handy!  Seeing as we didn't have a stroller - this was very useful and cost only 1� to rent it for the day.
We popped V�in� in a wooden trolley (wagon) and off we went to explore! 
*PLEASE NOTE: WHEN TOURING THE ZOO- ensure you have lots of batteries for your camera or an extra lithium one....mine died after about 150 photos or so....and it turned out there was a lot more to see than I expected!!**  AS WELL the indoor exhibits for the reptiles and fish request you do not use a flash as it disturbs the animals - please follow this...I saw some people who obviously could not read and was shocked at their rudeness by getting very close to the glass and letting their camera do the flashing.  Poor animals.  It stresses them out and can hurt them!** (Oh and the signs are in Estonian, English and Russian)

Some animals that I can remember off the top of my head (and of course not in order!):

• Goats of all kinds of varieties! (Including sheep and rams)
• Some were doing their mating call and it sounded like sneezing (or snorting) on the female and then a high-pitched "uh blub blub blub uh blub blub blub" - funniest thing ever!
• Snow Leopard (couldn't see them - they were hiding)
• Lion and lioness
• 2 beautiful tigers (I have never seen them before up close!)
• 2-3 polar bears (these were a huge hit with my 1.5 year old as they were walking around their enclosure and then standing very tall!)
• Lynx
• Puma
• Monkeys of various varieties (some are part of an indoor exhibit but do have access to outside during certain parts of the day) including chimps!
• Reptiles and other "dangerous" animals (i.e. crocodile or alligator and flesh-eating fish) were enclosed in an indoor exhibit
• Hippos
• Camels
• Kangaroos
• Wallabys
• Donkeys
• Warthogs (and other hogs)
• WIDE variety of birds (cranes, pheasants and others)
• The rhino has passed away after living to be 41 years old (in 2010) - but they're hoping to get more soon
• Elephants (there's an indoor elephant exhibit during parts of the day but mostly they are outside) 
•  The male, Carl, had his tusks removed due to him damaging them and causing him great pain.  There's a panel of information and photos of his surgery - OUCH!
• Turtles and tortoises
• Striped hyena
• Predator birds (eagles, falcons, hawks etc) - unfortunately this was temporarily closed - but we saw people walking around the blockades anyway...grr!

So many more animals but it was definitely worth every penny!  An individual adult fare was 3,20� and you can find more information here.

We spent over 3 hours here and managed to see everything there was to be seen - but would've loved to stay longer!

One thing I did do for V�in�, was get him a collector's coin.  It was in a machine that you pop in 2� and picked a silver coin that had a polar bear or an elephant on it.  I had to get the one with a polar bear on it - since he was so amazed by them.  On the back is written "Estonian Heritage Coin" with a map of Estonia and on the front, had a carving of a Polar Bear.
There was another machine that was similar but it only took 1,05�.  Seriously - and of course - I did not have 5 Euro Cents!  I think that machine allowed you to pick one of 3 designs and it flattened the 5 Euro Cents coin and imprinted the design on it as you cranked the handle.  Ah well.
The trolley stops across from the Zoo and there's a McDonalds, a Hesburger, a car dealership and a Prisma (and mall) across from the Zoo too.  So if you wanted to grab a quick bite to eat first - then mosey on over to the Zoo - it's one way to go!
There are also lots of picnic areas in the Zoo itself - as another option.  We saw a couple concession stands selling popcorn and cotton candy...and one cabin that sold more food (I think).

On your way out, the bus stop/trolley stop is right at the end and a little to your left (blue and white signs) and if you catch the #7 - it'll take you right back downtown (or relatively near).

Last night we walked around the Town Square some more and just relaxed.  We ate at a Chinese restaurant that was really cheap but tasty called the "Chinese Inn" and walked around some more.  We were stopped by a lady dressed in Medieval gear and she gave us some coins to get us a free drink with our meal..."But if you do not go to Olde Hansa today, surely can come back in the next 700 years and still use this coin!"
Olde Hansa is a beautiful, old medieval restaurant that was a bit out of our price range - as we're travelling to Canada so soon - but we'll definitely go back and try it (and make use of our free drinks!)!

Overall, I'd have to say we were extremely pleased with our trip to Tallinn and have already made plans to come back again.  I'll be making a separate post on bits of tidbits we picked up while in Tallinn - that'll hopefully help you on your adventure here - should you have the great oppourtunity to visit!

**We did not make it to the Open Air Museum - which is a real shame - but we'll try that next time!  I also plan on getting some almonds downtown today...or at least sample them!**

Day 2.5 in Estonia (a pretty funny post)

This morning, I swear - we were going to go to the Open Air Museum...I really mean it! Oh and the Tallinn Zoo!
So guess what stopped us?  My camera.  I took so many photos yesterday and forgot to charge the battery last night...and no it's not a digital camera that takes double A batteries...it has a rechargeable lithium...so it can't be used without this battery! Argh!
Well, we went to various churches and explored and it was nice.  Many churches request you do not take photos - fair enough.

We also enjoyed some elk soup at the Town Hall in the Town Square of Tallinn which was very tasty (as the sign suggests it is "Full of taste") and only 1� for a bowl of soup.  They sold buns for a Euro as well and drinks were 2� - but I didn't know what they sold for beverages and thought the soup would be satisfying enough.
They have outdoor benches and long dark wooden tables to sit at in shade from the sun.  At the very top of the Town Hall (look wayyyyyyyyyyyy up) you can see "Old Thomas" who is the mascot of Tallinn.  I got a couple magnets of him - so I'll take photos of that and perhaps create a Picasa Album online and link it here on the blog...much easier than individual photos!
When I paid for the soup - the lady asked if I needed anything else and I said no.  I remembered when sitting down that oh, I forgot spoons.
I sent the darling husband in to get spoons and she asked him, "What will you do for me, for your spoons?"
My husband was kind of stunned at first (I'm sure but he wouldn't admit it) and said, "Well, what do you want me to do for you, for my spoons?"
She requested that he brings the dishes in after he was done eating his soup.  It was  an old fashioned way of doing an exchange...we thought it was pretty neat but yes I thought it was quite dirty from an outsider's point of view!

As we went walking around, my son overloaded his diaper and ended up peeing his pants (thankfully he was walking around and not on my husband's back in the kid carrier!)...so while the husband ran home, I snuck into a hostel entrance, changed his diaper, then V�in� fell off the little rocky pillar he was standing on- landed on his back and I'm pretty sure the tour group that was JUST outside the hostel entrance have labelled me as "Bad - no wait WORST Mother of the Year"....great.  (He's fine by the way - no bruises either shockingly).
Note to self - bring extra pants...socks...more diapers...

Well after all that trauma....we found a bakery.  And not just any bakery but a REALLY cheap but delicious one!  For 70 Euro cents, we got a fresh, warm loaf of bread....it had a crisp but not crunchy crust...and it was a little sweet on the inside...yum.  We ate the whole thing while walking about today....oh and we got 2 pretzels as well...oh they were good...THEY WERE ONLY 45 EURO CENTS EACH!!!  We'll be back I'm sure.

We hiked a ridiculously long way to Kadriork Park (hope I spelled that right - don't have my glasses on and I can't find the tour guide book)...it's the summer home of a Russian Czar from a long time ago.  Unfortunately it was closed (opened Wednesday to Sunday) - but we had fun walking the grounds and taking some photos (while my camera still could).  There was a huge playground across the way - so that was lovely to let V�in� run and enjoy himself.
But as fun goes for a toddler - he was interested in eating sand (dip the shovel in the sand and lick it...licking it of course encouraged the sand to stick!) and not giving the shovel back....so we left after a quick 10 seconds diaper change!

On our way back to the flat - we stopped at McDonald's because they don't charge for using the bathroom, they are relatively clean and we decided on getting some Rotten Ronnies to get us enough energy to drag ourselves back home.  Yesterday I was there to take V�in� in for a quick diaper change and it was PACKED.
Why was it packed? Because it's �ber cheap!  Any kind of everyday McDonald's meal (we got a Big Mac and 6-piece nuggets) was only 3,20�!!! And if you wanted to upsize it - it was �3,80! (In Finland, it's 5,80� for a Big Mac Meal and the meals are a variety of prices)...I opted for a Happy Meal too, because neither my husband or I felt like sharing our fries - we were so exhausted from hiking around Tallin....(I know - bad mother rule #2...salt is a no-no - we gave him lots of fluids to flush it out after!) and it was 2,80� for a Happy Meal (it didn't cost extra to get a juice box! - I think it does in Canada) and if you wanted to make the meal bigger (i.e. granola bar or yoghurt container) - then it was 3,30�....my son was also highly entertained by his toy...a yellow bird from the movie "Rio".

I managed to get some souveniors today - just post cards and some magnets of Tallinn - I may have to go back because despite the guy's shop lacking any heat or air-conditioning (he doesn't even have a door - it's a shop in a wall really) and he only accepts cash....his stuff is cheap!  Post cards are 35 Euro cents each (some shops were selling them for 70 E.Cents-1�...) and he had some nice magnets for 2�...the hilarious thing about his little shop...he also sold magnets with images of Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey and Barrack Obama them.  No idea why - as I'm pretttttty sure that neither of the above mentioned people (along with other "famous faces" I didn't know of) have been to Estonia.  Anyway!  I seriously considered buying a couple of those- just to give as prank gifts and saying "Oh I got these in Estonia..." I'm sure they say "Made in China" on the back - or something like that in Estonian.

I still didn't get any almonds today - but that's my goal for tomorrow, along with going to the zoo and Open Air museum - because we leave the day after for Paris. 

Day 1.5 of being in Estonia...

Okay, we're renting a flat in Estonia (yay washing machine!) as we're not going back to Finland right after our stay here...nope.  We're going to mosey on over to Paris - hence the need for a washing machine.
And unlike the Sweden trip, we have access to a speedy internet connection - so I'll blog as we're going around Tallinn, Estonia.  (Then post it when our trip is done..or whenever!)
Our friends were supposed to take a tour with us of Helsinki and Estonia but had to bail out unfortunately - so we figured we'd skip Helsinki ourselves and trek on to Estonia.
 
Estonia recently accepted the Euro as their currency...whew! Thank goodness! Saves us on converting or having to exchange cash.  (It was in effect as of January 1st, 2011).

So Estonia is across the Baltic Sea and it takes 90 minutes by ferry from Helsinki and is relatively cheap (about 20� per person).  There are a variety of different ferries (in terms of length wise) you can take - but we went with "Linda Lines" as it was cheaper and just as convenient as any other.

Once we get off the ferry, there is a lady standing there with Tim's name in bold, black lettering on a piece of paper.  She was very friendly and manages the properties that tourists can rent during their stay in Estonia.  She had a taxi waiting and we drove about 7 minutes to our flat, which scared the crap out of me.
The building on the outside, was lifeless.  It's a stone white building and looks like death.  Inside as we maneuvered the hall ways (which were painted a somewhat cheery green- like the last buckets of paint anyone would ever buy because they're on sale ...that kind of "cheery green"), I got really worried that we were staying in a seedy apartment.  
The property manager who drove us to our flat and showed us around was very friendly and was able to speak great English.  So she gave us some information (but not too much to overbear us) and offered to pick us up (10�) and take us back to the ferry on the date we were moving out.

FYI Hotels are super cheap here as well and very lovely.  They're all within walking distance from the ferry or offer a shuttle service...we just needed the flat for the washing machine and Tim really wanted to "live like an Estonian" and cook food (not like he cooks mind you! :P)...and not feel so much like a tourist by living in a hotel.  Fair enough!
(I continue...)

First of all - it takes a metal key fob (metal circular disc thing) to open the outside building door (to get out you have to push a button)...then you go up to the designated floor and you need a key to get into the door NEAR your flat's door.  There's 2 apartments behind this door.  Then when you close it behind you, you need to lock it again with your key.
THEN you need 2 keys to get into your flat.  Needless to say - I feel quite secure and Tim said it's a good thing we're not here to drink...because there's no way a drunk person could remember which key is which!

So, we enter the flat and it's gorgeous!  We rented a studio flat but it's bigger than most!  A beautiful little kitchen (but with wiggle room!), an up-to-date stove (those glass flat top ones) and a stainless steel oven door...I am in love.  There's a large kitchen window that can be opened on the side and the bathroom...HAS HEATED FLOORS!  Shower only, a basic washing machine, a fan for the bathroom (no window) and then there's the living room/bedroom.  Very spacious and lots of light!  There's lots of house plants around to give the place some color, the living room windows open wide, there's an extra pull-out cot and a desk with a great internet connection.
Talk about a surprise to me!

Last night was the first night and we decided to find the town square and eat out for supper.  We found it alright...lots of outdoor eating space available for various restaurants and all of them offered heat lamps and blankets for your lap while you dine.  (It was getting a bit chilly- although most of the snow IS gone).
We ate at a restaurant that offered a meat platter for 2 and it came with fries.  Great! Somehow the bill came to 50� (and you can tip in Estonia where as Finland you don't)...they charge a pretty penny for a glass of destilled water (no tap and ice cubes here!) approximately 2,70� for a glass of water.  No free refills either.  Pop is about 2,90� and Tim splurged on a tall and fat glass of beer and it was almost 5�. 
All menus are in: Finnish, Estonian, English and Russian.
The only thing I did not like about eating in the Town Square: was that they have the hostess in the front of the outdoor eating area, asking you for your business.  They were polite and handled "No thanks!" very well - but I just like to look and then to make my decision.  Seeing as there were so many options and the weather was fantastic - I just see no reason to try and hustle customers into your restaurant.  Then they really get you by showing you a menu (often what's posted is just the condensed version) and offering you a seat.
Tim said this is common in Montreal!

We snagged some groceries at a nearby corner store - which I was expecting would cost us an arm and a leg...but for a little over 11� we got: a pack of sausages, a huge package of 7 cinnamon/sweet buns, a big box of juice, some potatoes, 3 or 4 cartons of yoghurt and a couple bananas.  Oh and some soap.  Prices here are just so much lower than in Finland!

Today (Easter Sunday) everything was open as per regular hours.  The stores were closed on Good Friday, but Easter was not treated as a "close your stores" holiday.  How weird.
Anyway, it worked for us!  So we went back to the Old Town of Estonia and walked around a lot.  We saw lots of panhandlers but they just sit there quietly with a cup or a hat....not like the ones in Halifax that offer to open the door for you (Spring Garden Road!) or that spit and curse at you if you don't give anything.  Similar to Finland's panhandlers from what we've noticed.
There were so many restaurants and cafes everywhere!  And as well, many souvenior shops too.

The most popular items we noticed in souvenior shop windows were: things made of amber, glass, crystal, woolen sweaters/hats (knit with fabulous and tricky patterns) and some black smith items too.  Also there are many little figurines too.

There's lots of wooden carts that sell sweet almonds - but perhaps I'll try those tomorrow.

The great thing about Estonia - lots of playgrounds (similar to that of Finland), parks to just sit and enjoy the scenery and no dog poop!  In Finland, there's a lot now that the snow is gone!

There's also a "knitting corner" in Tallin filled with yarn shops...I didn't make it there today - but perhaps Tuesday!  Tomorrow we're hoping to make it to the Open Air Museum and to the Tallin Zoo!

What we did do today, would probably make most people terribly ill.  We climbed up the St. Olaf Church Tower.  Not with ropes or free-style...but up a kajillion stone stairs (I didn't count but my thighs say at least 300)!  Most stairs were of different heights, and in a spiral stair case fashion...but � way - there's some benches for you to take a breather.
Did I mention this is a narrow stairwell and it's 2-way?!  Holy difficult when there's people to pass!
So when you get to the top (you do this all at your own risk and the tickets are 2� per person) you can go for a walk outside....at almost 123.7m high.  The stairs alone, take you up 60m.
(My thighs are killing me the day after)

Last night we went to a huge shopping district and popped into Prisma (it's in Finland too) and we picked up some small groceries and a couple shirts for V�in� as I forgot (how I don't know) to pack them.  The food is still cheap in the big grocery store and their alcohol section (usually nothing more than a small percentage of alcohol - aka nothing more than a cider or beer) was huge.  It was the size of a regular liquor store in NS.  Freaky.
Turns out this Prisma was around the corner (about a 15-minutes walk) from the flat we're renting from.

Oh and in terms of language - Finns can get around Estonia easily enough.  Many speak Finnish and a lot speak English.  The Estonian language and Finnish language are part of the same group - so many words are quite similar.

Trust

Finland is a very trusting country.  I've said before that people give their bank account number regularly (i.e.: you owe your friend 42.50� and don't have exact change) because that's how people transfer funds here.
No cheques in Finland!  That's so over 20 years ago.

Now that the old post has been brought up - here's a few more examples that I have experienced - on trust.

• I met a lady from the internet who was selling a baby back pack carrier that we need for our up-coming trip to Estonia, Paris and Canada (airlines are awful with strollers!)...She wanted 15� - I had a 20� bill because that's what the machine spits out....she said "I don't have change and have to get going...Do you have your cell phone?  Take down my account number and send me the money."  
• I leave V�in� outside our friend's homes when visiting (if he's still asleep) in his stroller and we just keep an ear out for when he cries.  LOTS of people put their kids outside (or on a balcony) to sleep - especially in cooler weather....I do this downtown too if I'm knitting or in a small shop with too narrow of an entrance to bring a stroller.
• My card was declined at the grocery store and thankfully I was with a friend (her dog is my dogs' mutual girlfriend) - she paid for me and I paid her back by the end of the day.
• I ordered something from a Finnish bead site called HelmiQ (in English or Finnish), which I've never done before and I had the option of paying 2,95� extra to receive the bill in the mail...or they sent me their company's banking info and I transfer the funds that way.  I opted for paying online and saving myself 2,95� - I ordered it April 12th and received my package this morning.  It takes 2-3 business days for the money to get to them electronically...but once again trust.
• Finns with vehicles have blue "parking" passes that they put on their dash boards and it has a "P" on it and a clock with adjustable time arms.  When you park somewhere that doesn't require a parking fee (they have meters where you pay then get a ticket stub to display on your dash board), but does have a time limit - you put the pass visibly on the dash board and put the time you parked.  I thought it was odd and it's "too easy to cheat the system" - and I asked my friend if someone could just go back to their car and change the clock forward....she confirmed that yes - lots of people do it.  If you're caught - you're stuck with a hefty ticket.
• V�in�'s Canadian passport came a couple days before departure to Canada back in October and we still haven't received his Finnish residence permit.  Why? Because we forgot to bring the passport to the police so they can make a copy of the passport and review it...he hasn't been deported yet! (I kid...no really he's sleeping on the couch!)  We received a letter reminding us to bring it to the Police station and that was that.

Now, ask yourself this...."Would you leave your kid outside to sleep (not in a yard but in a downtown area for example) or give your bank account number to a complete stranger, if they didn't have exact funds to pay you in cash?"  (This question is not for Finns - but probably those that are Canadian who read this via my Facebook page).

R-e-s-p-e-c-t

Oh no I'm not busting out some Aretha Franklin....This is something about Finland I had no idea about until very recently.

Whenever you see a Finnish flag up in the air - it's usually a sign of a holiday or celebration.  Now by celebration, I don't mean someone's Sweet 16th birthday, but a day to celebrate a particular artist or poet (etc) in Finland but the stores are not closed.  Holidays are holidays and in my books - defined as a day to stay home and reflect, spend time with family, and in general nothing is open.  The day before the holiday and after it as well, is always a pain in the neck at the grocery store!!

Now what happens if the flag is raised but only half-way?  In Canada, that typically meant Remembrance Day, Battle of the Atlantic - remembering soldiers /Military service (wo)men who have died while in the line of duty.
For awhile, The Chronicle Herald, Halifax's daily newspaper had a small photo near the heading with the Canadian flag raised at half mast whenever a soldier died overseas (particularly in Afghanistan).  Well, on Parliament Hill, that rang true as well - they'd lower the flag and it would be out of respect for the soldier(s) who have lost their lives (many of them are quite young as well) trying to protect others.
For some reason, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, decided it was too depressing and too much of a reminder to Canadians, that yes, we're constantly sending troops overseas and yes, they're dying left-right and center.  It's a shame and highlights the fact that HE is not the one on the receiving end of a death in the family who was proud of their country to serve overseas.  So why bother raising a flag?  The Chronicle Herald (and I'm sure other newspapers) continued to print the flag at half mast when a soldier died - and I am grateful there is some sort of recognition for those that are brave enough to put their life at risk for others to live.
And furthermore, why wouldn't a PM be interested in showing his support & sympathy?
Oh right, because he's the one sending the troops over.

Well, in Finland - the flag is at half mast - not necessarily for soldiers or politicians or "super important people".  A couple weeks ago, I noticed the flag was at half mast and I was worried because I thought perhaps today the grocery store was closed and we of course, needed groceries.  I contacted a friend and she notified me that yes, stores are open regular hours but someone in the area must've passed away recently.
I told my friend well, there are several buildings in the area and we all share this flag pole...so I have no idea who it may have been but wow this was so interesting!
So the deal is, whenever someone passes away, someone in the area (a family member or close friend) goes out and puts the flag up only half way.
Now, that's what "respect" is all about.

**PM Harper is currently being investigated for contempt (aka not supporting Canada among some other nasty things) and his favourite word is "coalition".  He's a Conservative and not many people like him as far as I know.**