TO ALL MY ESTONIAN READERS

29 November 2001

A lot of people check their stats religiously. I used to do that. I was curious to know if people were reading this journal. Now I know some people are. More than some journals, not nearly as much as others, but enough to have a solid following, for which I am very grateful.

But I was reading Weetabix today (read her; she's very funny) when she mentioned how people had found her through Google queries and I decided to just look at my stats again. Unfortunately, I don't have as interesting search engine queries as Weetabix's "predisposition to wetness"  or Marn's "pictures of big turds."  My queries are pretty mundane. Things like "funny" or "world" or "sykes" or hits containing words in the titles of some of the links I use ("coffee+bean+goddess" seems to be big on hits). I will admit that I wonder about the person who found me while looking for "likehttpwwwasancomuserstrixiebindexhtm" Sounds like one of those monkeys they have sitting in a room at a computer trying to type out the works of Shakespeare.

But the thing that did surprise me was the number of hits I've had from other countries. There have been hits from 51 different countries (or domains). Not surprisingly, the top five are all US domains. Also not surprisingly, #6 is Australia (thank you, Peggy). Canada comes in as #7 (thank you, Marn) followed by the UK. But the amazing thing was the 113 hits from Estonia. Estonia??? OK--'fess up. Who out there in Estonia is reading Funny the World?

Since I'm obviously a big favorite of Estonians, I felt it incumbent on me to do some research on the country. I was saddened to learn that there was a fire in the Estonian Embassy in Washington, DC in July. As a favorite journaler of Estonians, I feel like a cold uncaring person that I was not even aware of the tragic fire which required moving the embassy to a new location.

I decided to check out the Estonian Tourist Board web site and discovered a wealth of information on the country. (like that it's located along the Baltic Sea, just below Finland, for instance.) I hardly knew where to start in checking out the various cities. Should I look at Laanermaa, Parnumaa, Saaremaa or Hiiumaa (I think keyboards in Estonia stick). These cities comprise the "romantic west coast," where you can take curing mud baths. Boy, nothing makes me feel more romantic than rolling around in mud.

Bet you didn't know that Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia, or that it is known as a "mysterious medieval capital," with "narrow, winding streets, cobbled pavement, and towering ramparts." Hey--I'm there, Baby! Of course even a mysterious medieval capital feels the need to advertise "well stocked shops." I'll bet you can find some fun refrigerator magnets in Tallinn.

I checked out some of the yearly events, in order to plan my vacation for maximum enjoyment. In June there are two weeks of medieval glass art in Palamuse. Or should I am for the Four Kings of Estonians, an open air performance based on the legend of Paide (I guess now I'll have to find out who--or what--Paide is). I could aim for "from Sun to Sun, an international improvisation contest for the shortest summer night." But then I might have to give up the Haapsalu Old Music Festival, and I certainly wouldn't want to do that. But I could combine that with the International Shanty Music Festival (which actually sounds kind of fun). And I certainly wouldn't want to miss the Baltic-Nordic Harmonica Festival or Raimond Valgre Culture Week.

Estonia offers all the usual activities and sports. But what I loved about the Tourist Board site was how they wax poetic about each of the activities. Just take this Ode to Golf: Golf, which had its origin in 15th century Scotland, has now become a much-loved choice as an active pastime or sport in Estonia. Golf is not just sport, but a life-style. The only 18-hole golf-course in the Baltic states is located in Niitvälja. This is a place for friends to meet, relax, discuss things and hold competitions. Summers at Niitvälja are rich with different tournaments and visitors. It is only a half hour's drive from Tallinn to Niitvälja and you do not have to worry about your skills. Thegolf centre offers training and equipment. The golf course, designed in Florida style, guarantees high quality play even on the hottest summer's day.

If I'm ever going to learn to play golf, I think I definitely want to go to Niitvaija, where I don't have to worry about my skills. I need someone who's not going to giggle when I attempt to address the ball.

Naturally I checked out the food situation. Imagine my delight in discovering that traditional Estonian fare is "pork, potatoes, thick cream, and solid rye breads." I think I've found my people. Of course they say that in Tallinn there are also a variety of international restaurants including Italian, Chinese and Tex Mex. Tex Mex in Estonia. The mind boggles.

Yes, in deference to my many Estonian readers, I think I definitely owe the country a look-see. I'll head on over to my nearest currency converting office and load up on some Kroons. How can I possibly resist a currency which is abbreviated "EEK."