Comments on: Estonia: Two Days, Two Perspectives

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:37:15 +0000

Greetings from Tapa! Kevin will be missed terribly. It was so nice to see him riding his bike through town and giving a cheerful good morning.

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:49:13 +0000

@Lia: Tere! Such a small world that you’ve been in touch with Kevin – he is a fantastic guy and has done so much for his school. Tapa will never be the same without him 🙂

I’m glad our stories help make the idea of living abroad (in Estonia or elsewhere) more real and very possible. The hardest thing is making the decision to leave to live or travel overseas. Once you’re determined, things somehow fall into place. Good luck with your decision and please be in touch if you have other questions about Estonia or anything else.

By: Lia Mendez

Lia Mendez — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:22:27 +0000

Hi, Audrey and Daniel!

I came across this entry after plugging “tapa, estonia” into search google images. Coincidentally enough, I’ve actually been in contact with Kevin Hogan via email regarding a teaching position in Tapa for next fall! I really appreciate your view of life in that part of the world; it’s really helped it all feel more real to me, and allowed me to actually visualize myself there.

Up until about a month ago, I had been living on a small organic farm just north of San Francisco, but I’m now looking forward to more overseas adventures. Your stories and photos truly inspire! Thanks for helping to reaffirm my own dreams of travel and discovery.

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:46:07 +0000

Chip: She is certainly still attached to her abacus. Estonia’s internet infrastructure is pretty remarkable – free wifi in Tallinn (paid for by the city of Tallinn), high-speed internet in remote locations (imagine a connected farmhouse in the middle of nowhere) and ample free wifi opportunities all over the country. Although Tallinn has been spruced up quite a bit from your visit in 1994, it hasn’t lost its charm. Tallinn just has a good feel to it.

By: Chip Ritter

Chip Ritter — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:37:34 +0000

Some of my fondest memories are of Tallinn. I travelled there with my college choir in the summer of ’94 for the international choral festival. I spent the afternoon of my birthday in the town square with friends at an open air pub and was charmed by the town. BTW, is she seriously using an abacus? I thought Estonia got with the technology years before most former soviet states.

By: Audrey Scott

Audrey Scott — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:31:03 +0000

Steven: Kevin was a great host! We were certainly intrigued by $60/month…but don’t know if I could take Estonian winters again!! Sauna certainly helps though : ) It is getting easier to make Estonian shop-keepers and waiters smile these days…

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:26:18 +0000

Michael: Thanks for the links. No shortage of prejudices and stereotypes regarding the 3rd world, the other side of the tracks, etc. My first visit to India 10 years ago started to turn the lights on for me and helped me to separate what was real from what I thought I understood. Things become especially interesting when you attempt to comprehend intangibles like happiness and satisfaction. We'll leave that for another post.
Arvo PÃ¤rt, yes. Pulled him into my classical music rotation when I first visited Estonia. I found it a perfect accompaniment for those winter days when the sun rose at 9AM and set at 3PM.
Michele: Thank you for the kind comment.
When people ask us what sets each place apart: the people. When they ask us what makes places similar: the people. When all is said and all is done, it's about the people. Our most lasting images and memories (of life and our travels) will almost always have people attached to them.
We are glad to hear that the common thread of humanity and humanness shows through our work.

By: Michele

Michele — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 23:48:06 +0000

Audrey and Daniel,
I am hooked to your site…having just returned from a short trip (my very first) to Asia i am still having all sorts of pictures in my mind…but especially of the people. Through your photos, videos and writings you really manage to present to us, the onlooker, the humanness that is a common thread throughout the world, no matter where you go. Thank you and keep on trekking! you’ve got a fan here in san Francisco.
(Daniel, thank you for you kind comment on my blog!)

By: Steven Greimann

Steven Greimann — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:22:27 +0000

So nice to see Kevin! Yes indeed…$60/month is enticing. Maybe we’ll move north… I think you almost caught the shop keeper smiling.

By: Michael O'Boyle

Michael O'Boyle — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:56:19 +0000

Regarding poverty and stereotypes, Prof. Hans Rosling has a surprising entertaining and TED presentation on the myths vs. realities of the “developing” world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUwS1uAdUcI

Regarding Estonia in general, if you aren’t already familiar with his work, check out Estonia native composer Arvo PÃ¤rt.

http://www.last.fm/music/Arvo+P%C3%A4rt

I’ve had him on heavy rotation while working and I’d highly recommend him to anyone interested in minimalist music.