Last notes from Tallinn and first from SPB, Russia

Tallinn seems so long ago now although we just left there y'day morning and are now in Saint Petersburg (SPB from now on).

• Visited the Russian flea market in Tallinn to get a sense of what we'd be up for come our visit to Russia; bought a tomato for only a few cents; I also stopped in a slew of second hand stores looking for long sleeve shirts while Steven patiently stood guard outside as we walked to Kadriorg Park to see the Japanese Gdns, a palace etc - lots of exercise but not worth it otherwise for us.
• We'd planned a day trip to the city of Haapsalu but changed our plans to go on Hotel Viru's KGB Tour instead on our last day in the city; so glad we did as it was fascinating and intriguing to learn how Maire, our guide, worked in the hotel for 7 years as a "floor keeper" when it was under the Soviet control and thus was able to relay first hand information about living and working with the KGB.
• Everyone thought the hotel only had 22 floors; thus the elevator panel then and now only had floors marked 1 through 22; the KGB were firmly ensconced on the 23rd though which was only accessible through a door that led to a stairway taking you up another flight of stairs.
• Hotel Viru, aka Intourist Hotel Viru, was built for foreign tourists b/c the USSR needed foreign currency; 1800 employees during its heyday under Soviet control for 400 rooms compared to only 200 staff now.
• Microphones were built into the concrete construction everywhere; several doormen at each entrance who all were KGB agents, some even colonels.
• the bread and butter plates had a dbl bottom so antennae could be placed there; only those plates were chosen b/c theoretically no knives or other cutlery would then interfere with the audio!
• Maire said once a man using his room's bathroom yelled to his friend in the bedroom that he needed more t.p.  Of course 2 minutes later, there was a knock on the door and the person said "I understand you need t.p.!"
• There was a massive fire during construction of the hotel but NO reports of that ever on the TV, radio or in the papers as it officially never happened; we saw diplomas showing congrats to the builders for their being no fires during the construction!
• Saw authentic spy cameras with wide angle lens used in the radio room on the 23rd floor, etc.  Not a tour you get to go on every day for sure.
• Got the 8am Lux Express bus from Tallinn to SPB y'day - would use them again in a heartbeat - good price, reserved seats, free tea, coffee, cocoa on board BUT no cafe stops in the 7 hour journey; only stop was the 110 minute stop to get our passports stamped leaving Estonia and then at Russian border where we all got off the bus to have our passports and visas and arrival documents inspected VERY carefully; not an experience that left you with any warm and fuzzy feeling at all about entering Russia!
• Had prearranged (and paid) with Real Russia UK (whom we ordered all our train tickets from) for a taxi to pick us up and take us to our last airbnb apt; it was hideously expensive at 61 English pounds for a 12 minute ride but well worth not the angst of figuring how to get from Point A to Point B in Russian after a long trip.
• Our airbnb apt is pretty scuzzy to put it mildly; Mindy, I keep thinking of you and what your reaction would be seeing this!  I think you'd run for the hills and believe me I thought it too!
• The location is GREAT, just minutes from most of the best sights but the graffiti and the stench is beyond yucky, etc.  See for yourself in the pictures below!
• Took another "free" walking tour (i.e. tips are expected!) today to get a sense of what's where, the history, etc.
• A few salient facts: SPB is also known as Venice of the North, City of 101 Islands, etc; it has 103 canals, over 30 bridges, the Metro is the third deepest in the world (so deep in fact that people read books on the escalator as they "descend in to the depths of hell")
• Another post another day but here are some photos that may be of interest
  
  Tallinn's handicraft mkt - thought of LH friends!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Entrance to our airbnb in SPB below
  
  
  Steven asking WHAT have we got ourselves into?!