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<\/a><\/p>\nOops. Without access to a computer I haven’t had the opportunity to post much on here.<\/p>\n
It’s been 13 days since the trip began and I have seen Helsinki (Finland), Tallinn (Estonia), Ghent, Bruges, Oostende, and Brussels (all Belgium), and now Paris (France).<\/p>\n
I should be flying back this afternoon, but those whacky French unions are up to their old tricks and what I thought was to be a strike only on the rail system has, in fact, turned into a massive strike of solidarity among all unions (including those for air-traffic controllers). All this because they think retiring at 62 years old is simply obscene (versus 60 years old currently).<\/p>\n
So, American Airlines has canceled my flight and re-booked me on a flight the next day. I know, I know….another day in Paris, how horrible for me. But after two weeks of travel, I must admit I was really looking forward to being in my own bed, in my own home.<\/p>\n
I’m not sure what’s on the agenda for today…but it appears the weather will continue to hold out and be sunny once again (I have been quite lucky).<\/p>\n
So I will write more about the trip when I get home. But to summarize:<\/p>\n
Helsinki – rather boring all around. Limited historic architecture, abundant modern architecture that isn’t as spectacular as they believe it to be, pricey. Has a good modern art museum, though, and is very clean.<\/p>\n
Tallinn – gorgeous. An amazingly walkable medieval town with friendly people, beautiful old buildings, tasty food, and good prices. Come here before they start using the euro currency and prices go up! Also has a great modern art museum.<\/p>\n
Ghent – another beautiful place, but this time a city, with spectacular stone buildings and wide canals.<\/p>\n
Bruges – a smaller\/older version of Ghent, but with brick buildings instead of stone. The canals are narrower and the buildings smaller, but that still doesn’t make this a very intimate place. It is over-run with tourists to the point of over-exposure.<\/p>\n
Oostende – think Atlantic City, New Jersey, on the North Sea. There’s a casino and some shopping…plus an expansive beach…but that’s about it. On the plus side, it’s 15 minutes to Bruges by train.<\/p>\n
Brussels – admittedly, I was only here for a few hours and spent it busily tracking down a SNCF office to collect my train ticket, but from what I could tell it’s a pretty major city with much more diversity than any other city so far on my trip. There seemed to be a hodge-pudge of architectural styles, for better or for worse. From what I’ve heard, it’s more business-oriented than tourism-oriented. Some day, I still want to see the Atomium, but i don’t think I will visit Brussels for anything more than a layover\/connection point.<\/p>\n
Paris – been there, done that. But seeing as this is my sixth visit in 5 years, obviously I enjoy it here. More, though, I enjoy visiting my friend, Mark.<\/p>\n
And now i get to visit him for one extra day. Pull out the playing cards!<\/p>\n