All posts by Carl (Your Sherpa)

Tear In The Pack, Story From Chops – “A Magical Conversation…”

This story was told to me by Chops, a living legend at Tallinn Backpackers Hostel.  The story is about a girl he knows;

“A friend of mine was traveling through Thailand and went to the the Full Moon party on Koh Pha Ngan.  She had a mushroom shake and started talking with this guy (mushroom’s of a “Magical” nature).  She said they were having a really interesting conversation and he wasn’t hitting on her when her friends grabbed her and pulled her away.  She resisted at first but then went off with them.  The next day her friends told her she spent four hours sitting down next to a tree talking to it.”

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Part One – Tallinn. “Beer To The Rescue”

Two parts to this one; Tallinn the city and Tallinn Backpackers the hostel.

Many years ago Tallinn was invaded by the Dutch, and because of a non existent army, the people of Tallinn had to get creative with their tactics.  When the Dutch came ashore the people of Tallinn greeted them with open arms and lots of beer.  The Dutch were so touched by this gesture they said “we’ll wait to rape, pillage and kill you until tomorrow”!  Then got drunk.  While in a drunken stupor, Tallinn attacked and defeated the Dutch army.

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Today Tallinn appears to be using a similar tactic, but this time using the beer to get your wallet.  The old town is absolutely stunning and surrounded by a medieval wall.  It’s easy to get lost for the day and enjoy their restaurants and historic architecture .  However, be warned; Their beer enticing tactics on the weekends turn the cobblestone streets into a playground for stag parties (bachelor parties), and drunk foreigners looking to save money and hit on the absolutely beautiful Estonian women.  The women however, appear to flee in order to avoid this beer hunting tourist invasion.

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Outside of drinking and eating, there is a good walking tour with a theatrical attractive blond and a few worth while museums (Maritime museum that resembles Dr. Evils layer and a KGB museum on the top floor of a hotel that was once used by the KGB to spy on the foreign hotel guests).

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Although, waking up in time for any of these attractions could be a challenge… (See part two).

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Part Two – “A House Of Legends”

Tallinn Backpackers Hostel is a model example of what backpacking is all about and one of my favorite hostels to date. I’m confident that anyone who stays there would hold a similar sentiment; as long as you don’t break their rules…

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Rule 1. Facebook isn’t allowed after 7:30pm, if you are caught, you will be doing a penalty shot laying on your back. Not that bad?  While the shot varies depending on what’s in the fridge, the one I witnessed was; Fish oil, Tabasco sauces and a dash of vodka.  Their goal is to make you throw up.

Rule 2. You cannot use or spell the word “Mine” at anytime. The penalty is ten push ups with a clap at the end.

*Following rules are in effect only after your first beer is opened and carry a one sip penalty.

Rule 3. Earthquake! Beer must always be one finger length away from the edge of the table.

Rule 4. No pointing. You can use your elbow, fist, but no finger.

Rule 5. Consume with the clock. Whatever side of the clock the minute hand is on, is the hand you must drink with.

Rule 6. You cannot say; Drink, Drank, Drinking, Drunk or any variation of the word.

These rules are strictly enforced after your first beer and few escape its intoxicating grip.  (Disclaimer; The first rule, is their only “rule”. The others are part of the “Game of Life”)

Enough good things can’t be said about the staff.  The Hostel itself is fantastic but it’s those who live, work and play there that are the fuel that energize it.  So grab a beer, break a rule, and see if you can play in the backpacking major leagues.

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Oh, and one more thing, “I’m getting drunk with the same drink I drank with my wrong drinking hand” (See picture below).  Face.

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Reader Email

Bro,

Just checking in. See you haven’t posted anything in 5 days. My guess is one of 2 things have happened. 1.) you met a local Bulgarian girl who you slept with but her father caught you in the act and he is now making you stay and run the family farm and do right by his daughter. or 2.) Some Russian model seduced you and sold you to one of those Hostel like torture places.

Definitely hope its option 1.

Hit me back

________

Dear loyal reader,

Thanks for your questions.  1.) Yes I did meet a Bulgarian girl. Unfortunately she met me too. Apparently telling someone you love them and crying when you first meet them is no longer acceptable.  2.) I wasn’t tortured, but the bathtub of ice I woke up in was freezing. Fortunately, the doctor tells me you can live with one kidney.

 
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Tear In The Pack, Story By Scott – “All for the rush..”

“I arrived to Corfu Greece by boat in the middle of the afternoon and looking for a rush decided to jump off the boat rather then walk off.  I gave my bags and my camera to two Alaskans I had been chatting with, then… jumped.  I hit the water so hard I split my toe and the police detained me as soon as I swam ashore.  When one asked why I jumped and I told him for the rush, he responded, ‘What?! You want a rush, you fuck a woman!’”

Look closely…

Scott-Greece

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Rainy Riga, Latvia

Unfortunately weather doesn’t always go your way.  This time of year Riga’s weather is volatile and quick.  It’s cold, it’s hot, it’s rainy, it’s sunny;  is not an unusual five minute span of weather.  This resulted in a little less exploring than typical, but enough to realize why Riga came so highly recommend.

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Riga’s location on the Baltic sea, has made it an important strategic economic and naval location which resulted in several different occupying countries throughout the centuries.  Unfortunately, during the World Wars this strength resulted in the loss of about every historic building while Allies and Axis battled for it’s control.

When the Estonian people freed themselves from the Soviet Union, proclaiming model tactic in peaceful protest, they not only spared themselves from Soviet oppression but also from horrific soviet architecture.  What you see today is largely reconstructions of what Estonia looked liked prior to the Wars.  Not original, but still beautiful.

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Like any former soviet power you can also find interesting soviet memorabilia in the Black Market behind four large hangers that were used by Germany to build zeppelins during WWI.

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Why does “Friendly Fun Franks Hostel” fill up?  The night.  Riga is renowned for its night life and Frank’s knows how to do it right;  Have a 24 hour bar in the hostel, own another bar just outside, have daily pub crawls and include daily activities for history geeks to adrenaline junkies.

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If you do find your self lucky enough to find a date during a wild night out, you’ll be happy to know the hot date spot (Well, in the early 90′s after breaking from the Soviet Union) is Riga’s first McDonald’s, welcoming celebrities and politicians alike.  So, kiss your date good morning, put on last nights clothes and treat them to a romantic Big Mac.

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