Red Corner: Baltic States vs. United States

by Neil Woodburn on

What are the differences between the Baltic States and the United States?

Well, there are quite a few-beginning with the fact that most any Baltic citizen over the age of ten can find America on a map, while most Americans can’t even identify the three Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) much less locate them on a globe (and I’m not talking about you finely educated, American Gadling readers here).

Apparently the differences between the Baltics and the U.S. are numerous enough that Michael Tarm, a former editor of the Baltic City Paper, and a current resident of Chicago, has felt it necessary to boil down just the Top 10 and share them with the world. The list is quite humorous, and not exactly in favor of the United States, but hey, if you can’t laugh at yourself, you can you laugh at?

Now, if you could just point me in the direction of the nearest Latvian embassy. I feel some flames coming on.

Ouch! Just kidding folks!

Red Corner: Hammered in Tallinn

by Neil Woodburn on

Looking for a good time?

The newest hot party spot in Europe, according to the New York Times, is none other than Tallinn.

That’s Tallinn, Estonia for those of you rusty on your old Soviet geography.

Formerly a reluctant republic of the Soviet Union, Estonia is now its own country. This is good news for party-goers across Europe. Due to its convenient location just across the gulf from Finland, Estonia is an easy place for Europeans to sneak away for a weekend of drinking and debauchery. And, since this is Eastern Europe we’re talking about, it is extraordinarily cheap to do so as well.

But Tallinn is far more than a cheap place to drink alcohol. It has become the place to drink alcohol. Countless bars, clubs, and restaurants have sprung up throughout the city catering to boatloads of visiting Finns and planeloads of bachelor parties from England. A travel agency called “Tallinn Pissup” arranges many of these trips; a popular tour book called “A Hedonist’s Guide to Tallinn” tells them where to go.

This certainly sounds like a far different Tallinn than I witnessed in 1992. I’m sure its new status as “party capital” hasn’t affected the beautiful Old Town and wonderful architecture which abounds in this ancient city. I just have a feeling people aren’t noticing it is as much any more.