Greetings, friends and family. Yes, it’s me again. I am traveling to far away places once more! It feels like a long, long time has passed since I was last overseas. But on reflection, I realize it’s only been six months. Spring tours ended with my return home from Ireland in June. A busy summer, heel/ankle surgery and New Mexico’s beautiful autumn have come and gone since then And here I am, passport and backpack in hand once more. The winter’s destinations: Estonia and Spain.

I’ve begun to think of international flights— specifically the long one across the Atlantic — as “The Big Jump”. Much like a venture into space, you have to suit up both mentally and physically for it. Much of it is also spent in an odd, otherworldly state which might be something akin to suspended animation (but conscious). I have to plan carefully regarding what in my carryon luggage can go above, in the overhead bins, and what needs to be with me at my seat. Headphones to block out those travelers watching videos with the sound on? Check. Comfortable clothes to endure a range of temperatures from 80 degrees (those moments between boarding a plane and liftoff, when there seems to be no air circulating) to 30 degrees (approximate temperature experienced while standing on the tarmac at Frankfurt Airport, having taken a shuttle out to the airplane in order to wait as about 70 people slowly walk up the stairs and board the plane)? Check. Multiple entertainment options with you because you can’t sleep sitting up? Check. Water bottle empty for security screening but at the ready for filling on the way to the gate? Check. Once on the plane, it’s suspended animation for the next 24 hours or so.

Santa Fe to Denver? Easy peasy. It’s just 50 minutes from take off to landing, with views of well known towns, mountain ranges and lansdcape formations to be watched from above. Barely time to get out that knitting project before you find you’ve landed.

But then the big one: Denver to Frankfurt.

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself on a semi-full Lufthansa flight. Within nanoseconds of the “Boarding completed.” announcement, I’d identified an empty row of seats and dropped my carryon to claim it as mine. I sat down with a sigh. Two whole seats to myself for an overnight flight? Heaven! Usually I watch movie after movie to pass the time. But as I was able to turn sideways, put my feet up and have light without disturbing any neighbors, I chose an alternate activity. My headphones set to classical selections, I spent the next several hours merrily knitting to Mozart, Bach and Bruckner.

It wasn’t long before I became aware of why no one had chosen to sit in my row. Adjacent to the stairs down to the bathrooms, my spot was bathed in the glare of bright lights.

Whoops.

Great for knitting. Not so great for later, when trying to sleep.

After seeing me pull a hat down over my eyes, then a scarf over my entire head, a kind stewardess offered me a sleeping mask — about two hours before we landed. Sigh. Well, I did get some good knitting in. At some point during the flight, I wondered whether folks on their way to the bathrooms noticed that lady in the last row, knitting with a goofy smile on her face. It’s because I have two whole seats to myself on an international flight!!! People, this is luxury! That big smile lasted through hour six. Then I attempted sleep. Then I resigned myself to knitting, tried to read and finally, finally gave in to watching a movie. By the time I got to Frankfurt Airport, I was in need of a good stretch and some lunch. Lucky me! I happened upon some Chunky Monkey ice cream.

The flight from Frankfurt to Tallinn was only about three hours. It was packed to the gills though, so I did my part by checking my rolling carryon and tried to take up as little room as possible. Not everyone was so polite. How do people not hear the announcement about two pieces of carryon on luggage? Or the part about storing smaller items under your seat? It took longer to get everyone on and settled for that three hour flight as it had to load up for the big cross-Atlantic jump.

BUT! Once we landed in Tallinn, I was restored from suspended animation! Suddenly I could breathe fresh air again! There was only me in the taxi to my hotel! I was greeted with a glass of hot, spiced wine, shown to my room and alerted as to the location of breakfast! Oh the joy of seeing one’s bed after hours in the halls (and hulls) of transportation! Welcome to Hotel Schlössle.

I wandered to the old city’s central square to find food. Here’s what I saw.

And as this post is getting long, here are some photos from my morning out wandering in the old part of the city today. (After a 12 hour long festival of sleep and fantastic, restorative breakfast at our hotel.)

And last but certainly not least…

Observations regarding Estonia, further adventures and a journey into the region’s handcrafting traditions are all ahead. But so far, I’d say The Big Jump was well worth it. I’m looking forward to learning about this place, then sharing with you.

A deep night sky and bright buildings in the oldest part of Tallinn.