Mr. Piano World (I like that).... for not doing anything, someone sure is a good housekeeper.. your house is so neat.

Would you like to borrow several kids for a while?

Thanks Apple, but the advantage of living alone is that I can keep the place relatively neat. I have considered spraying Endust on Kirby though, considering he's like a four legged dust mop.

Kathy thinks I'm OCD and ADHD, which explains why I seem to always be straigtening things up but never seem to finish :-)

so that's NO on the kids?

As much as I appreciate the offer I'm going to have to pass :-)

but the shoes and jackets... you'd get to pick them up and scrape off the mud. oh well. i love my kids.. i'd miss them if they were gone.

My middle daughter had the habit of leaving her socks wherever she decided to take them off. My wife cured that by putting them in her purse!

Getting a bit OT here . .. but . . . I wonder if that would work with my wife's shoes.

Nah, There are too many to fit into her purse.

It's wonderful that you enjoyed our little country. Did you go to the tower of St.Karl's? An excellent view of Tallinn opens from there.

Fun fact:The windows that says "Noodid" is the only store in Estonia that specializes in music scores, to my knowledge.

Thanks Jame334, we were quite mesmerized with Tallinn, particularly loved the old town.

Thanks to the generosity of our hosts we were able to take in a couple of wonderful concerts, one was in a huge old church in the old town section. I believe it is used primarily for concerts and events now.
Loved the acoustics.
Hope to get back to hear the organ there sometime. There was an organ concert series coming up but we weren't going to be there for it.

I even got interviewed by the local tv station. They were actually interviewing the musicians (from Russia) who had just put on the concert, but Indrek (Laul) mentioned who I was and why I was there, so they interviewed me for a few minutes, fun.

Of course the fact that I was there to choose my piano made it that much more exciting.

We will let you know when we return so we can meet.

Best,

Frank B.

Congratulations!!

I wish you many years of enjoyment with your lovely Estonia.

regards,

Hakki

Congratulations on your piano. A great story.

Congratulations Frank--I love Estonia pianos. I almost bought one myself a few years ago!

Great thread, read it all... and belated congratulations! (I don't get here often enough!)
One minor question, I'm speculating that your music room might be just a bit "lively" as I see many reflecting surfaces... a larger carpet and a few wall hangings might do wonders.
Another comment: your (old and orphan?) digital piano appears to have large speakers - good to see that. Audio has been a hobby horse of mine for years and I play a digital... but, of course, wooden grand pianos are the best if you have the resources (space, cash and good techs on call)... or the skill and diy.
Cheers,
Roger

Congratulations! I love the story, the photos, and the new piano! May you make beautiful music on your new Estonia.

Bea

The Piano World Newsletter alerted me to this great story, and I am really glad it did. What a wonderful piano--Frank, you definitely deserve this great instrument!

Nancy

Hey Frank, congratulations not only for getting a nice piano, but also for having such a pleasant experience buying it. Travelling to the factory and meeting the people who make the instrument is always interesting.

I just came across this thread and I'm glad I did. I went to all those places in May 2008, including the factory tour, the Catherine Palace, etc. That was a wonderful trip! It's good to be reminded and see the pictures of the factory, etc.

Enjoy the Estonia. I've had mine for 4 years and love it.

NB: I will offer slight correction. This was Catherine I's Palace, the wife of Peter the Great, not Catherine the Great. Catherine I also has the prettiest palace around St. Petersburg bearing her name as well.