Wow, It took a lot to get here. I finally made it to Tartu, as it was getting dark. I was glad to have my generator front hub and light. I kept circling and circling for campgrounds and hotels that weren't where I was looking. Down by the Emajøge River, in the heart of downtown, Tartu was very modern, new buildings, a University, and a popular McDonnalds. In contrast, just five blocks away, were dirt roads, and decrepid houses. One Tartu web site calls this area "Little wooden town", but to me, seeing barefoot snot-nosed kids wandering aimlessly, and run-down buildings, it seemed like a slum.

So it's raining and I had been circling for about an hour, I was cracking, I evenl asked a security guard at a random building, in Spanish, if the building was a Hostel? Duh? Then I suddenly found this place. Hostel Student Village. I really thought it was a mirage. I asked the young man working the desk, in English, if it really was a Hostel. He seemed a bit unsure himself. The place was brand-spanking new. He tells me there is a indoor bike parking room. No one has used it yet and he has a hard time finding the key. Unreal. I don't think anyone had stayed in the room yet. The place was about six stories tall, so I figure they're expecting people. I took a lot of photo's of the interior, 'cuz I hadn't stayed at anything like this in all of Europe.

For a good panorama shot of Tartu . . .