Habitants

Who habits the fields behind the ruins of Pirita Convent?

It was just another mid-autumn day, not too warm, not too cold. A little mild foggy rain and perhaps a light cold breeze that would make you shiver if you forgot to zip your coat. And soggy skies, that would rob the colors of the nature around you. Average in every way. You could say most people prefer to sit in front of their television set or make due with homework, rather than go out on a walk.

But we had far more on our agenda than a walk. We decided to go out for a swim at the far end of our hike between the colourless autumn forest. And wearing a scarf will sort you out, you'll feel warm and you start to enjoy the soggy weather and sights that you haven't seen.

To be honest, I've never been on this side of Pirita Convent. Well, I've been on this side actually, but much further away. But this time we passed right behind it, just across the river.

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Pirita Convent - the world famous ruins are used these days to hold events and concerts - used to be a world class pilgrim destination, until it was destroyed by the russian forces of Ivan IV, who ransacked the convent and neighbouring village and burned the place down. Most estonians know the story from the movie "The Last Relic" (Viimne Reliikvia, 1969) but the movie is based on the book by Eduard Bornhöhe "Furst Gabriel or Last Days of the Pirita Monastery". I know the current generation is not in sync with their books, but the movie is a must watch for fans of cinema with a medieval setting.

_{"Axe me a question, I dare you!" - image credits to imdb.com}

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But wait.... back to the current day, this is not a history lesson, although having a look at the ruins from this angle makes the mind wander in the old days. But our mind is ripped from old and romantic adventures when we find our path blocked by none other than these beautiful creatures.

A cow in the middle of the city! Well, back alley of the city, but don't you want to tip him over? Is it even possible? The creatures are fenced off with electric wiring, which might or might not work, but the cold is sneaking in standing here and feels like my pants are about to drop down due to my sloppily fixed belt so I wouldn't want to get electrocuted on top of all this. The cows are safe.

The magnificent creatures pose for us for a few more shots until they decide the grass is tastier further away from us.

_{"Don't have a cow, man!"}

I don't know about the others, but such a small event like meeting these cows had already made my day and swimming in the cold water was an added bonus. We had to hike around 15 minutes to reach the spot - I had been here a few years ago, so I vaguely remembered this place. It was bleak, the sand was dirty, and the water looked unconfortably cold. No-one in their right mind would jump in unless you were intentionally looking for new experiences.

Here's my mate a few minutes before the crowd on the other shore grabbed their cameras and started recording, as we were swimming around the river like dolphins.

_{What crowd? No seriously, there was a tourist group further away and an older couple, who filmed us the time, even when we changed our clothes back. Here's my relic, record this!}

Swim we did, and for those of you wandering why we do this - this gets you a cheap and healthy high and makes your body burn. I've basically lost half my beer belly with cold showers and swimming in cold water with almost no exercise.

But you know, after a swin in cold water, your mind starts to wander on good food and a warm cozy couch, so this is where we cut the post.... I'm hungry even writing about this. And perhaps I'll try to write more about this in the future.