Hello fellow Feastgoers to Estonia!

Please carefully read the information in this message before you leave for Estonia. Please don’t hesitate to call me at 317 216-0802 if you have any questions. 

In a little over a week we will be seeing each other and keeping the Feast of Tabernacles together in Estonia. For some this is a return to happy memories from our past Feasts.  For others it will be a special experience to keep the Feast with our brethren in the Baltic Republics and with fellow countrymen.

First, I’d like to thank those who are doing so much to help us enjoy the upcoming Feast. First, I’d like to thank John and Hazel Lambert who devoted so much of their time and resources for the Work of God in the Baltic Republics.  We also give special thanks to Toomas Schvak of Tallinn who is helping with the logistics of our travel to the island of Saaremaa, translation of sermons and other duties.  Then we also thank Imbi Kuusksalu of Tartu who is helping with translation of sermons from English to Estonian and helping us with some important Festival details.  Also, thanks to Karen Allwine for organizing all the music for the Feast and Bryant Lambert who is setting up the hall, translation equipment and more.

Here are some important things to consider.

MONEY

How much should you bring in cash?  Traveler’s checks?  What about credit cards? 

First of all, Traveler’s checks can easily be cashed by presenting them along with your passport at any number of banks within easy walking distance of the hotel Pallas where we are staying.  Also, there are abundant cash machines accessible from the street where you cash card will work. 

Regarding credit cards, we strongly advise you to call your credit card provider (the number is on your credit card) to let them know that you will be leaving for Estonia in Eastern Europe and that you will need them to keep your credit card line open. Because of fraud, sometimes some credit card companies freeze accounts that have more than a few charges come from a country such as Estonia.  By calling them, this action will be precluded. 

A reasonable amount of cash can be brought. I would advise about $300 per person.  We will be asking for a cash payment of $150 to Bryant Lambert during the Feast for our Saaremaa excursion.  So, calculate that into the amount you bring. Again, you can acess your cash through a cash machine in Tartu.  There is a transaction fee. It used to be about $4.00 per transaction for using the machines.  You will receive you cash in Estonian Kroons called EEKS.

When you arrive at the airport, it would be a good idea to change some of your home currency into EEKS. That way you will have money for the taxi to the bus station and the bus ticket.  

Today’s rate of exchange is 12.88 EEKS to the dollar. It’s not like the good old days of 2000 when the rate was 18 to a dollar, but it is about ten percent better than a year ago.  The Estonian currency is pegged to the Euro.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN TARTU – PLANE TO BUS TO HOTEL

After you get off the plane, you will go through passport control and then pick up your luggage and go through customs. Then you should change some of your money into Kroons as mentioned. Then go outside the terminal and walk up to a taxi and ask them to take you to the bus station which is about 15 minutes away. 

At the bus station you can easily find where the bus is that goes to Tartu. They leave about once an hour and sometimes on the half hour.  You can purchase your ticket at the ticket window OR on the bus. The ride is about two and a half hours. The buses are comfortable.

When you arrive in Tartu, the hotel Pallas is less than two blocks away.  If your luggage rolls and you can walk, you can easily get there on foot. Otherwise, you can take a taxi for the short distance.

Check our website at www.kubik.org for any other information including the master schedule for the Feast which will be having a number of changes being made to it in the next few days. We will also post all our memos to your about the Feast.

OPENING NIGHT

This will be Monday night, October 17^th at the Atlantis. Time 7:30 PM.  We will have a champagne reception after my opening message where we will get better acquainted.

WEATHER

I’ve checked the next ten day forecast.  The high temperature is about 57 and the low about 37.  Perfect weather for sweaters.  Be prepared for some rain.  The walk from the hotel to the Atlantis is about ten minutes. It would be a good idea to bring an umbrella.  The colors of changing foliage should be at peak.

HYMNALS

Please bring your or a hymnal from your church with you. We will probably need a few extra, so if you come as a family, you may want to bring more than one hymnal.  

TRIP TO THE ISLAND OF SAAREMAA

The hotel on Saaraamea has a swimming pool and sauna.  The Aura near the Pallas has an olympic size pool, saunas, and an indoor water park.  Bring bathing suits.

For the overnight trip, luggage can be left at the Pallas.  Bring a small overnight bag for a change of clothes.  Since we will be touring later in the day, dress for services on  Thursday can be casual.

Please keep watching your e-mail for any further updates. We are anxiously waiting to all be together.