•   View videos of Feast of Tabernacles two years ago to get a feel of what we will be experiencing
   
• Be sure to call your credit card company in your country and let them know that you will be using your credit card(s) in Estonia. If you don’t do this, it is possible that they could decline your credit card purchases. Please be aware that Estonia has many ATM machines and many places take credit cards.
• We recommend that you use credit cards for all your purchases. It limits the necessary cash requirements, and you will always get the best exchange rates. However, be aware that some credit card companies charge an additional fee for international transactions. Visa and Master Card are accepted most places; American Express can be used at the G O Spa.
• Bring your song book with you
• Bring a small foldable umbrella....you probably will use it one of the days at the Feast! Also a jacket is recommended. Hopefully, mild temperatures will prevail but being on an island in the Baltic Sea could bring cooler air and turbulence.
• When talking to people at the Feast site, they often ask about your family and where you are from. I always find it a good idea to bring some photos, or have them available on your phone or media player. Bring postcards of where you are from -- some that you can give away. People always appreciate and enjoy this.
• Make sure to pack a swim suit as we will be staying in a Spa Hotel on Saaremaa.
• Electrical voltage is 220. All bathrooms have hairdryers.
• If going by bus from Tallinn to Kuressaare, check out the bus schedule for your bus at:
  
  http://www.bussireisid.ee/index.html?MENU=&KEEL=en.
  
  Since the Tallinn – Kuressaare is one of the top busiest routes (lines), you can easily see all the busses going there by clicking in the lower right hand part of the window under Tallinn – Kuressaare. As you see, there are plenty of buses going out to the Island.
• If there are any more questions about music please contact Karen Allwine http://us.mc1124.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=kga117@icehouse.net. We want to make sure that no one feels left out or overlooked.
• OPTIONAL: Watch movie The Singing Revolution. It is about Estonia's gaining Independence from the USSR in 1991. A moving account of a bloodless revolution that took place in Estonia and other USSR republics. Available right away from Netflix (http://www.netflix.com/)

What to do after arriving in Tallinn

Passport Control and Customs

Upon arrival, there should not be any problem going through customs. You simply pick up your bags from the turnstile and walk out of the security area. You will see an area "Things to Declare" or words to that effect. It is doubtful that anyone will be bringing anything in to Estonia except personal possessions, so you will not have anything to declare. Just walk on by this area. In most cases, you will have gone through "Passport Control" in some other EU city before arriving in Estonia, so in this case, you will not go through Passport Control in Estonia. This is a change, since Estonia is now part of the EU.

Changing Money

There are ATM cash money machines in the lobby of the airport. If you have an appropriate card, you can get money there. Be sure to get some small change, since taxi drivers may not have change for large euro notes. By using machines for cash, you always get the official exchange rate.

The “Money Exchange” booths at the airport will overcharge should you need to exchange dollars for Euros. We suggest that you exchange only a small amount of cash for Euros and go to a bank later.

If you are are going by bus: getting to the Bus Station in Tallinn

• After exchanging your money, go to the curb and ask for a taxi to take you to the bus station. That is about a ten minute taxi ride and will cost about $10 (15 Euros). Some taxis will take credit cards.
• We recommend that you have your destination written down and printed out on a paper to show the driver. Many drivers speak only a few words of English, but some do not. And mostly they do not understand my pronunciation of Estonian even though I may know the correct words in their language. The Estonian word for "Buss Station" is Bussijam (Buss-I-yam as in sweet potato). I still recommend for Americans coming for the first time that you have your destination printed out.
• We recommend you purchase your bus ticket with a credit card at the ticket window at the bus station. If you buy the ticket on the bus, you have to pay in cash. The cost of the bus ticket is about $22 (15 Euros.).
• The bus ride to Kuressaare, Saaremaa is about four hours including the 30 minute passage on the ferry. You will get out of the bus after entering into the ferry proper. A brand new ferry is now in operation with a nice lounge and viewing area. BE SURE TO BE BACK ON THE BUS BEFORE THE FERRY REACHES ITS DESTINATION. THE BUS DRIVER WILL LEAVE IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL WITH OR WITHOUT YOU.

After getting to the Bus Station on Saaremaa

• At your destination, don't forget you will need a taxi from the "Bussijam" to the GO Spa. Be prepared to negotiate that with a taxi driver and pay for the ride which will also be around $9 (6 Euros). You will need to pay in Euros.
• There is no need to rent a car. Most every place you want to go is within walking distance or easily and economically accessed by taxi.

If you have flight reservations for Kuressaare from Tallinn, you will leave from the airport at which you arrive.

From Tallinn you will fly Estonian Airlines to Kuressaare. Some airlines partner with Estonian Air and will check your luggage through to Kuressaare. When you check in at your home departure center, you might show them your ticket and request that Kuressaare be the final destination for your luggage. Otherwise, you will need to follow the procedure above (Passport Control and Customs) for going through customs. You will need to pick up your luggage here and recheck for the flight to Kuressaare, Saaremaa. After you arrive in Kuressaare, don't forget you will need a taxi from the airport to the GO Spa. Be prepared to negotiate that with a taxi driver and pay for the ride which will also be around 6 Euros.

Scheduling Massages at the GO Spa

It would be a good idea to schedule your massage before you go. Write directly to Keidi Hoogand who has been arranging the Feast arrangements for us. Her email is keidi.hoogand@gospa.ee. She'll be glad to arrange the times for you. By now we know what our schedule is for services, meals and others activities.

WiFi

In Estonia you can connect via WIFI almost anywhere for free. We have always appreciated this benefit. The entire country has the same Outgoing Mail Server setting which is mail.neti.ee.

Tipping

Tipping has become more customary in Estonia. Eating at a restaurant, 10% is considered a good tip. I always give the taxi driver a tip also if I am carrying luggage which he will help with -- maybe one Euro.

Events of the Feast

• The first service is Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM. We plan to have a musical introduction, a welcome message and a champagne reception following.
• Holy Day Service October 13th will be at 11:00 AM with a group buffet dinner between 1:30 and 3:30 PM.
• Services most days will be at 10:30 AM with a group buffet dinner to follow. Check the schedule daily.
• On Tuesday, October 18th, there will be a four hour bus tour of the Island.  Cost is 20 euros per person. It's well worth it to get a feeling of the area outside the town of Kuressaare.  Services this day at 10:00 am. 
• On the Last Great Day, October 20th there will be two services at 10:30 and 1:30 with a buffet lunch in between services

Victor Kubik and Johnnie Lambert