Small squads of tourists heading to the palace in Kadriorg Park near Tallinn, each with a different photo to take. It is a mini-Versailles according to the locals. The former cottage of Peter the Great nearby houses a museum. The KUMU Art Gallery was the European Museum of the Year in 2008. The President's pink house is there for all to see cyclists, sunbathers, walkers, people chatting on benches, duck watchers, beautiful blonds dressed in black without a hair out of place (even in the breeze sitting at cafes drinking lattes). There are trams dropping off tourists who ask if this the right place. I sit quietly and write while looking at the lawns, trees, pathways, shade and, bright, bright sunlight illuminating the other half of my bench while I overhear people asking, “Is he writing about us?”
“No,” I think to myself as I gaze at fountains playing that same endless game, gardens reflecting in ponds, and parents pushing strollers. I think, I am writing about Kadriorg Park.
Julian has written articles on Middle Eastern and European architecture for the US magazine Skipping Stones. He has written travel articles that were published in The Toronto Globe and Mail, Fate Magazine, National Catholic Register, and Northwest Travel. Julian has also written articles for the In The Know Traveler, Go Nomad, InTravelmag, and Go World Travel websites. He has also taken many photographs that have appeared in travel guides by National Geographic, Thomas Cook and The Rough Guides. Examples of his work can be found at http://www.photographersdirect.com/sellers/details.asp?portfolio=13734