Music festival wraps up

Today(Sunday) was already the last day of this 4 day festival, and our last concert was Curly Strings.   What a fantastic, collaborative atmosphere pervades this festival.  Just about every artist invites another to join them on stage, together the bands trysomething new and wonderful.  Really hard to pick a favorite -- the music ranged from meditative concerts performed in the really old st john's church to wildly, crowd pleasing, toe tapping pieces played in one of the two venues that are surrounded by castle ruins.   Today, during the Curly Strings concert, it began to pour.   The crowd was unfazed and just danced more wildly.   

Another big highlight was meeting with Maarja and Tiina this morning, who shared geneological data with us about the Reisenberg family.  We went for a walk with them to Viljandi's famous water tower, where we climbed to the top, and then it was on to the Viljandi city hall and museum.  The whirlwind tour ended with a visit to the coffeehouse Viljandi on Lossi street.   Viljandi has an amazing history, and strong commitment to traditional arts and cultural education, but is still worried that there are no longer any industries here.  Population of this little city that was founded in 1283, is flat or decreasing. 

 This is our last evening at the guesthouse, and so have decided to BBQ something and enjoy this sweet space, with its nesting swallows and bog plants.  We are also drying out from getting so drenched at today's concert.  

A few other highlights of our guesthouse stay: seeing a stork catch a mouse and then, in order to take the heavy load up to its nest, back up to get a running start for take off.  Very cool.   Also, because the house had no coffee filters, learning to make great "cowboy coffee."  Amazing what you can do with just a pot and good instructions from the internet.

Thats it for now.