About 10-11 years ago (oh. I'm old) my interesting-but-poverty-inducing job back in Home Ground started to pay a little more. Enough to fund my move into an apartment with running water.
I know - wow!
Location-wise the place was pretty much next to hellhole, around the corner from the end of all hopes. A huge and stunningly gloomy region of endless apartment blocks, grey, dirty and criminogenious. It doesn't look that bad on the picture, that's what good camera work and fortunate light conditions can do.
The apartment block itself was a genius work of Soviet architect suffering from severe depression and deep hate of fellow humans. Huge. Coulourless. Square. Grey. The front door couldn't be locked thus the stairs were constantly stinking of urine, garbage, cigarettes, alcohol and whatnot. Especially whatnot.
There was a lift of course. Usually broken. Anybody who has lugged shopping bags to 7th floor on regular basis will NOT tolerate any fitness-related lectures. Proven fact.
Walls between apartments were made of sturdy corrugated cardboard or at least from something just as soundproof. You'd know most of the intimate details about neighbours 4 floors below.
I thought I had died and moved into paradise.
Before you decide that I am a sick masochistic freak let me assure you that once you had jumped over piles of faeces and cigarette butts, snook past any more or less violent discussions on stairs and caught your breath after climbing 7 floors; the apartment itself wasn't that bad at all. It was quite roomy and clean with no heart-tearing attempts at creative interior decoration.
And let me once again stress the running water the apartment featured.
But my favorite part didn't have much to do with interior or exterior of the building. It was all about the position of the place which was fortunate indeed. Because they had built that blunder of a monsterhouse on the very edge of the huge apartment-block area. On top of the hill. Facing the sea...
So on nights I actually got home before dark I would stand at the sitting room window having a fag and watching the sun setting into my beloved Tallinn Bay.
It was different every night. From smoky shaded highlights to cold pastel bursts to warm mysterious glow to vicious bleeding skies. You name it.
They don't make sunsets like that any more. Especially in Ireland.
Sigh.
Friday 19 October 2007
How sun SHOULD set
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8 comments:
WOW! That is beautiful.is that Talinn Bay in Estonia?
I can see how that view would make the rest of it more bearable! It's gorgeous.
This post reminded me of the tenement flats I used to live in when I was a student in Glasgow. You could have been describing the same place! You may have inspired me to blog about it soon...
PS - you want to take yourself off around the north coast. We haven't got much to boast about up here, but the sunsets are spectacular. :)
Is it just me? - yes, that is Tallinn Bay. Gorgeous, isn't it?
Hails - I am waiting in anticipation for your post about the tenement flats.
I have to confess I've really never been up North. Should harass The Ultimate on that subject a little.
Tallin Bay is quite the view.....The apartment reminded me of the old holmestead....running water conssted of tipping the bucket over one's head....and an outdorr John.. which prompted many minutes of indecision in the winter time...can I hold it or not?
Aw sweetie, it's gorgeous. I can see how you must be homesick (for the beautiful view, that is, not for the cigarette butts and poo) x
They don't make sunsets like that anymore? Really? Dang. I was hoping to get one for this weekend. Oh well.
Its all relative I guess, personally I'd kill for a lousy Irish sunset.
feck it, I'd kill for toast.
What good topic
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