Day 16 – Friends, Family and Swedish Connection

​Today started out like most days, writing, blogging, Instagram etc. Mum and dad headed off to meet some family who they had not met before, who live in Finland, but also the same ones from the one day that live in Canada. Mum was sharing of all the photos and stories they had from Finland of the history of some of our family, it was from my mum’s dad’s side, so Alan. I was not there so I didn’t hear the stories but I am sure I will one day! I met with Anne from Baltic Folk and her husband, for a coffee. It was so nice to actually catch up and have a chat! After this we had a sneaky look at the sock shop across the road where they sell all the Estonian designed socks. It feels really lovely going into there because it is all the Estonian folk design patterns but more the flower designs rather than the stripes. Last time I bought way to many socks so I had to stop myself from buying any this time, but I did get some for a few friends. I then called dad to find out where he was, turns out he was on his way to the supermarket, which was on the way home for me, so we ended up making a plan to meet there. We grabbed a few things then I heard from Taimi! We had both been in Eesti for over a week yet not caught up, due to her and the rest of my friends dancing in Tantsupidu. Taimi came over to our apartment for a few hours for a long catch up and a coffee. It was so nice to hear about her stories and experiences from Tantsupidu and the excitement she still had for this. It really is something special, our Australian group dancing in this festival with over 11,000 other dancers.

​It was getting time for dad and I to head to the airport to pick up Eva and her family (my Swedish sister via exchange student when we were in year 11). She lived with us for 11 months. Dad and I got the bus to the airport with a building excitement. We got there slightly early and had to wait a little. There was like no one there then all of a sudden there were so many people coming off the plane! Dad was standing to one side to warn me when they were arriving through the gate so I could get a video of it. After a long time, almost 30mins after the plane had landed, we got the video, and we got to see them! It was so incredible seeing them again after 2 years for me, even longer for dad, I think 6 years. Eva’s kids are just so cute, a little shy but really cute. It was their first adventure outside of Sweden. We got the bus back to Tallinn and Vincent was so fascinated at everything and of course it was all in a new language. The curious mind of a child is just a joy to watch, really something special. We got ourselves to the apartment and called mum down, she was so happy to see Eva and her family. When we were just chilling for a few moments in their apartment, the kids were playing on the bed, just laughing and playing with raisins. They were laughing so much, it was so lovely to see, it was infectious. After some time we headed out to Lido in Solaris for dinner. That is an adventure in itself! It is basically a cafeteria where there are many food options and you choose what you want then pay at the end, at the check out. There is something for everyone. Dad and I split a potato serving, because I just love Estonian potatoes. It was good catching up with them over dinner, even though the kids spoke only Swedish, we were still able to communicate. I was reflecting a little and no matter what country you are from, kids are all the same. We went back home and watched Laulupidu. Mum was meant to sing in the big choir that evening and she was really hesitant about it all day but after some convincing she went! At first she messaged me telling me she thought it was a mistake as it was hard to get to the area, but once she started singing all of that went away. Dad and I were watching the event on TV, couldn’t look away with the final songs that were being played. It was incredible watching 35,000 singers and 100,000 people in the audience. This is something really incredible and very much part of our history and culture. It is all part of the Signing Revolution and how Estonia got its freedom in 1991. Look it up, you won’t be disappointed. Once it was finished dad and I were just sitting up, waiting for mum to come home and we were about to go to bed and she came home, close to midnight. We were happy she was home and she was on such a high from signing, I am so proud of her that she went and did it! I was about to go to bed then got a message from Taimi, telling me a few of them were going out to the pub, in town square, and I made the decision to go. So I got changed and off I went. It was so peaceful while walking there, especially freedom square. It was all lit up and really beautiful. When I got to the pub, there were so many Australians there and Linnus was playing music. It was a bit loud but lovely to connect with people I had not seen for some time. After a few hours I left there but we saw an impromptu performance of Tuljak at the bar outside so Taimi and I started to dance to it, naturally. I had never done the boys part, yet here I was! Doing it! I walked home, taking in the peacefulness of the old town at 3am with the sun due to come up soon. As I was walking home Denis saw me and came to where I was staying, with his car. I did a quick video call with his wife, she showed me their house in Siberia and wanted to come to Tallinn to come see us, who knows what is possible.
Until tomorrow
Marissa xx