Day 20 - Sad Goodbye’s and Heading to the West!

Today was our last morning with Eva and her family. We had our traditional breakfast together in our apartment and talked about when we might see them again, with plans for Christmas 2026. I can’t wait! We took some time in the morning packing our bags but we had to be strategic about this because we have filled up 2 bags with gifts and material and wanted to leave at Denis’s house while we travelled around Eesti a little bit. It made it easier than taking it with us and we are very fortunate to have this little option. We also had to be strategic with what we had with us for the next 3 days before our next bigger stop for craft camp in Viljandi. So we packed everything into the car then headed into the old town for one last time. Dad did share a little story with me, when he first started packing the car, he had a bit of a seniors moment. He got into the car and wondered how I turned the car on with the key then wondered where the steering wheel was. It took him a few moments to realise he was on the wrong side of the car! This made me laugh, only something dad would do. After we packed the car, we wondered through the Freedom Square taking it all in one last time and slowly walked towards the town square. Eva shared with us she wanted to start a new tradition in getting a Christmas orniment for every family holiday they are going on and I knew the perfect place. I took them to the store in the town square that had beautiful items at a good price. She was delighted by the selection and got herself something, mum got the same one so both our trees will have something. Vincent wanted to see what I had bought, a little doll for a very close friend, but when I showed him, he put it straight into his bag, cheeky little thing! We ran into one of mum’s choir friends who wanted to know where we get material from so we directed them to Svetlana’s store just near the Viru Gates. They were very grateful. We continued to walk towards the Viru Gates as mum wanted me to go back to that store to get something for her, but they didn’t have it but on the way we saw these ladies again. I was also very grateful as one of the ladies told the other about my business and was excited to share about it, I was so grateful that other people were excited about Estonian Designs AU and sharing this excitement with me. I was heading to this shop so I took them with me! There were some skirts there and the lady asked how she could wear it so I shared some ideas on how she could wear her own skirt using more modern takes, when singing in the choir, she was very grateful. Once we were done there, I met back up with my family and we headed to Lido for lunch! I had buckwheat for the first time in a while and I really liked it. I might make it at home I think! Vincent and I were connecting really beautifully and playing around a little with his toys and dried kiwi fruits he wanted to eat that he had purchased. It was so sweet that he was becoming more warmed up to me, it was delightful. As we were sitting at the table there was an AI robot that came around to collect your plates and trays, and spoke Eesti keel. This was so cool Vincent was so excited and wanted to show the robot his new Christmas decoration! After lunch, we took them to the stop with their things. Vincent was so excited to get to the airport, but we had to wait a little at the bus stop and he was excited when ever he saw a bus and it was such a let down when ever I would say no to a bus not being the one he needed to get but once his bus was finally coming he was so exited! He got on quickly then went to sit down and the smile on his face was something I wont forget for a long time. It was sad saying good bye to Eva and her family, but we will see them again soon.

​After this, dad and I walked back to our car and started to head out of Tallinn. The drive out of Tallinn was a little scary, especially having to turn onto one of the main roads without traffic lights AND there was a tram! But thankfully we got out safely and headed to dad’s cousins house to do the bag swaps, as they were leaving and wouldn’t be home when we arrived back there to collect our things. Denis met us there and took things to his place, so grateful to have him around. Once we gave him these things we headed off out of town! We had to make a little stop in Hageri for some secret business, watch this space for some special things coming, then headed to Rummu underwater prison. We arrived there and we assumed it would be free or reduced entry into the arena as it was really cold and no way you would swim, however they wanted 20 euro’s for our car to enter, so we decided to turn around and keep heading towards Haapsalu. We arrived at our accommodation and discovered it was 4 flights of stairs, needless to say mum was not happy about it, so she stayed in the car while dad and I took some things upstairs. We then headed back down and into the town for a little wonder and dinner. We found the Käsitöö shop and had a look through. I was surprised, the prices were the same as in Tallinn unfortunately. There were some beautiful things in there though. It was raining so we headed to what I think was the most expensive restaurant in Haapsalu. We were there in 2014 and I remember the pizza being really good and it still was! It was a very eclectic setting with some good memories including what we think was the Russian mafia making deals under the table! After dinner dad and I headed to the supermarket which had folk costume patterns on it, and I loved it!! The new headed home, but via the most strangest way to get home, through back allies, one way streets and driving through car parks. There is always some silly moments in Haapsalu!
Until tomorrow
Marissa xx