Day 9 - 20 Years Later

The day started off like any normal day, woke up after the party and just had a bit of a relaxed morning. Everyone was asleep but I wanted to do something, since I don’t drink and did not have a hang over, so I thought to myself, who lives in Tartu. I then remembered Katri and Karin. I loved with my dad’s cousin Toomas and his partner Karin in 2005 in Tartu, 20 years ago. Karin’s daughter Katri lived upstairs and we spent some time together. I contacted Katri and discovered she was free so we made some plans to meet. Of course I had to bring mum and dad along with me to see them. I got them sorted and we went into town. We parked at Kaubumaja, and headed to a lovely café for breakfast. When I was 11, we saw the construction of Kaubumaja, a shopping centre, and when we walked past, it was a big hole in the ground. I remember they were using small tools to dig the dirt and dad told us they were that poor, they were the only tools they could afford. Danae and I believed them at the time, but we later discovered they were really taking part in an archaeological dig. We then headed to the café where we had a lovely breakfast and some amazing coffee. I love coffee and I was so grateful to have some that tasted so good. We had some wonderful conversations, including the possibility of me coming here to work in the University! Now wouldn’t that be incredible!

​After some wonderful conversations we headed into the town, as it was Tartu Päev or Tartu Day. There were so many activities on this day in the centre of Tartu, including a travelling piano! We wondered up the main street that is just for pedestrians, there are so many shops, and there was a market on this day. There were so many beautiful things to buy but taking it home was going to be a challenge. When we got to the town square, or Raekoja Plats, we saw a massive stage set up, ready for concerts for Tartu Day. I remember when this place is covered in snow and ice in the winter, it is so beautiful with the snow and I must have walked through this area, I do not know how many times, but it was bringing back so many memories. We wondered all the way up to our favourite Käsitöö shop but found it was closed on a Sunday, so there went plans to make some purchases. We then started to walk back towards the town square and visited one of our favourite little gift shops. I remember being here many years ago and so happy it is still thriving. I just love all the Estonian items in this store, so abundant and feels so good just being in there, especially with all the Estonian folk costume patterns. I would love to have our products in this store one day! A little side project I am now working on. After this little adventure we continued onto other stores and it just brought back so many memories of when I was living here, I just love all the Estonian things. During our little wonder through the town, Karin gave us a few gifts, the first was some chocolate made by one of my dad’s cousin’s PhD candidates and the other was a fridge magnet. The photo on the magnet was of her daughter taken in 1977. Back then money was not overly valuable and Karin was telling us to get the original painting it cost 5 bags of coffee because the artist’s wife really liked coffee. This is incredible that it cost coffee and not money but it makes sense given the time period. Katri was kind enough to take a photo with her original photo, it looks like a fairy forest. We then headed back to Kaubumaja and headed to the book store. I really like this book store with so many Estonian books, but traditional ones. There was one there with recipes on how to make pirukad. I thought this was really cool, where else would you see this?! We then said good bye to Karin and Katri and headed back home.

Now, I didn’t want to just sit there all afternoon doing nothing and was reflecting on the conversation I had with the girl in the store. I decided to go back and take a business card with me to give to her, and for her boss. Dad came with me and he wanted to try an Estonian kebab! So we walked to the other end of the town and he got one. I had a little taste, it was pretty good! It was more like what we would call a burrito rather than a kebab with the Lebanese bread. On the way back to the car, in the town square, there was a concert playing with some beautiful music. It was lovely to see this, and people enjoying it. It must have been one of the first afternoons of sun. This is a beautiful part of Estonian culture, where in the summer there is always something on! When we got back to the car, I asked dad if he wanted to go to the Rahva museum, just to see the gift store, he said, lets do it. So we did. Dad was mesmerised by the structure of it, especially at the front, where it is massive and has to hold itself. He took a little bit of time inspecting the design of the building, that was, once we could find the car park! That took us on a little adventure itself! Once we were inside we went to the gift shop and saw so many beautiful things but I wanted to get the prices of the books and other things to compare to when I am in Tallinn. Once we finished here we headed back home.

​We had a little down time but it was getting late. I also floated the idea of spending three days out west, as I originally wanted to do this because our plans changed just before we came. After some discussion we decided to book some accommodation in Haapsalu and Muhu, I am really excited about this little side quest. It was dinner time and I really wanted to take dad to this trout farm we visited last time. We checked that it was open, and it was, so off we went. When we got there it was cold and a little windy but I still really liked it here. What I enjoy about it is that it is in a little valley, surrounded by forests, just magical. The trout is caught and cooked on the spot, so damn fresh and the most beautiful atmosphere. I think dad liked it too, which was the intention. If my uncle ever comes to Estonia, we will take him here too. After dinner, we drove to Elva. Elva is where some of my mum’s fathers family live and I have such fond memories of going to the lake here with my grandmother and getting ice cream. It is so beautiful there and we went there closer to sun set, so it was even more magical. It was nice to just stop and be for a moment, in a place that I had once been with my grandparents. We then headed back home and went to bed. It was a lovely day and I really enjoyed our unexpected adventures.
Until tomorrow
Marissa xx