Day 11 - Creating memories

​Today was a very low key day but we still had a lot of fun. I met up with Andrew and Taimi to get Andrew another bag, because he had just gone nuts and bought so many things in Eesti, I think he is worse than I am!! We then headed down to the nicest supermarket I have seen yet and there were so SOOO many pirukad!! We all went a little nuts and just bought so many pirukas and oh my god they were so delicious. So much yummy filling and pastry and flavour! We were also on the hunt for the A grade Honeycake, and Andrew found it for me! I had to take it!

​After the little detour we headed our to Vaabaduse Valjak (Freedom Square) where they had the most incredible display of music done by children! It really made me reflect on how ingrained singing, dancing and music is in the Estonian culture. I said it before and ill say it again, all the singing, music and dancing makes me so emotional. It is incredibly connecting to Estonia and really makes me feel so at home. It also brings about reflections and thoughts back to the time when they were under Soviet occupation and how restrictive it was and the songs and dances that were performed were almost prescribed. Not to mention they could not wear their Rahvariide or fly their Estonian flags. I can’t even imagine how scary it would have been living in that time, when now you can feel the pride pouring out of everyone who experiences the majik that is created by the singing and dancing. There is just so much pride and with that comes the emotion. I can’t even imagine how the singing will make me feel now, because since I have been here, I have watched the “Singing Revolution” which is a film about how Estonia got its freedom, through song and I strongly encourage anyone is interested in the Estonian culture, to watch this.

​Ok, enough about that… as we were walking and taking some photos near Freedom Square, we ran into Dad’s cousin, Juta and her Grand daughter Meriel. We couldn’t believe it! They spotted us as we were taking a selfie! Well that was our afternoon planned wasn’t it. Of course mum and Juta spoke for hours, we had lunch together and spent some time, even though we will be staying with them in a few days. As we were walking to lunch Meriel was asking me about my favourite food here and I said it has to be Meekook… she told me it was her favourite too!! And that she had never made it, so I told her when I stay with her we might make it, but we have to get up early and do it, because it takes time. Hopefully we do it.

​After a short break, we met up with Lenni and Elvis (from Sõrve) and wondered around some of the streets of Tallinn. We shared with them some stories and information we had learned previously and then met up together in Rakoija Plats. This is where I had the most disappointing ice cream! We went to Rimi to get an ice cream and eat it while we waited for Taimi and Andrew (after they had been to Tantsupidu), and there was literally one option of good Estonian ice cream left in the freezers! It was like someone had come in and taken all the ice cream, much like people had taken all the pirukas the day before! We had our ice cream then Andrew and Taimi came. We hung out for a bit, laughing and talking about camp and other things, then headed off to dinner. We were walking a bit slower so we asked Andrew to go ahead of us and hold tables for us, as pictured. We went to a restaurant mum and Taimi had both heard of. The food was good but I don’t think it matched the price. Taimi and I both had the flounder with herring roe. It was actually pretty good, with some vegetables. Right next to us, on the next building were some fresh strawberries growing and we thought we might have them for desert, but we didn’t. After dinner the kids headed off, after gathering information for inspection at Sõrve and how to avoid getting a strike, even though Andrew had given them a both a pre strike and Lenni has 2 now. I am not entirely sure what for but I did give Andrew strike power so he must be using it wisely!!

​We then went to Nimete Bar, after the kids headed off, for a night cap/party vibe and had some Esto Flag shots. We think it was coffee, blue curaco (I cant spell it) and coffee. It should be simple to make. Mum went up to bed and Taimi and I stayed out. We talked to some nice people but Taimi was hit on by these two older Italian men and the man I was talking to and I somewhat giggled and wondered if we should save her but we thought she was doing ok. The funny thing was when we came back home, they walked past as we were coming back into our building and tried to get her to come out with them! Lucky we didn’t!

It has been another great day in Tallinn, with more memories made and I am just so grateful to be able to do this.
​Marissa xx