Day 14 – Calm Before the Storm

​Today was a very low key day again, because soon we start the “tour” around Eesti where we see lots of family, attend craft camps and do a whole range of things. I thought it was a great opportunity to just be, take it easy and have some rest, because I am not sure when I will be ale to do this again, in the coming weeks. I went for a little walk around Viru Keskus to get some more socks, some for me and some for others. It was lovely walking around Viru Keskus, near the park where there are really pretty gardens and some information boards on various people from Estonia who have contributed in some way. I really like how they honoured these people with the information boards so people can read about their contributions and how they have influenced Estonian history. When I got to the sock place, I had to take some photos to send to Jana, and ask a few close friends some rather personal questions regarding their shoe size. I did giggle at imagining being asked my shoe size, without any context. While I was doing this, mum had to get a tooth pulled out. We found out it is half the price here than what it is in Australia… insane. We did venture down to the material lady shop again and had one last look at some material. She was incredible, because we couldn’t find what we wanted she said she could get some made for us by the time we go back there in August. I thought this was really lovely and hopefully we can, it was a really nice pattern we saw at Tantsupidu.

​While I was in Viru Keskus, I took a moment to look at the fashion in Kaubumaja. I remember when I was hereat 16 years old, the fashion was very different to what I saw at home, but these days it is very similar. I do remember thinking it is a little more bold here than at home. Then in the super market, there was so much ready made food! And Gravlax, oh my, I love it when mum makes it and it is just so available here!! I also had to capture the moment of all the soups! When I was here at 16 years old, I lived off the different types of soups. There were so many and really really good quality. I remember, I think 2014, I made Shaun and I carry 1 jar of Frikadelle soup around Europe and back home, it isn’t like anything else in regards to quality, in terms of what you can get in Australia.

​After a little bit of rest, we went to meet Eliisa ja Piret. They are relatives from my mothers dad’s side. When we met them, they gave us the most beautiful Rukkililled (Cornflowers), which are the Estonian National Flower. They were absolutely beautiful, and brought me a moment of joy. I can’t even begin to explain how everything all fits in but what I can share is they had some really old photos of my great grandmother Rosalie. It was incredible to see these old photos, as well other members of the family. It was incredible to listen to the stories Eliisa and Piret had, which were very different to the stories we had and we were told. This to me was amazing how the different versions of the stories we were all told change the way we think about our family history. They had learned information through letters and some conversations and we had learned it from my Grandfather. Once we started putting the information together, the picture of how our family came to be started to make sense and it was incredible to hear it all in broken English and Estonian, putting it all together. How it all came to be was Eliisa reached out to mum a while ago and wasn’t even sure if she was even going to get a response. This started a whole chain of events where we met them and had this amazing conversation and saw some incredible old photos, which we didn’t even know existed. I am so grateful to have had this conversation and learn about a new part of my family history.
Marissa xx