Estonian Style

So basically, my trip to Estonia was just about the coolest thing ever. What began as a weekend stint to the capital Tallinn, became a spontaneous hitchhike into the Estonian countryside.

I left on Friday morning, and took a ferry across the Gulf of Finland from Helsinki to Tallinn. Infamously dubbed the "Booze Cruise" it was jam-packed with Finns already getting their drink on. Mind you, this is 10am. Anyway, two hours later and I was in Estonia!

Though I've been a member for while, I finally decided to couch surf through this awesome website. Virge, who lives in the center of Tallinn, was my first host! We met up on Friday afternoon and she showed me some cool places in the Old Town and then I explored a bit on my own, meeting some interesting people along the way. I was particularly excited about a group of British guys I met, all in matching shirts and ties. We talked, they bought me drinks, they sang songs, and thinking it was all such a novelty, I was pretty thrilled... Until later that night when Virge and I went out and there were far too many talkative British guys and their singing got kind of annoying.

Nonetheless, it was a fun night. We went to the popular bars, A Pub Without A Name and Shooters, the latter being my favorite of the two. (Nine euros for five shots of Tequila, say what!?) And there I met Greg, the Scottish Bradley Cooper look-a-like. Sadly, I lost track of him at some point in the night. Definitely the biggest regret of the trip.

The next day I explored a bit more, then accepted Virge's invite to the countryside where her family lives. I almost declined, considering going back to Helsinki on Saturday night, but am so so glad I decided not to. It was a fantastic experience! Apparently the train is a slow method of getting there, so we opted to hitch-hike, which I found to be the most hilarious thing in the world. I kept thinking to myself, "what would my mother say?!" But apparently its no-big-deal kind of thing in Estonia. Virge had done it countless times herself and there were several other people on the same road as us trying to catch rides a well. Naturally, we were picked up first.

In the "countryside" (as I insist on calling it), we went to a wood festival- a festival, literally celebrating wood. There were wood carvings, wood goods, and even wood burning. It was all quite authentic and one of Estonia's most popular singers performed. I wasn't fully informed, but as I understood it the festival had something to do with Estonia's pre-religion times and was even held in a historical venue. I think it was some sort of fortress, but again, I'm not sure. I don't seem very educated on things, do I? I suppose I was too busy enjoying the food and good company.

Speaking of good company, Virge's family, who we stayed with that night, was amazing. Her mother was just about the nicest person I've met while living abroad. Though there was a language barrier, we still managed to ask one another questions and she nearly made me cry with all her kindness and hospitality.

That night, we partied in the sauna (sounds strange, I know) and I met a great group of people who made me genuinely very sad to be leaving Estonia. They were so friendly and encouraging as I struggled trying to say the Estonian phrases they taught me (Minu nimi on Heather!) Though I'm basically a pro now and have them to thank for it. But of course, I greatly regretted the late night when we hoped on a train to the city at six in the morning. I tried to sleep on the ride, but was too occupied by the idea of riding a train through the Estonian countryside as the sun came up and painted everything gold. It was such a beautiful moment and I couldn't help but think, I love my new life. Kind of silly and sentimental, but totally what I was thinking. I then hoped back on a ferry and headed home, wishing the weekend wouldn't had gone by so quickly.

Anyway, thats just a rundown of the trip. I loved Estonia and will definitely be giving some more insight soon. In the meantime.. Pictures!













From the city to the country...