The view from the window reminds me of my children’s favourite story book Anneli and Onneli. I see in the garden the apple tree bursting of ripe apples next to a wooden, red-coloured, time tinted shed. I see a swing slowly swaying in the wind. Did the time just shift to the last century? We have been staying in this beautiful last century old oak manor for a week now and have come customed to its squeaky wooden floors, holes in the ceiling and lovely feel of warmth. The kids have each their own bed and corner, my eldest even her own room. As often in holidays, we live with the nature and light are shut in the evening with the sun sets.
The manor is managed by a bohemian lady with five grown-up kids. My husband came up the first evening rather inspired by her life-story: she is travelling the world with her kids, introducing the vegan kitchen to restaurants while home-schooling her kids. I am not sure it is as glamorous life as it first sounds though - I found her in most days sitting in the garden with a big glass of wine and rather sad look in her face. I think she has suffered in her life.
I witness the same melancholic look at times in the faces of older people when travelling in the trolley buses in the city of Tallinn. Faces with life stories. To me, this also part of the charm of Estonia.The multilayerness of its people and culture. There are currently living perhaps five generations of people together, with one generation who has lived during Russian empire, Estonian first independence, German fascism, Soviet occupation and the second Independence..all this in one persons life time! I cannot begin to understand how tremendous amounts of adaptability these courageous human beings have been faced with. I look at them with great comprehension and respect. It gives perspective - help to see our own struggles shrink.
Our holiday continued visiting the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. If time seemed to slow down in Pärnu, it stopped in Saaremaa. The beauty of the island, it’s nature, humorous and discreet locals, the presence of the sea charmed us all. We attended a wood carving workshop at the Angla windmills run by a warm-hearted arts teacher, listened to the tales of a retired geology about the meteorite hit at Kaali. Kids were fascinated by all these new people and experiences, us too. My eldest made a business plan of a bed&brekfast with yoga ateliers, animals and vegan food, we all loved it😀
Thank you inspiring brave little Estonia for offering the best of you ❤️ See you soon!
