Estonia Here We Come!
I had the pleasure of traveling with my host family to Estonia, never heard of this country. Its located South of Finland and West of Russia. It’s a small country but rich in history.
We traveled to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Estonia became independent from the Soviet Union on August 20th, 1991, after being under Soviet occupation for almost 50 years. This date is their Independence Day.
Arriving in Estonia in November, lets just say it was COLD!..but Beautiful. The snow covering the streets and building tops, at night it turns into a winter wonderland.
Estonia is super north, so winters are long and cold, but the snow-covered forests, fields, and even the cities are incredibly picturesque.
My host Brother was studying here as an exchanged student and we travelled to visit his host family where we ate traditional dishes like Herring and Mackerel, I will get back to the food in a minute because if you know me by now, there is one thing you should know, I Am Picky when it comes to food. Yes, I am one of those people.
As we entered the town hall square, it felt like when walking on the wet cobble stone streets that we were entering a Disneyland part of the park. The winter lights twinkling across the old buildings, the people walking around, shopping and you can hear the singing from little choirs on the streets.
As we entered the town hall square, it felt like when walking on the wet cobble stone streets that we were entering a Disneyland part of the park. The winter lights twinkling across the old buildings, the people walking around, shopping and you can hear the singing from little choirs on the streets.
The Old Town looks like something out of a medieval Christmas movie, with its cobblestone streets and snow-dusted rooftops. The people are so friendly and welcoming.
It is so historic and preserved, you can see some modernization, but it is like the people here said, “We Are Not Changing, Let’s Keep It Authentic and Original”.
Ok, do not think I am being silly or weird, but the air was clean, and it felt like when you were breathing from the top of a mountain, it was so refreshing but of course cold.
It is so historic and preserved, you can see some modernization, but it is like the people here said, “We Are Not Changing, Let’s Keep It Authentic and Original”.
Ok, do not think I am being silly or weird, but the air was clean, and it felt like when you were breathing from the top of a mountain, it was so refreshing but of course cold.
After spending the day and evening in the old town square it was time for dinner, and my brothers former host family was so great, they talked a little English and asked me questions about America and why I chose to study abroad. I might have been in a different country but again I was welcomed with open arms.
Ok, let us talk about dinner. In Estonia they eat lots of fish because its located next to the Finnish Gulf and Baltic Sea, so the host family cooked us a traditional dinner of Herring fish, FYI it’s the National Fish of the country, they prepared it two ways for us, one was pickled (I couldn’t do it) but grilled fish was good, lots of vegetables on top with potatoes as a side. I also tried Barley Sausage, which is grains mixed with meat, Salmon soup with Rye Bread.
I don’t eat fish but living in Italy, you must learn because fish is served lots in Italy. Yes, you have pasta and pizza, but Italy is much more than that. So, I had to be open to try new things including foods, if I’m going to immerse myself in the culture then its only right that I try the foods but coming to Estonia trying pickled fish and salmon soup this out of my norm.
I am here to say I tried it, I didn’t like it and I will never eat it again in my life but you have to give me credit for at least trying it.
I loved how friendly and welcoming everyone was and it showed me that no matter where I am in the world, people have big hearts, and they are interested in us as we are interested in them.
I loved how friendly and welcoming everyone was and it showed me that no matter where I am in the world, people have big hearts, and they are interested in us as we are interested in them.
But I will not eat pickled Herring or Salmon soup ever…I promise.
Happy Holidays from Estonia,
Zoe
