Blogs from Saaremaa, Estonia, Europe - page 2

(From my book OUR SUMMER IN ESTONIA, AMAZON.COM) It’s ironic that my second historical interest on Muhu spans those 800 years, with the battle of 1227, representing the beginning of Estonian subjugation, and a deserted Soviet air defense missile site representing the final shaking off of Estonia’s foreign occupation. Muhu was off limits to all but the island’s residents, for the almost fifty years of Soviet Union occupation following WWII. In addition to Soviet paranoia that someone might escape their loving embrace by sea to Sweden, Muhu was a restricted site because of the Soviet military forces stationed there. The military site, which Elysee and I rummaged through, had been a Soviet Air Defense Missile base. The air defenses on Muhu were likely planned to guard the major Soviet submarine base at Paldiski, Estonia, and the ... read more

Mexican food night was an adventure. It was held in a dorm that is on the school grounds so everyone that came had an easy place to get to. Then my friend Pille-Riin and I started with making rice krispy treats (not Mexican food I know, yet it was technically dessert). When we had that set up, then we started making burritos, and lastly nachos with meat. I found (no idea how yet I managed) some cheddar cheese in the stores, tortillas (which the Estonians pronounce like tortillas instead of the double L sounds), tortilla chips, beans, and some minced meat. The nachos were the best seller there. One friend was actually really scared to try the burritos. I told her just to try it, and she eventually did. Liked it too fortunately. Even though the ... read more

I thought I would tell you a bit about Saaremaa. Living here for about three months, and you guys still don't know too much about it. Here are some random things that I notice... still! Half the days (especially here on the island of Saaremaa) are filled with either snow or rain, or extreme clouds that look like either could happen at any moment. Once in a while, if the wind blows just right, you can smell the sea walking back to the flat. The walk to my school is only about 15 minutes or so from the appartment I live in now. If it is a really cloudy day yet no rain, then usually you can hear the seagulls too. In the stores here, I have found some types of salsa, tortillas, beans, tortilla chips, ... read more

To ski. Being an exchange student should have one golden rule. Well a few, yet one above all else: Expect the unexpected. It is not as easy as it appears, and is just as rewarding when you figure out how those two sticks work as well as moving your feet with little boards attached to them. A couple of us exchange students (the one in Estonia) all went to this place that is in southern Estonia to go skiing. The cabin type of house that we stayed in was pretty cozy and very warm, unlike the weather outside. When we first got there (after it took me seven hours to go to Tartu from the island including the ride on the boat which was only about forty-five, and then another hour drive to the town), it ... read more

I will start off with some news that some people may find irrelevant, weird, and out of the blue. I got my visa! Officially, I am allowed to stay in the country until three months past the end of April! It is exciting that I don’t have to deal with that any more. My host sister took me to this place (kind of like the post office) and we waited for our number to be called, took up my passport, and then the lady ran some numbers, did this and that, and in less than a few minutes produced this little envelope. After I signed for it and dated it, she gave me the envelope. Inside it was an ID card, and some little things saying I am allowed to stay in Estonia, here is what ... read more