Tag Archives: Estonia

That Golden Side of Tallinn

I’m always on the lookout for discount flight tickets to Tallinn, but unfortunately Bucharest and the Estonian capital are not connected through a direct route so the costs are not a bargain.

I had the great privilege of living in Tallinn for more than half a year and it grew very dearly on me. As winter creeps in, I become more melancholic, I think. I started remembering little details that bring me back one year ago. An alley with golden leaves instantly sent me to Kadriorg Park. Decided to share some photos with you.

A bit of that Tallinn autumn still lingers in my mind.


I used to walk by this painted wall and think of how the artist might have come up with the idea. Boring rainy day in Tallinn might lead to playing with pets since human companionship is rather scarce. Estonians are quite loners.


Welcome, November.

Flying back home from Tallinn

I guess Tallinn was really determined not to let me go as he really tried hard to keep me close.
On the day of departure from this beautiful city, it started to snow really heavily. I thought it was just another normal day in the North, but it seems that Tallinn brought the big guns to the game as he kept my plane to Frankfurt grounded for one hour and a half. The result? I missed my connection in Germany so I had to sleep at a hotel and continue my journey the next morning.
Well played!

The new friends I made on board of the aircraft as we were waiting to take off were the only good thing about this tiring experience. Two little kids, Estonians aged 4 and 2 as I can guess, were in the seats in front of me. Obviously bored of waiting, they wanted very much to, well, play :). I got into the childish mood as my teddy was the attraction of the little ones. With the help of the fluffy bear and the few sentences of Estonian I knew, the kids adored me pretty soon.

When their mother decided they have bothered me enough, she gave them colored pencils and tried to keep them busy and still for a few moments. I thought they would want to sleep after. My surprise was that the elder of the kids, Uku, as he presented himself, tossed a drawing in my face when his mother was not looking. He drew a plane, a nice one even, so I had to say: Tubli!*

His mother explained he had done it as a gift for me.
Sweetest gesture ever. Aren’t kids simply adorable once you decide to go into their world? ♥

*Estonian for Well done, Bravo = Tubli!

See you soon, Tallinn!

I’m leaving Tallinn today. Who knows for how long.

Many good-byes and see yous were said between the people I have come to meet here in Erasmus time. Emotional. Touchy. However, it seems that the hardest one is yet to come. How can I part with this city I knew nothing about, had no expectations about, but which grew on me so dearly during the last 6 months?

Took some lonely walks. I was uselessly trying to keep a mental image of everything. It won’t work. Pictures? They’re good. They might help but if you don’t have a special bond with the sights, you might not feel with the same intensity the connection of warm nestling in one dear, dear place, no matter how icy and cold it might be.

Said good bye to the swans by the frozen sea shore the other day, such sweet creatures. Still friendly despite the cold. Oh, Tallinn, how i will miss you! The butterflies in my stomach are beginning to sing a chaotically broken song. How I hate this almost bitter-salty taste of growing sadness that petrifies your speech and thoughts. I must go, now.

Stay impressive, lovable and joyful, wild but dignifying as I know you. Keep on growing on other people coming into your life. After all, this is your job. Ah, it hurts to know I was only one of your many and that you will go on. But that is life.

Well, I should be going home now, dear. Whatever that might still mean.
See you! See you soon!

My dear Tallinn,

It’s been almost three months since we’ve known each other, darling, and well… I have something to confess.

You remember that thing we wanted to call our only just-beginning relationship?
That “in between” any kind of official relationship, that “I have no idea what is going on” bond we decided to call we ourselves being happy together?
And that “never could be just friends again” complicated situation we got ourselves into later on? Well, it’s not working anymore. I just wanted a calm, enjoyable, six-month lovely experience with you, but it seems that what I feared most came true.

I have fallen for you, my dear. It is true. Resisting it and not calling it by its proper name was a worthless effort to keep distance. All the cold hearted words (or weather) could not keep me away from your magical embrace.

I dread the day I will be leaving you. Because you are so stubborn and will not visit me, I am afraid our magic only works out here. It will still survive, our love. For some time. It will always be special. It will always be ours. I believe in it.

All these frames of beauty… they seemed nice but lifeless from the comfortable distance of my home country, Romania. They are now a mere glimpse of precious moments I shared with you. Sunsets on the beach, autumn walks, parks, leaves blowing in the wind, golden skies, always picture perfect clouds, happy thoughts arise.
A piece of my heart now belongs to you, dearest. Do keep it safe.
Ma armastan sind, Tallinn.

Yours faithfully for ever and ever,
Lori

Tallinn from Amid Moradganjeh on Vimeo.

First snow in Tallinn

If a couple of days ago I was still admiring the golden autumn leaves in Kadrioru Park, nature gave me a real cold wake up call this morning.
Snow.
For the first time in minu kalis* Tallinn, I realise that winter comes sooner here and it will be stronger than anywhere else I have experienced it.

Good times await. Keep warm, stay joyful! 😀

*Estonian for my darling, my dear

I’m young

And I love it. I am currently living in Tallinn, Estonia and I am making the best of my time here. One semester in the Baltic Film and Media School and Institute of Communication in Tallinn University is really spicing my school days up. Getting to know Estonia, Estonians, learning Spanish in the flat and maybe a bit of Russian when going out couldn’t be more welcomed in my life.

Youthful company, new friends, multiculturalism, it doesn’t just sound amazing, it actually is that.

Even though it’s just a rainy Friday out here, helping Lili pack for her Stockholm weekend getaway, sharing some strong green tea with Miguel, small chit chats in Spanish with Cristian and subtle irony in the kitchen with Zaida, Czech flatmate who really knows how to bake, can really light up one’s day. Who needs sun, when you’ve got bright friends? 😀

I am blessed. Although my thoughts keep flying to my beloved sister, my family or some friends, I keep my spirits high with great company and golden autumn walks.

Autumn walk in Kadrioru park with amazing Tartu friends

49 more inspirational quotes to fit your day, here.

Does it look familiar?

I just bumped into this short film and I thought it would be a good idea to share it. I am sure that many of you can resonate with this Romanian short film about the troubles your family goes through until they finally get the hang of using new applications or social media tools.
Talking to your family from abroad? Priceless. I would change the messenger with SKYPE and there you go! Situation updated to the Erasmus autumn semester of 2012/2013 in Estonia.

Now, enjoy!

I have to call my parents and tell them that I love them.