estonia again

I remember April last year… We had just arrived to Estonia and were discovering the Rebala Heritage Reserve where we were going to volunteer for 8 months. There had been quite a bit of luck in finding this project, though it was our favourite. After so many discoveries last year, we decided, by choice this time, to come back to Estonia.

” But are you crazy ?… Estonia ? Again !? ” This is usually the first reaction when we announce to people about our coming back. But then, yes, we might be a little crazy but we like challenges and Estonia even more.

This time, we won’t be volunteering, but we hope to work as guides for french, spanish and english- speaking tourist during the summer season. Most of them come from the hudge cruise ships which anchor in Tallinn’s harbour. The demand in guides is then pretty important, however, the proportion of ships carrying french and spanish visitors is not big enough to have us work on a regular basis. The challenge will be to patch different bits and pieces to pay for all our expenses this summer. It’s true that life in Estonia doesn’t cost as much as in the rest of Europe (yet) but the wages are still very low.

One should not think therefore that we have come to Estonia to make a fortune, as french pioneers in a new El Dorado. No, no, we came back because we said we would and if not now… When? We have real good friends out here (and they have all been so sweet helping us and welcoming us back) and we felt like we still needed to be with them. It’s a real pleasure for us, to be able to see this wish of coming back come true.
lena and Aude
The picture is of Lena, an ex volunteer like us, from Ukraine and Audé, from France, who was volunteer last year and was in Tallinn for a few days.