EVS in Estonia

This blog has been, since last year, a fabulous way, not only for us to tell about our adventures in Estonia, but also to create situations that only internet can make happened : a couple of months ago, we had received a message from some french scouts searching for a place to help a local community or parish, so we immediatly thought of Margus the pastor and his plans for building a place for seminars. There is enough work there until 2015 and four young people wanting to help is always welcomed ! We forgot about it and then one day Margus told us about the arrival of these scouts. They did some work for the church, but our friends from Jõelähtme are so welcoming and took them around to different concerts and places they had to see.

On the day we were supposed to go and help them, we found ourselves in just a few minutes, all 6 of us, all french people, on the island of Rammu, not knowing exactly how this happened. Being on an island with a bunch of scouts is really a pleasure : wood is picked in no time, doors which don’t open, open ! , and water is fetched from the weel (the latest being unquestionably their favourite chore).

Though we enjoyed some walks around our 3km long island and admired splendid views from old rusted soviet watch-towers, we wanted to do something usefull as well for the family which was letting us use their small summer house (and sauna !) by reinforcing the pier. It was in construction still and the main structure made with logs needed to be filled with granit boulders. We therefore carried more than a ton of rocks and consolidated the pontoon for the next who will come enjoy the island of Rammu…

Living far from your home country is usually having to get used being far from one’s family and friends. We must say that we have been quite priviledged on that part, for last year we have had up to 6 people from both our families come over as well as a couple of friends who made the trip all over to these northern lands.

This year, we were honoured to receive my uncle and cousin from France who have been faithfull readers of this blog and very good guests. It was a real pleasure to take them around and we must say we ate so very well during their stay. We had rented a car to show them around some of the more isolated places and for more comfort. We felt as kings enjoying a spa in Haapsalu, like Indiana Jones (some would say Tarzan) in the tree adventure park in Otepää, and finally like naturalists, strudying the plants and wetland lanscapes of North Estonia.

In just a few days, they made us feel at home, with nice conversations and laughs over card games late in the evening, but strangely we were like estonian hosts, proud to show our favourite spots.