Ei saa meiegi teisiti/Easter holiday in the country

April 1, 2018 / Eveliis / 2 Comments

Kui ma olin laps, siis oli munade värvimine ja munapühade traditsioon üks aasta oodatuimaid pühasid. Mida aeg edasi, seda vähem olulisemaks see püha mu jaoks muutus. Kuni ma kolisin Norrasse, kus munapühad on paljude jaoks suuremad ja tähtsamad pühad kui jõulud. Munapühad Norras on midagi erilist. Me pidime ka sel aastal munapühadeks Norra minema, aga erinevatel põhjustel jäime me koju. Ja need pühad on olnud erilised. Nii nagu peab. Hea toidu, hea veini, hea seltskonna ja munade värvmisega.

When I was a child Easter was one of my favorite holidays. I loved the paint-the-eggs-tradition. The older I grew the less the holiday meant to me. Until I moved to Norway and experienced Norwegian påske. We were supposed to celebrate Easter in Norway this year as well but for different reasons, my illness being the biggest reason, we had to stay at home. I was sad. Norwegian Easter is special. But our Easter in Ussipesa (our home) has turned out pretty special as well. One to remember. Family together. Special. Cozy. And fun.

Kas me polegi inimesed?// Not humans who are worth more?

March 18, 2018March 18, 2018 / Eveliis / 7 Comments

Istusime eile külas ja mulle jäi laua peal silma ajalehe esilehe pealkiri “Kuus magamistuba 85m2 ruudu peal – omanik teenib õnnetute Somaalia naiste pealt”. Lugu siis järgmine, et korteriomanik on oma korteris kolmest toast teinud kuus tuba, iga tuba 5-6m2, ja üürib neid välja 8000nok (ca 800eur) kuus. Naised rahulolematud, sest see on ebainimlik, kas neil ei ole rohkem õigusi, kas nad ei ole inimesed ja rohkem väärt? “Aga NAV (Töötukassa) ei maksa rohkem kui 8000NOK ja selle raha eest ma paremat ei saanud, mul oli isegi pagulaskeskuses parem elu,” räägib üks naistest. Tööle ta minna ei saa, sest “tal on kehv tervis”.

Aktivistid räägivad kaasa, et see on ebainimlik, ei tohiks olla seaduslik ja on heaoluriigis nõrgemate ära kasutamine ja nende pealt teenimine. Ma olen nõus, et kindlasti on palju ebaausust ja kindlasti on neid, kellel ongi vaja abi ja kes ei saagi tööl käia, aga millegi pärast ma kahtlen, et kõik need inimesed nii hädised ja haige on. Mina ajab natuke kurjaks selline vingumine ja ausalt öeldes mulle ei tundu, et ära kasutatakse õnnetuid Somaalia naisi, vaid naiivseid norrakaid (ükskõik, mis muust rahvusest inimesi, kes pagulasi aidata soovivad). Kuidas saab olla, et inimene, kes peaks tulema paduvaesusest või sõjakoldest ei ole rahul sellega, mille ta tasuta saab?

Vaatasin siis hommikul ka Finn.no-s ringi ja mõtlesin, et kui ikka rahul ei ole ja see on ära kasutamine, siis äkki ajalehes halamise asemel otsiks endale muu elukoha. Päisepilt on üürile antavast KORTERIST – hind 6700NOK/kuus. Teine pilt on korterist üüritavast toast – 12m2, ühiskasutuses elutuba ja köök, hind 4800NOK/kuus. Poole suurem ja poole odavam. Milles siis probleem? Kas keegi käsib seal kohutavates tingimustes elada?

Ja kui tööl niikuinii ei saa käia ja tervis ka kehv, siis koli Oslost kaugemale. Põhjapoole. Seal saab 8000NOK eest maja üürida. Ilus loodus ja elamistingimused inimlikud. IMHO. Aga see vist ka ei sobi. Sest seal ehk on poodi liiga kauge tee või ei peatu buss täpselt maja ees.

Oh, seda õudset õpitud abitust! Ja ma olen absoluutselt selle poolt, et abivajajaid tuleb aidata, kuid siin selliseid lugusid lugedes muutun ma natuke pahaseks küll ja mõtlen, et kala asemel tuleks ikka õng anda inimestele.

We were visiting a friend yesterday and the headline of the newspaper lying on the table caught my eye: “85m2 divided into 6 bedrooms – the owner making money off poor Somali women”. The story went as follows: the landlord has made the 3 bedrooms in their flat into 6, each of them 5-6 m2 and rents them out individually for 8000NOK (approx €800) per month. The women are not happy because it’s inhumane conditions and are wondering if they don’t have any more rights, or if they are not humans who are worth more. “But NAV (Jobcentre) doesn’t pay more than 8000NOK and I couldn’t get anything better for that money, my life was better at the asylum centre,” one of the women speaks out. She can’t get a job because of her poor health.

Activists have all spoken out and agreed that it’s inhumane and that it shouldn’t be legal and that it’s taking advantage of the weakest members of the welfare state and making money off them. I agree that there’s probably plenty of inequality and there are definitely those who can’t work and need help, but for some reason I have doubts whether all of those people are so sick and poorly that they can’t go to work. Complains like that make me a bit angry and in all honestly, I don’t think those poor Somali women are the ones being taken advantage of; instead, it’s the naive Norwegians (or any other nations who wish to help the poor asylum seekers) who are being used. How can a person who is coming from extreme poverty or from a war zone not be happy with what’s been offered to them for free?

I had a look around Finn.no this morning and thought to myself that if those women aren’t happy with their situation and feel used, then maybe instead of complaining to the newspaper they could find another place to stay. The picture in the header is of a FLAT that’s for rent for 6700NOK per month. The other photo is from a room (12m2) rented out in a flat with a shared living room and kitchen, the rent is 4800NOK per month. Twice the size and half the price. Where’s the problem? Is anyone making them live in those appalling conditions?

And if you can’t work anyway and have bad health, then you could move further away from Oslo. Towards north. You could rent a whole house for 8000NOK there. Beautiful scenery and humane living conditions. IMHO. But this isn’t quite right I guess. The shop might be too far away or the bus doesn’t stop right outside the house.

Oh, this acquired helplessness is a terrible thing! And I completely agree that people in need should be helped but when I read stories like that I do get a bit angry and think that instead of a fish people should be given a fishing rod.

Väsinud punapõskne laps/“Look, I can ride (insert the name of a skiing technique)!”

March 15, 2018March 18, 2018 / Eveliis / 7 Comments

Aasta emana oli mul meelest läinud, et täna oli lasteaias “uteaktivitetsdag”, mis tähendas seda, et lapsed olid terve päeva väljas. Suusad või pepukas pidi kaasas olema. Pepukas on meil iga päev kaasas, sest koju sõites on ju kogu tee allamäge, aga suusad jäid küll maha. Samas…võib olla oligi nii parem, sest need suusad, mis ~~me Idale ostsime~~ jõuluvana tõi, oleks siin lasteaias olnud nii titekad, et… No parem oli pepukaga varustatud olla. “Vaata, ma oskan (sisesta siia suusatehnika nimi) sõita!” hüüdis Pernille kui ma Idale lasteaeda järele läksin ja ta minust mööda tuhises oma suuskadel. Nelja ja poole aastased on siin samavõrdsed muude maade sportlastega. Pole siis ime, et neil medaleid muudkui kukub talispordialadel.

Ja kui ma ütlen, et lapsed olid päev otsa väljas, siis ma mõtlen sõna otseses mõttes päev otsa. Sõid lõunaks lõkkel tehtud vorste ja popcorni ja lõbutsesid lumes. Lund on siin rohkem kui küll. Tuleb aina juurdegi. Ilma naljata maju ei ole enam võimalik hangede vahelt nähagi.

Lasteaiast sain ma kätte punapõskse ja väsinud lapse. Jalad olid ka natuke märjad teisel, nii et ta tunnistas ise, et tal on natuke külm. Nüüd saate ju aru, miks korralikud riided ja oskus last riietada on siin äärmiselt oluline. Märgade jalgade vastu vist päriselt ei saagi, sest kuigi jalas on korralikud saapad ja villased sokid, siis lumi kipub ikka natuke pükste vahelt saapa sisse minema ja nii need varbad märjaks saavadki. Aga mitte nii hullult, et peaks muretsema. Ja neil on lõbus, nii paganama lõbus. Vaadake ise:

Nüüd tuleb Ida vaid veel suusatama õpetada. Ma olen küll saanud ta peaaegu tasakaalu hoidma ja terve kilomeetri on ta kenasti suuskadel läbi käinud, aga mäest alla suusatamist ma ei oska hästi õpetada. Mind ennast lükati otsemaid mustale rajale ja mul ei jäänud muud kui alla tulla. Samas ma olin ka 17-aastane, mitte nelja poolene.

Being the mother of the year that I am, I had of course forgot that it was “uteaktivitetsdag” in the kindergarten. This meant that the kids spent the whole day out. They needed to have their skis or snow pads with them. We take the latter with us always anyway, because all the whole way home is downhill. Perhaps this was better anyway as the skis that we got Santa Claus brought for Ida would have been too amateur in this kindergarten. “Look, I can ride (insert the name of a skiing technique!” Pernille yelled out as I was collecting Ida from kindergarten and she swooshed past me on her skis. Kids who are four and a half years old can ski as well as athletes from some other countries. No wonder the medals just keep coming in winter sports.

And when I say that the kids were outside all day, then I mean literally all day. They had sausages and popcorn cooked on fire for their lunch and had fun in the snow. There’s more than enough snow here. And it keeps snowing. No joke, you can’t even make out the houses between the heaps of snow!

I received a red-cheeked and tired child from the kindergarten. Her feet were a bit wet, so she even admitted to feeling slightly cold. Now you realise why proper winter clothes and the knowledge how to dress your kid are so important. There’s not much you can do to protect your kid from getting wet feet because although they might be wearing good boots and woollen socks, some snow still tends to sneak in from the trousers and into the boots and that’s how you end up with wet toes. But it’s not so bad to warrant worrying about it. And the kids were having fun, so much god damn fun! Have a look yourself:

All there’s left to do now is to teach Ida to ski. Although I have almost managed to get her to keep her balance and even ski for a kilometre, it’s the downhill skiing that I’m not quite sure how to teach. I myself was dragged up to a black slope and I had no other option but to come down it. Then again, I was 17 years old and not four and a half.

Reklaam. Puhas reklaam. Sest lihtsalt hea kraam.

March 10, 2018August 21, 2025 / Eveliis / 25 Comments

Ma olen oma sinasõprusest Turblissiga varem ka rääkinud, aga eile kui ma endale jälle turbamaski tegin ja reaalselt tundsin, kuidas see mu kortsud (kasvõi ajutiselt) pingule tõmbas, mõtlesin, et ma pean sellest heast kraamist natuke rohkem rääkima. Sõna otseses mõttes reklaami tegema. Sest häid asju tuleb kiita.

Nende näomaskiga olin ma ammu tuttav, ebaregulaarselt ka kasutanud, aga nüüd on mul paarist tootest lausa sõltuvus. Esimesest olen ma juba rääkinud, aga kui te pilte vaadates mõtlete, miks see üks pudel nii kriimustatud on, siis sellele ongi üks väga lihtne selgitus – see on mul kogu aeg kaasas ja igal pool. Mul ei ole kunagi olnud probleemne nahk, aga mul on kuiv nahk. Eriti kuivaks muutub see lennukisõidul ja üllatus-üllatus Norra talves. See sügvaniisutav näoõli on puhas õnnistus. Mul on oma pudelike peaaegu otsas, sest ma kasutan seda igal hommikul ja ilma selleta kohe ei oska (ERITI Norras!).

Teine toode, mida mulle meeldib hommikul näole piserdada on rabatoonik. Nüüd olen ma seda kasutanud kolm kuud ja eile kui ma peeglisse vaatasin, pidin ise ka imestama kui särav jume mul oli. Ausalt, ma ei liialda. Kuna ma väga palju meiki ei armasta, siis on jume minu jaoks väga oluline, aga ka meiki kandes meeldib mulle päeva peale sellega nägu värskendada.

Sära andev rabavesi 24K kullaga, mida ma küll Norra kaasa ei võtnud, sest igapäevaselt ma talvel ei raatsi seda kasutada, on ka veel üks neid lemmikuid, mille ma pean ära mainima. Suve saabudes olen ma kindel, et sellest saab ~~meie suvi~~ suvelemmik nr1. Kas veame kihla?

Kehaõli on mu meigikotis samamoodi asendamatuks muutunud, täpselt samadel põhjustel, et kuiv nahk, aga lõhn…ka lõhn on üks põhjus, miks see mu üheks uueks lemmikuks on saanud (peale vana head EA Green Tea´d, EA jääb mu jaoks alati selleks esimeseks lemmikkreemiks, nii nagu mu lemmiklõhnaks jääb alati Issey Miyake L´eu D´Issey, kuigi lõhnade suhtes olen ma tunduvalt rohkem truudust murdnud kui kreemide suhtes.)

Ja lõpetuseks minu lemmiklemmiklemmik, absoluutne must have kõikidele, kel juba natuke või rohkem vana nahk, mis pinguldamist vajaks. Bioaktiivne turbamask 24K kullaga – aitäh sulle, et sa olemas oled! Reklaamtekst ütleb “tõestatud toime”. Ma kirjutan kahe käega siia alla. Ma ei saa öelda, et mu otsmik on nüüd kortsuvaba, seda mitte, ilmselt päris imetoodet vananemise vastu ei ole siiski olemas, aga olemasolevaid kortse SILUB see mask küll täiega. Pinguldab nahka ka. Selles ei saa üldse kaheldagi. Peale 10 minutit maski on nahk hoopis teine. Teate kui ilus sära nahale jääb peale maski tegemist? Olgugi, et (minu puhul) vaatab mulle peeglist ikka vastu kolme päeva pärast 37-aastaseks saav naine, siis see mask annab vähemalt seitse aastat noorema enesetunde. Ma tahaks küsida, et ei tea, mis imeained seal sees on, aga ma ju tean. Bioaktiivsed turbaühendid ja humiinained ning 24karaadise kosmeetilise kuld. Toimiv valem!

Mõnda aega oli mu lemmik Domina Elegans 5D Golden Beauty näomask, aga mingi hetk hakkasin ma otsima looduslikemaid alternatiive. 100% looduslik, vegan ja käsitsi valmistatud Turbliss tundub TÕESTATULT ülihea valik.

Mul oleks hea meel teada saada, milline on teie kokkupuude ja tagasiside nendele toodetele? Kas nõustute minuga? Jätke postituse alla oma kommentaar ja ma loosin reedel – 16.03 välja kotikese oma lemmik Turbliss toodetega.

Turbliss was born out of the dream to give more value to a very special natural resource using the knowledge of our grandmothers in combination with modern science. Together with scientists and bog specialists, we have worked out unique methods how to find, dig, analyze, and process balneological peat in order to turn it into an easy to use functional cosmetic product for a modern human being.

Balneological peat is natural high technology. Its original composition is extremely rich and bioactive – humic, fulvic, and hymatomelanic acids, inorganic minerals, lipids, amino acids, enzymes, microelements, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and sulphur. These bioactive substances penetrate deep into the skin, restore its elasticity and normal functioning. Peat works a an effective anti-age treatment and an enzyme peel, it deep cleanses and balances problem skin, alleviates psoriasis and eczema, stimulates skin microcirculation and metabolism. Turbliss face masks are all deep cleansing and deeply moisturizing at the same time when used correctly. Humic acid is strong enough to reverse the oxidation process and reduce cellulite.

My favorites:

Deeply Moisturizing Face Oil – Limited Edition product for cold seasons. Deeply moisturizing and protective. Suitable to use as a cold protection. Contains high levels of omega 3, omega 6 fatty acids, linoleic acid and phytochemicals which keep the skin elastic and healthy. Orange and myrtle essential oils support skin structure and uplift the spirit. 100% natural.

Bioactive Peat Toner – 100% pure peat water. Cleanses, refreshens, revitalizes and tones the skin. Minimizes pores, helps even out skin tone and texture. Restores normal pH of the skin. 100% natural. TurBliss Bioactive Peat toner is a living product. It is only mechanically filtered and contains the unique bioactive complex without any refinement. Real peat water is dark yellow or even brown because it contains the same humic substances as peat. Peat Tonic is packed in a dark glass bottle with a comfortable spray pump. It is easy to carry it around, to use it on a cotton pad or just as refreshing spray. The product does not contain any fragrances or additives. It is suitable also for sensitive skin. Hypoallergenic.

Bioactive Peat Mask with 24K gold – Pure micronized peat enriched with 24K gold. Smoothes out existing wrinkles and prevents the formation of new wrinkles. Slows down the process of collagen depletion. Gold ions stimulate cell metabolism and help maintain moisture balance. Decreases skin receptivity to allergies and infections and helps to restore skin tissue. Increases the production of elastin in fibroplasts keeping the skin elastic and toned. Bioactive substances penetrate deep into the skin and restore its normal functioning. Efficient anti-ageing treatment, reduces pigmentation, heals problematic skin, alleviates acne, eczema and psoriasis. Accelerates skin metabolism, enlivens and tones the skin. Proven results. No added ingredients. 100% natural.

Firming and Elivening Body Oil – A perfect home SPA product with a strong aromatherapy effect. Moisturizes, firms and revives dry and dull skin. Geranium and juniper berry stimulate skin metabolism, help to reduce water retention and remove toxins from the skin. Suitable to use as a massage oil. When applied to damp skin the oil absorbs quickly. Recommended to use after Bioactive Body Scrub Mask. Contains natural essential oils. 100% natural.

Would you like to win Turbliss peat products? If so, then just leave a comment under this post if you have had any experience with peat products before? I will pick one lucky winner who will receive a bag with my favorite Turbliss products this Friday – 16.03.

Kolm ühes: naistepäev, õhtusöök, sünnipäev//Adult mode off and childish mode on!

March 5, 2018March 5, 2018 / Eveliis / 4 Comments

Ma ei tea isegi enam mitu aastat järjest me sõbrannadega iga kuu kokku saame, et koos midagi toredat teha. Viis-kuus aastat? Vahet ei olegi, see on lihtsalt selline tore traditsioon. Veebruaris oli minu kord sõbrannasid võõrustada või kuhugi välja kutsuda, aga mul ei olnud selleks aega. Kokku saime me alles sel laupäeval ehk juba otsapidi märtsis. Naistepäeva eel tekkis mul mõte, et miks mitte korraldada üks mõnus tüdrukute õhtu. Aga kus? Tartus ei ole mul sõbrannasid kuhugi kutsuda ja Ussipessa tundus nii igav.

Minu valikuks sai hotell London Tartu kesklinnas. Valik sai tehtud asukoha järgi – hotell asub Tartu vanalinnas. Raekoja plats, Ülikool ja Toomemägi ning ka söögikohad on kohe käe-jala juures, nii et ilusa ilma puhul on lausa lust teha linnas väike jalutuskäik Toomemäele ning pärast leida einestamiseks just oma maitsele sobiv söögikoht. Muidugi ei saa etteruttavalt mainimata jätta ka hotell Londoni oma restorani Polpo, mis ka mitu aastat Eesti parimate restoranide hulka kuulub. Hotell Londoniga on mul üldse eriline suhe. See oli üks esimesi hotelle, mida ma hotelle arvustades külastasin, mulle läks tookordne vastuvõtt nii südamesse, et olin natuke pahane, et mul pole põhjust Tartus rohkem hotellis ööbida. Elu tegi aga muudatused ja nii on mul aastate jooksul tulnud päris palju Tartus hotellides ööbida. Üheks minu valikuks on tihti olnud eelpooltoodud põhjustel just hotell London.

Te ju teate, et ma olen tegelikult Tartu tüdruk? Kui mulle nooremana ei sümpatiseerinud Tartu unisus, siis nüüd olen ma seda aina rohkem hindama hakanud. Laupäeval oli väljas imeilus päikeseline ilm ja enne sõbrannade saabumist oli ainuõige teha linna peal üks väikene jalutuskäik. Ma jalutasin üles Toomemäele, kõndisin Ingli- ja Kuradisillal, möödusin Tähetornist, Püssirohukeldrist, toomkiriku varemetest, Kristjan Jaagust, Musumäest ja meenutasin. Nagu vanainimene. Toomemäel on palju käidud – hea tujuga, paha tujuga, ajaviitmiseks, romantikaks jalutamas, enne klubisse minekut napsutamiseks (ikkagi vaene üliõpilane ka oldud) ja ühest loengust teise üle Toomemäe joostud. Toomemägi on minu arvates üldse üks kaunemaid paiku.

Kui külm põski ja nälg kõhtu näpistama hakkas, oli aeg tagasi tuppa suunduda. Polpost olin ma endale tellinud mõnusa baklažaaniroa ja klaasi tummist punast veini, viskasin end muretult diivanile ja nautisin “Tuulepealse maa” kordust. Kodune tunne oli. Mõnus ja hubane. Kardinate vahelt piilus tuppa soe päike, laudadel olid värsked tulbid ja appi kui klišeeilikult see kõlab, aga mu südamesse tungis kevad. Ma tundsin, et kevad ei ole enam kaugel.

Muide, kui te olete ka naistepäevausku nagu mina ja mõtlete, kuidas seda tähistada või milliseid vihjeid mehele anda, siis ma soovitan teil vaadata Londoni ja Polpo poole. Isegi kui te ei plaani seal ööbida, siis naistepäeva ajal on neil mitmeid häid pakkumisi. Kui teile meeldib šampanja, siis need pakkumised on teile. Mul on mõned lemmikšampanjad – Charles Heidsiecki pakkumistes ei olnud, aga Ruinart ja Veuve Cliquot ootavad teid Polpos igatahes. Ja kui sellest veel väheks jääb, siis 10.03 on Uku (ikka Suviste, muidugi) teid seal ootamas. Mmmmm….šampus. Mis teie siis arvasite?Uku Suviste peale mõmisemiseks olen ma liiga vana ja liiga abielus ja liiga ülekaaluline.

Sõbrannasid oodates panin sauna ka sooja. Võib olla isegi mitte selle pärast, et mul kodus seda luksust ei ole või et külm natuke ikka näpistama hakkas, vaid sellepärast, et mulle lihtsalt meeldib hotellitoas end mugavasse hommikumantlisse kerida. Ma oleks seda kohe teinud, aga viisakas oli sõbrannad ikka ära oodata korralikes riietes.

Ma ei olnud sõbrannadega nii ammu kohtunud, et üks neist oli vahepeal lausa lapse saanud. Okei, nali, ma muidugi teadsin, et ta lapse sai, ent tillukest Adeelet nägin ma siiski esimest korda. Kui presidendi vastuvõtule ehk vastsündinuga minna ei sobiks, siis tüdrukute õhtusööki ei saa üks pisike printsess küll kuidagi segada.

Kuna te viimati sõbrannadega midagi koos tegite? Kui sellest on pikka aega möödas, siis ma nii soovitan sellist natuke teistmoodi tüdrukute õhtut – hea toit, hea vein, hea seltskond ja nalja nabani. Me lõkerdasime nagu teismelised ja naersime täiesti tobedate asjade üle. Olime lapsikud. Täiskasvanu- mode off ja lapsik-mode on. Aegajalt kulub marjaks ära. Ahjaa, ma ei tea, mida koristajad tuba koristades pärast mõtlesid. Ei, me ei korraldanud mingit läbu, me lihtsalt sõime nii nagu oleks viimne päev tulemas. Asi oli nimelt selles, et kuigi Polpo kostitas meid suupistetega, läksid meie jutud ülikooli peale. Kuidas raha ei olnud ja siis sai Tsink Plekk Panges munariisi söömas käidud, sest rohkemaks polnud raha või priiskamise päevadel Tavernast pitsa tellitud. Nostalgialainel olles ja kuna kõik toidukohad olid ju käe-jala juures otsustasime me vanade aegade meenutuseks nostalgiatoite tellida. No sai natuke rohkem kui munariis ja väike pitsa;)

Õde tõi mulle varajaseks sünnipäevakingiks Helen Valk-Varavin ehted. Kinkis enda omad edasi. See oli temast nii paganama armas, sest ma olin aastaid neid talt ära proovinud moosida. Nii ootamatult tuletatigi mulle meelde, et juba järgmisel nädalal saan ma 37-aastaseks ja vaikne laupäevaõhtu läks üle…tahaks nii öelda, et rajuks tähistamiseks, aga pean ütlema, et lihtsalt rahulikuks sünnipäeva tähistamiseks. Kell me juba põõnasime nagu kotid. Või vähemalt mina. Sõbranna oli isegi kontrollimas käinud, kas ma ikka elus olen, sest ta polevat kedagi näinud nii liikumatult magamas. Ma olin lihtsalt väsinud. Mu viimase aja unegraafik oli tiba peapeale läinud ja see oli päris kurnavaks muutunud.

Hommikul ärkasime me teise sõbranna uksele koputuse peale. Ma pidin minestama. Kell oli üheksa. Ma ei mäleta, kuna mind viimati kell üheksa üles AJADA tuli. Ma lahkun hotellidest harilikult hiljemalt üheksa paiku. Seekord lahkusin ma toast 12 minuti enne kahtteist. Lihtsalt nautisin veel tuba, vaikust, puhkust, aega iseendaga. Tartust sõitsin ära soe tunne ja kevad südames. Jaah, topeltklišee, naerge- naerge, aga mõnikord lihtsalt on selline tunne, et mitte midagi ei ärrita ja kõik teeb rahulolevaks.

Pühapäevane Tartu oli traditsiooniliselt unine. Inimtühi. Aga päikeseline.

I’ve lost count on how many years in a row I’ve meet up with my girlfriends every month to do something fun together. Five, maybe six years? It doesn’t even matter, it’s just one of those nice traditions. This February it was my turn to host the girls or ask them out somewhere but I didn’t have any time. We ended up meeting this Saturday which obviously was already March. In anticipation of International Women’s Day I had a thought of organising a lovely girls’ night out. But where? I don’t have anywhere in Tartu to invite the girls over to and inviting them to my home, Ussipesa seemed such a boring idea.

I ended up choosing Hotel London in the middle of Tartu. I made the choice based on its location: the hotel is in the old town of Tartu, town hall square, university and the Dome Church Hill as well as places to eat are all just around the corner. So in nice weather it’s perfect for a little walk around the the Dome Church Hill and then for finding a place to eat based on what we end up fancying. Also, I must mention the hotel restaurant Polpo, which has been among the best restaurants in Estonia for years. I have a very special relationship with Hotel London. It was one of the first hotels that I visited when I was reviewing hotels and I was so impressed by the reception that first time that I was almost a little bit upset that I did’t have more reasons to stay in the hotel when visiting Tartu. Life and circumstances, however, have changed and now over the years I’ve had many a reason to stay in hotels in Tartu. Hotel London has often been my place of choice for the aforementioned reasons.

You do know that I’m actually a girl from Tartu? When I was younger, I wasn’t keen on the sleepiness of Tartu but over the years I’ve come to appreciate it more and more. The weather on Saturday was gorgeously sunny and so the only right thing to do before the girls arrived was to go for a little stroll around the town. I walked up to Dome Church Hill, across the Bridge of Angel and the Bridge of Devil, past the Old Observatory, Gunpowder Cellar, ruins of the Dome Church, statue of Kristjan Jaak Peterson, Kissing Hill; I walked and reminisced like an old lady. I’ve walked across the Dome Church Hill many times – in good spirits and bad, in order to pass the time or be romantic, to have a drink before heading out clubbing (I’ve been a penniless student after all!) and ran over the hill to make it from one lecture to another. Dome Church Hill is one of the most beautiful places in the world in my option.

When the cold started biting my cheeks and my stomach started rumbling, I knew it was time to head back indoors. I had ordered a lovely aubergine dish and a glass of well-rounded wine from Polpo. So I threw myself on the couch and enjoyed the rerun of “Windward Land” on the TV. It felt nice and homely. Snug and cosy. The warm sunshine was pushing into the room through the curtains and there were fresh tulips on the table and I know this will sound awfully like a cliché but I felt how spring was making its way into my heart. I felt like it was no longer far away.

By the way, I don’t know if you believe in celebrating International Women’s Day the way I do and are wondering how to celebrate it and what hints to drop to your man. Either way, I suggest to have a glance at Polpo and and Hotel London. Even if you don’t plan on staying there for the night, then they have a number of good offers around International Women’s Day. I have a couple of favourite champagnes, they didn’t have Charles Heidsieck on their offer but Ruinart and Veuve Cliquot are waiting for you in Polpo. And if that’s not enough, then on 10^th of March Uku (Suviste, obviously!) will also be there for you. Mmmm…. Champagne! What did you think? I am too old and too married to think about Uku Suviste:D

While I was waiting for the girls to arrive, I turned on the sauna. Not only because I don’t have that luxury in my own home or because I felt a bit cold but mainly because I just love wrapping myself into a comfy bathrobe when I’m in a hotel room. I would’ve done it sooner but I find it more polite to greet your friends in proper clothing.

It had been so long since I’d last seen my friends that one of them had even had a baby in the mean time! Okay, I’m joking, of course I knew she had had a baby but this was the first time that I had met tiny Adeele. Taking a newly born to the presidential reception is a bit against the rules of etiquette but the tiny princess cannot ruin any girly dinners in any way!

When’s the last time you did something together with your girlfriends? If it has been a while, let me recommend you a slightly different girly evening: good food, good wine, good company and laughing until you cry. We giggled like teenagers and laughed over silly stuff. We were completely childish. Adult mode off and childish mode on! Every now and again it hits the spot completely. I’ve no idea what the housekeepers must have thought when they were cleaning the room. No, we didn’t turn the room upside down, we just ate like it was our last meal ever. Although Polpo provided us with snacks, we started talking about our university days. How we didn’t have any money and how we went to eat egg-fried rice at Tsink Plekk Pang because that was all taht we could afford, or how when we splashed out, we ordered pizza from Taverna. Feeling nostalgic and with everything being so close by we decided to order all those student foods for sake of memories. And of course we ordered a bit more than some egg-fried rice and a small pizza.

My sister brought me an early birthday present – Helen Valk-Varavin designer jewellery. She re-gifted her ones. This was so damn sweet of her because I have tried for years to talk her into giving them to me. And so suddenly I was reminded that I turn 37 next week and our quiet Saturday night turned into… I’d like to say into a wild celebration but I must admit just into quiet celebrations. At ?? o’clock we were already asleep like babies. Or at least I was. One of my friends had even checked on me to make sure I was alive since she had never seen anyone sleeping without moving one bit. I was just so tired. Lately, my sleeping schedule has been turned upside down and it had become quite exhausting.

In the morning, we woke up to another friend knocking on the door. I nearly passed out. It was nice o’clock. I can’t remember the last time that I had to be WOKEN at nine o’clock in the morning. I usually check out of hotels around nine. This time I checked out twelve minutes to twelve. I just stayed to enjoy the room, the peace, the rest, the time for myself. I drove out of Tartu with spring in my step and a warm feeling in my heart. Yes, a double cliché; laugh away but sometimes it just feels like nothing can upset you and everything makes you feel good.

Sunday in Tartu was traditionally sleepy. Empty. But full of sunshine.

Armastus ehk pildid ütlevad rohkem kui sada sõna//My new LOVE

February 28, 2018February 28, 2018 / Eveliis / Leave a comment

Kas te teate kui kaua ma olen otsinud puidust taldrikuid? Okei, ma ei ole neid otseselt OTSINUD, aga ma olen kogu aeg mõelnud, et mul on neid vaja. Mu vanatädil Rootsis olid puidust taldrikud ja sealt mulle armastus nende vastu sisse on jäänud. Täiesti ootamatult viis elu mind kokku ühe andeka disaineriga, kes oh üllatus-üllatus tegeleb puidust ja nahast toodete valmistamisega.

Ma olen tema toodetesse armunud! Ja rohkem ma ei ütlegi midagi. Vaadake ise ja öelge, et te ei armu samuti. Tema puidust alus mul kodus juba on tänaseks päevaks. Mis te arvate, kas puidust taldrikud on juba teel;)

Daamid ja härrad, tutvustan teile oma uut armastust – Brne.eu

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Is it okay to say that I have a crush in things? Or even call it love. I have always loved wooden things. Since I was a little girl. I am not kidding. My great aunt had wooden plates and the moment I saw them I fell in love. I have searched for similar ones, but hadn´t found the right ones. And then one day – just like that I suddenly met a talanted designer who showed me photos of her products. Boom! Right there I fell in love again. Her wooden and leather trays, mats, coffee cozies are so elegant, so simple, so sophisticated and so beautiful. Ladies and gentelmen, I proudly present my new love – Brne.eu!

Parim lohutus//Liar, liar, pants on fire!

February 26, 2018February 26, 2018 / Eveliis / 11 Comments

Tulin õhtul koosolekult koju ja murdusin. Üle saja aasta nutsin ma töö pärast. Nutsin nagu väike laps. Vahet pole isegi, mis need põhjused olid, aga mida enam ma püüdsin end tagasi hoida ja mitte nutta, istusin ma arvuti taga ja luksusin nutta. Lahinal. Marek püüdis mind lohutada, aga no ei saanud ma oma veekraane kinni.

“Miks emme nutab?” küsis Ida toast. Marek ütles, et emme on kurb ja palus Idal mulle kalli teha. Ida jooksis minu juurde ja küsis: “Miks sa nutad?”

“Tööonu oli emme peale pahane,” vastasin ma.

“Mis pärast?” uuris Ida edasi.

Ma ei osanud talle vastata. Kuidas seletada 4,5aastasele, et ma murdusin tööstressi all.

“Tööonu ütles, et emme on paha,” ütlesin ma, mõtlemata üldse sõnadele, mis ma suust välja tulid.

Ida vaatas mulle otsa, siiralt ja sügavalt ning ütles: “Sa ei ole üldse paha.” Ja kallistas mind.

Korraks hakkasin me veel rohkem nutma, aga võtsin end kokku ja tänasin Idat. See oli täpselt see, mida ma hetkel vajasin. Kui mu laps, kelle jaoks ma enda arvates olen pigem halb ema, range ja pidevalt töösse uppunud, ütleb, et ma ei ole paha, siis see on parim kompliment, mida kuulda.

“Kas ta ütles, et sa oled paha?” kordas Ida mõne aja pärast uuesti.

Noogutasin ja teesklesin naeru. “Aga ei ole onju, onu valetas,” naersin läbi pisarate.

Ida nõustus. “Ta oli valevorst. Meil öeldakse lasetaias siis “häbi häbi püksis käbi”.”

I came home from the meeting in the evening and broke down. For the first time in ages I cried over work. Cried like a little baby. It doesn’t even matter what the reasons behind it were, but the more I tried to keep myself together and not cry, the more I sobbed behind the computer. Uncontrollably. Marek tried to console me but I just couldn’t turn off my waterworks.

“Why is mummy crying?“ Ida was asking from the other room. Marek told her that mummy was sad and asked Ida to give me a hug. Ida ran to me and asked, “Why are you crying?“

“The man at work was mad at mummy,” I said.

“Why?” Ida enquired further.

I didn’t know how to reply. How are you supposed to explain to a 4.5-year-old that I had cracked under work pressure?

“The man at work told me that mummy is bad,” I said without even thinking about the words that slipped out of my mouth.

Ida looked at me, deeply and sincerely, and said, “You are not at all bad.” And she gave me a hug.

For a moment, I started crying even more but pulled myself together and thanked Ida. This was exactly what I needed that moment. If my kid, for whom I think I am more like a bad mother, strict and buried under work, if she thinks that I am not bad then that is the best compliment I could ever receive.

“Did he say you were bad?” Ida repeated after a while again.

I nodded and pretended to laugh, “But I’m not, am I? He was lying,” I laughed through the tears.

Ida agreed, “He was a liar. In the kindergarten we say ‘Liar, liar, pants on fire!’“

Kala või kunst? Külm või kuum?//Hot n Cold like in Kate Perry song

February 18, 2018February 19, 2018 / Eveliis / 7 Comments

Ma pidin nädalavahetusel Norra minema (jap, alles saime koju, ma tean ma tean), aga juhtus hoopis nii, et laupäeva hommikul istusime me Marekiga “Tiiu” peal ja sõitsime Hiiumaa poole. Minu puhul pole ju imestada, et plaanid muutuvad ja rohkem kui paar päeva ei oska ma ette planeerida, kus (isegi millises riigis) ma parasjagu olla võiks.

Hiiumaaga on selline naljakas lugu, et ma olin varem Hiiumaal käinud vaid kaks korda, aga tänu kohvikupäevadele käisin ma eelmisel suvel Hiiumaal tihedamini kui Tartus ja armusin täielikult. Hiiumaa pakub kõike seda, mis mulle meeldib. Loodus, rahu, kunst, kultuur, toiduelamused. Pole siis ime, et ma armunud olen. Ja miks oodata suveni, et seda võrratut saart uuesti külastada? Eriti kui on nii ilus talv nagu praegu. Lapsevaba nädalavahetus oleks patt kodus teleka ees maha magada ja nii me Hiiumaale põrutasimegi.

Meie ööbimiskohaks sai maailma kõige nunnum väike külalistemaja Orjaku sadama lähistel. Ma tundsin natuke süümekaid, et Ida olime “maha raputanud”, sest ta oleks täiega nautinud seda, et saab just nagu nukumajas ööbida, aga samas ei mäleta ma kuna me viimati Marekiga kahekesi ilma segamata puhkasime. Seega selline väikene romantiline põgenemine argipäevast kadakate vahele kulus väga ära.

Roose väikemaja asub paarisaja meetri kaugusel Orjaku sadamast ja kui veel eelmisel aastal ei oleks see mulle midagi öelnud, siis praegu oskan ma öelda, et see on VÄGA HEA asukoht. Eelmise aasta kohvikupäevade ajal nägin ma kui mõnus melu Orjaku sadamas toimus, lisaks veel õhtune kontsert, et praegu mõtlen ma, et peaks selle maja juba varakult endale kohvikupäevade ajaks broneerima. Kui just keegi ette ei jõua…

Maja ise on aga nii äge, et me Marekiga läksime vaidlema, kuhu meil seda rohkem vaja oleks – kas koduhoovi külalistemajaks või Prangli saarele suvemajaks. “Võtame kaks,” naersime me nagu meil oleks raha jalaga segada, aga unistama peab suurelt. Ja Cuubeni majad ON nunnud. Täpselt sellised pärissuuruses nukumajad, kus kõik vajalik (köögist wc-ni) olemas. Suurimaks boonuseks muidugi nö live televiisor suure klaasseina näol. Targem olekski olnud televiisor kinni panna, sest halllooooo Eesti Laulu teine poolfinaal oli selline jura, mille sarnast mina varem näinud polnud, ja nautida aknast avanevat loodust. Nagu tasuta National Geographic.

(PS. Tänu Klaudiale ja Jaagupile tutvusin ma Hiiu Gourmet toodetega ja jällegi natuke armusin. Siin minimajas olid ka need tooted olemas ja tuletasid mulle meelde, et ma pean end Nõmmele Toiduhaldjatesse vedama. See on Tallinnas ainus koht, kus neid müüakse. Minu teada.)

Kui te arvate, et talvel ei toimu Hiiumaal midagi, siis te eksite. Sel nädalavahetusel oli meil valida, kas minna Olev Subbi aktimaalide näituse avamisele või Jääkala festivalile. Aga miks mitte mõlemat? Marek küll puikles alguses vastu, et tema ei taha minna erootikat vaatama, et miks tema ei võiks minna kala püüdma, kuid peale näitust (kuhu me nagu te aru saite siiski jõudsime) tunnistas isegi, et väga põnev oli. Eriti kuna Enn Kunila tutvustas maale ja Olev Subbi loomingut väga huvitavalt. Olev Subbi ei ole minu kõige suurem lemmik, kuid see näitus mulle meeldis. Värvid võlusid.

Lisaks näha Lurichit keset paljaid daame…Mul ei ole sõnu. Lurich on lihtsalt legend! Kui satute Hiiumaad külastama, siis minge näituselt läbi. Kaege oma silmga daamid ja Lurich üle. See on seda väärt.

Orjaku sadamas toimus sel nädalavahetusel ka Jääkala Festival. Nii nagu korraldajad ja külastajad ütlesid, siis eesmärk on näidata, et Hiiumaal ei ole vaid suvel ilus ja ma ei saaks nendega rohkem nõustuda. Muidugi ilmaga vedas ka, aga isver kui mõnus oli veeta päev värskes õhus, looduses. Ja nii pagama ilus oli. Lõbus ka. Mina, vana tantsuvihkaja, keerutasin isegi kohaliku rahvatantsurühmaga koos Kalle Kustat. Sest no külm oli, kuradi külm oli lõpuks. Kalle Kusta tantsusammudele sain ma pihta muidugi alles siis kui tants läbi sai, aga keegi peab ju kloun ka olema ja vähemalt sooja sai. Muidu ei saanud arugi, et külm oli, ent peale seda kui me pubis soojendamas end käisime, puges külm kontidesse. Jumal tänatud, et mina olin eelmisel õhtul vanama käest villased sokid kätte saanud, sest muidu oleks mu varbad ära külmunud. Samas koju ei tahtnud ka minna, sest no tuleshow ja Jääääre kontsert olid veel ootamas.

Peale tuleshow vaatamist, mis oli küll maagiline, hakkas meil mõlemil veel külmem. Ei tea kui kuumavereline see naine pidi olema, et ta ära ei külmunud?

Kontserdi ajal sattusime kokku ühe vana tuttavaga (kes muuseas on üks põhjusi, miks ma armastan külastada Laulasmaa (spaad ja) restorani, sest tema menüü noh) ja nautisime sõbraliku klatši saatel Jääääre imelist kontserti.

Kui lumevärv mu silmades on kustunud
kui taevast keerleb keerleb lund
kui tule värv on mu mälestuses tuhmunud
kuid süsi hõõgub hõõgub tuld

siis sinu suul siis sinu suul
on kogu külm on kogu kuum
siis sinu suul on kogu külm

Lumevärv on üks mu lemmikumaid lugusid. Ilus eesti keel ja ilus muusika. ILUS. Sobis nii kenasti päeva kokku võtma.

Kontsert läbi, jooksime me kand ja varvas koju minimajja. No nii külm oli kontides. Niiii külm. Saun oli ainus asi, millest me mõtlesime ja pererahvas oli sauna mõnusalt juba kütte pannud. Meil ei olnud vaja muud kui oma külmunud kondid lavale vedada ja üles sulama minna. Aaaaahhhh isssssand jumal, kuidas ma tunnen meie kodus saunast puudust. Isssssand kui mõnus seal oli. Ja kui romantiliselt ilus ning vaikne oli talvine Orjaku. Vaid meie, lumi, kadakad ja mahe valgus. Ma mõtlen, et võib olla on lumine Hiiumaa isegi maagilisem kui suvine?

Hommikuks olime me nii puhanud, et ärkasime enne kukke ja koitu. 8.30 sõitsime me praamiga mandrile tagasi. Killuke mu südamest jäi Orjakusse. Aitäh selle puhkuse eest! Aitäh! Me tuleme tagasi. Loodetavasti veel enne augustit. Ida võtame ka kaasa. See oleks vaid aus.

I was supposed to go to Norway this weekend (I know I know, we only just got back), but instead, on Saturday morning, me and Marek sat on Tiiu and sailed to Hiiumaa. For me, it is no news that plans change and I cannot plan more than couple of days ahead where or which country I might be.

Funny story with Hiiumaa – I had been there only two times, but thanks to the Home Cafe Days, I went there last summer more often than to Tartu and completely fell in love. Hiiumaa offers me everything that I like. Nature, peace, art, culture, gourmet experience. No wonder I am in love. And why wait until summer to visit this wonderful island again? Specially, if we have such a beautiful winter like we have. It would be very stupid thing to spend childfree weekend watching TV. So we went to Hiiumaa.

We stayed in one of the cutest little guest houses in the world near Orjaku harbor. I felt a bit guilty for not having Ida with us, as she would really have enjoyed the fact that we stayed like in a little dollhouse. Then again, I cannot remember the last time we had a holiday, just me and Marek, alone. So this little romantic getaway from the daily routine into the bush was well needed.

Roose Tinyhouse is about 400 meters from Orjaku harbor. Even though that would have not meant anything to me last year, then I can assure you now, that it is A PERFECT location. During last year’s Home Café Days I saw the kind of buzz surrounding Orjaku harbor, not to mention the late evening concert ahead, that I am actually thinking of booking this place for myself for next Café Days. Unless, somebody is quicker than me…

The house itself is just too cool, that me and Marek couldn’t decide whether we need one as our guest house in the back yard or as a little summer house in Prangli island. “Let’s take two” we were joking like we had loads of money. But they say, you have to dream big. And Cuuben houses ARE cute. Just like real life dollhouses, where you have all the necessary (from kitchen to toilet). The biggest bonus of course was the huge glass wall as a live TV. Actually, we should have shut the TV, because C’mon, the second semifinal in Eesti Laul was just too rubbish, and enjoy the nature and view behind the glass. Like National Geographic for free.

(PS! Thanks to Klaudia and Jaagup, I was introduced to products from Hiiu Gourmet and fell in love a bit more. This mini house had all these products to offer and reminded me that I have to go to Toiduhaldjad in Nõmme. That is the only place in Tallinn that sells their products … I think)

If you think that there is nothing happening in Hiiumaa in wintertime, you are so wrong. This weekend we had to choose between going to the opening of Olev Subbi nude paintings exhibition or Icefish festival. But why not visit both? Marek was against it at first, that he does not want to go and see erotica, why can’t he go fishing, but after leaving the exhibition (which, as you can understand, we still visited), he admit it being interesting. Specially, because Enn Kunila introduced the paintings and his creation so interestingly. I am not the biggest fan of Olev Subbi, but I enjoyed that exhibition very much. I was fascinated by the colors.

And to see Lurich in the middle of naked ladies … I don’t have enough words. Lurich is a legend of his own! If you happen to visit Hiiumaa, then pop in to see that exhibition too. Go and check out the ladies and Lurich for yourself. It is worth it.

There was also an Icefish festival this weekend in Orjaku harbor. Like the organisers and visitors said, the aim was to show that Hiiumaa is beautiful not only during summer time and I could not agree more. Of course we were lucky with the weather, but my god how good it was to spend the day in fresh air and nature. It was so beautiful. And fun. Me, who hates dancing above all, was dancing together with a local folk group. Because it was cold, so god deem cold. I understood the steps only after the dance was finished, but somebody had to be the clown too. Plus, I became warm. Actually, you couldn’t feel the cold weather, but after going into the pub to get some warmth, the cold feeling stayed. Thankfully, I had received my woolen socks from grandmother the previous evening, otherwise my toes would have frozen. And I didn’t want to go home yet, as there was still fire show and Jäääär concert to come.

After seeing the magic fire show, we both got even colder. I wonder, how come the women, who performed, didn’t freeze…

During the concert we met with an old friend of ours, who is one of the reasons I like visiting Laulasmaa (spa and) restaurant, because he has put the menu together. So there we were, chatting and gossiping friendly whilst enjoying the amazing concert.

Like the color of snow disappearing in my eyes

When the snow is swirling in the sky

Like the color of fire fading in my memories

But the coal is glowing fire.

Then on your mouth, on your mouth

Is all the cold and all the heat

Then on your mouth is all the cold

“The color of snow” is one of my favorite songs. Beautiful Estonian and beautiful music. BEAUTIFUL. The right song to sum up the day.

After the concert we literally rushed into our mini house. We were just too cold. TOO COLD. Sauna was the only thing we could think of and luckily the hosts had already heated it up. We only had to drag our frozen bodies into the heat to start melting. Oh My God, how I miss not having a sauna at home. It was just soooo amazing. And how romantic and quiet was the winterly Orjaku. Only us, snow, junipers and soft light. I am actually thinking that maybe snowy Hiiumaa is even more magical than in the summer time…

We were well rested by morning and woke up with the dawn. We took the 8:30 ferry back to the main land. I left a little part of my heart to Orjaku. Thank you for this lounge! Thank you! We will be back. Hopefully, before August. And we will bring Ida this time. That would only be fare.

Alkohol – eestluse alustala//Is alcohol the founding element of being Estonian?

February 15, 2018February 15, 2018 / Eveliis / 31 Comments

Ei tule ilmselt üllatusena, et ma olen suur veinisõber. Võib olla ma muidugi teen suuga suurema linna ja jätan endast mulje kui võimalikust alkohoolikust, aga see selleks. Mulle meeldib vein ja alkoholi vastu laias laastus ma ei võitle. Joogu, kes ja kui palju tahab. Kui nad just alaealised ei ole. Mul ei ole probleemi sellega, et soomlased käivad Eestis odavamat alkoholi ostmas, mul ei ole probleemi sellega, et eestlased oma joogid Lätist ostavad, mul ei ole probleemi teel Norra Rootsi Systembolagetist läbi astuda, et soodsamalt veini kaasa osta. “Harryturil” otseselt ei ole käinud, aga ikkagi.

Kui ma elaksin Läti piiri ääres või satuksin pidevalt Lätti, siis ma usun, et võib olla ostaks mina ka sealt alkoholi kaasa, ma ei tea, ma ei ole sellele mõelnud, aga ilmselt ei ole minu alkoholiimu ikkagi nii suur, et sunniks mind ekstra Lätti minema või Lätis olles alkopoe ees ekstrapeatust tegema. Või siis ei ole mul probleemi sellega, et Eestis tõstetakse alkoholiaktsiisi. Ma olen arvamusel, et alkohol ei ole igapäevaselt eluks vajalik ja selle hind võiks veel kordi kõrgem olla. Tarbimata ei jää niikuinii kellelgi. Mul on reaalselt piinlik kuulata hala selle üle, et alkohol on Eestis nii kallis. Ja mis siis, et on? Peabki olema. Siis ehk ei haara nii lihtsalt veini- või õllepudeli järele. Jajaa, ma olen kuulnud ka seda argumenti, et siis hakatakse ise igasugu jooke villima. Teate, mis? Seda on niikuinii alati tehtud. On inimesi, kel ei ole alkoholi jaoks raha, aga juua tahavad ikka. Nad on ammu endale mingid alternatiivid leidnud. See pole mingi argument. Kui inimesed tahavad end suvalise nurga taga villitud jamaga mürgitada, siis palun. Järelikult on prioriteet kasvõi elu hinnaga ent vindiseks saada. Sellist ei parandagi miski.

Et noored ei läheks nurgatagust solki endale sisse kallama, siis siinkohal julgen ma olla vanamoodne ja öelda, et palju annab ikka ära teha ka teavituse ja koduse kasvatusega. Ma olen ka 15-aastaselt long gin´i salaja joonud, aga ma ei oleks kunagi tulnud selle peale, et peaks kusagilt nurga tagant minema salaviina ostma, sest see on põnev või soodne või popp. Ma tean paljusid, kes seda tegid. Naabripoisid uhkustasid pidevalt, et teavad, kust alaealised viina saavad. Said ka. Õnneks jäid ellu. Mind on nad n+1 korda endaga kaasa kutsunud ja samuti on nad mulle oma salaviina üheksakordsete majade turnikate juures hängides pakkunud. Ma olen nendega koos seal hänginud, aga tundmatu päritolu kärakat ei ole ma küll kunagi tarbinud.

Mul on piinlik lugeda, et inimesed kutsuvad oma kaasmaalasi üles 24.02 – Eesti vabariigi 100. sünnipäeval Lätti alkoholi ostma minema. Ausalt. Olgu protesti märgiks või mitte, aga see on piinlik. Suurte tähtedega piinlik. Just nagu oleks alkohol eestluse alustala. Jah, ei arva minagi, et kõik otsused Eestis on ainuõiged ja mõistlikud, on asju, millega ma rahul ei ole ja mille kallal ma virisen, on asju, mis mind ärritavad ja on asju, mis mujal tunduvad paremad, aga pagan… Oma riiki võiks ikkagi nii palju austada, et selliseid lollusi korraldada mõnel muul päeval. Eesti sajandal sünnipäeval võiks kodus kiluvõileibu süüa ja olla uhke, et meil on oma maa oma keele ja oma kultuuriga. Seda ei olegi nii vähe kui mõtlema hakata!

It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that I quite enjoy my wine. Maybe I talk big and come across as a possible alcoholic, but that’s that. I like wine and I don’t hold up a fight against alcohol in general. Anyone can drink as little or as much as they want. Unless, of course, they are underage. I don’t have a problem with Finns who buy cheaper alcohol in Estonia, I don’t have a problem with Estonians buying cheaper alcohol in Latvia, and I don’t have a problem with jumping into Systembologet on my way to Norway through Sweden to buy cheaper wine to take with me. I haven’t exactly been on a „Harrytur“ but still.

If I were to live near the Latvian border or happen to go to Latvia often, then I believe that I would also probably buy some alcohol on my way back. I’m not sure, I haven’t really thought about it but I guess my need for alcohol isn’t as desperate as to make a special trip to Latvia or to go out of my way to stop at a liquor store while I’m there. Or maybe I don’t have a problem with the increase of duty paid on alcohol. I am of the opinion that alcohol is not an essential part of day-to-day life and its price should be even higher than it is. It won’t really stop people from drinking it. I honestly feel embarrassed to hear people complain that alcohol is too expensive in Estonia. And so what? It should be. Maybe then one doesn’t rach for a bottle of beer or wine so nonchalantly. And yes, I have heard the arguments that this brings with it the rise of people brewing all sorts of drinks at home. You know what? It has always been happening, anyway. There are people, who can’t afford alcohol but want a drink anyway. They have found some alternatives to the store for themselves anyway. That is not a valid point. And if people want to poison themselves with some random drink that has been brewed at some random dude’s home, then it’s their choice. Evidently, their goal is to get drunk at any cost, even if it means getting themselves killed. There’s no cure for those people.

In order to stop youngsters from pouring all sorts of slop down their throats, then I dare to be old-fashioned in thinking that this can be prevented by education and explanation at home. I also secretly drank canned long gins as 15-year-old but it never even occurred to me to buy home-cooked vodka in some dark alleyways because it was exciting or popular or cheap. I know quite a few who did it. The guys next door often boasted that they knew where minors could by vodka. And they bought it too. Fortunately, they survived. They invited me along countless times and they also offered the potion they bought to me as we were hanging at the playground by the 9-story blocks of flats. I did hang out with them, but I never tried spirits that came from unknown sources.

It’s embarrassing to read that people are calling for their compatriots to go and buy alcohol in Latvia on 24^th of February, on the 100^th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. Honestly! Even if it is a form of protest, it’s embarrassing. Embarrassing with capital letters. As if alcohol was the founding element of being Estonian. I don’t think that every decision that has been made in Estonia is correct and reasonable; there are things I’m not happy with and that I whinge about, there are things that really annoy me and there are things that are done much better outside Estonia but damn… You should have at least a bit of respect for your homeland to organise foolery as such on some other day. On the 100^th anniversary of Estonia you should stay at home and eat sandwiches with Baltic sprats and be proud that we have our own little country with its own language and culture. This is quite a lot to have if you think about it!

21 aastat//That night, the sun was the moon

February 12, 2018February 12, 2018 / Eveliis / Leave a comment

Sain just kirja Estelle´ilt, kes korraldab 1997/98 aasta Rotary vahetusõpilaste taaskohtumist Norras. Saate aru kui ajuvaba on mõelda, et see oli juba 21 aastat tagasi. Aga ma ei ole ju nii vanagi? Okei, ilmselgelt olen, aga ma hakkan nüüd aru saama, mida tähendab see, et mida vanemaks saad, seda kiiremini läheb aeg. See aeg on ikka väga kiiresti läinud. Vahepeal olid suhted teiste vahetusõpilastega täitsa kaotsi läinud, sest no tookord sai ju omavahel jagatud koduseid aadresse ja telefoninumbreid, e-maile lihtsalt ei olnud veel välja mõeldud. Täiesti uskumatu hetkel mõelda kui palju me üksteisele kirjutasime. Mul on isegi üks karbike kirjadega veel alles. Lubadusi sai ka igasuguseid antud, aga siis kadusid üldse kontaktid. Elu tuli vahele.

Kuniks tore Facebook meid jälle omavahel ühendas. Ei ole midagi see näoraamat nii mõttetu. Päris naljakas oli peale kõiki neid aastaid vaadata, kuidas me muutunud oleme, kes kus ja millist elu elab. Jagame ikka aegajalt omavahel nostalgilisi pilte ja mälestusi. Vanad oleme;) Aga need mälestused tollest vahetusõpilasaastast on tõesti terveks eluks.

Alles hiljuti rääkisime me virmalistest ja keskööpäikesest. Virmalised on mul ikka nägemata, aga keskööpäikest olen ma koos Yuko ja Antoniga nautinud. Ei lähe kunagi meelest.

Ma olin millegi pärast arvanud, et keskööpäike on ülehinnatud ja pigem nagu turistide meelitamiseks välja mõeldut. See oli ilmselt mu kõige rumalam mõte terves elus, sest mitte midagi ei ole siiamaani suutnud seda vaatepilti mu mälust kustutata. Mu fotokas oli just film otsa saanud ja nii on mu albumis vaid üks üsna kesine pilt kesköisest päikesest, kuid seda erilisem on see kogemus ja mälestus mu mälus. Väljas ei olnud pimedaks läinudki, kuigi kell oli kindlasti üle 12. Me istusime Yukoga oma fiskecampingu lähedal asuva tiigikese kaldal, sulistasime varbaidpidi soojas vees ja nautsime täiesti päevvalget õhtutaevast.

„Ilmselt see siis ongi see kesköö päike,“ ütlesin ma Yukole. Yuko noogutas.

„Ei saa öelda, et midagi väga erilist,“ jätkasin ma. „Lihtsalt valge on.“

„Aga imeilus, kas pole,“ lisas Yuko. Nüüd noogutasin mina.

Hetk hiljem tuli Anton meid otsima. „Ah, siin te oletegi? Ma otsisin teid igalt poolt.“

„Kas midagi on lahti?“ ehmatasime me.

„Ei, üldse mitte. Istume nüüd autosse ja lähme kesköö päikest vaatama.“

„Kesköö päikest? Kas see polegi… Ma arvasin,et see, et valge on.. Et see ongi,“ kogelesin ma.

„See?“ tegi Anton imestusest suured silmad pähe. „See on lihtsalt valge suveöö. Keskööpäike on ikka keskööpäike.“

Täpselt 01:08 juulikuu öösel nägin ma oma elu kõige ilusamat vaatepilti. Kõige pealt hakkasid silma kaljud, mis suve heledas öös mõjusid kuidagi hoopis salapärasemalt kui päevasel ajal, sünged ja suured, nende taga sillerdav vaikne ookean ja kõige suurem lõõmavam päikeseratas. Ma jäin hingetuks. „Mää-mää,“ kostis ühe künka tagant vaikne hääl. „Bääää,“ kuuldus teise künka tagant. Kusagil helisesid kellukesed. Meri oli peegelsile. Kaljud veel suuremad kui kunagi varem. Ja päike palju ilusam kui päeval. See oli pilt, mida ei anna sõnadega kirjeldada. See oli pilt, mida ei anna pildil edasi anda. See oli midagi müstilist, salapärast ja suurt, mida peab ise kogema. Me istusime Yukoga pleedi sisse mähituna ühele kaljunukile ja nautisime täielikus vaikuses, mida vahepeal katkestas õrn lammaste määgimine ja tasane kellukeste helin, nautides vaatepilti, mida me kumbki ei teadnud, kas meil õnnestub veel kunagi näha. Sel ööl oli päike kuu. Nüüd tahaks ma veel vaid virmalisi näha, kahju et kõike ilusat ühe korraga ei saa.

*Päisepildil on ka vana Britt-Ida, kelle järgi meie Britt Ida nime on saanud. Temaga kohtumise üle on mul vaata, et veel kõige rohkem hea meel. Oli alles naine!

I just received a letter from Estelle, who is organizing reunion for 1997/98 Rotary exchange students in Norway. It seems so ridiculous to think, that it all happened 21 years ago. I am not that old am I? Well, okay, I must be, but only now am I starting to understand, what it means the older you get, the quicker time flies. The time has gone really quickly. There was a time, when we lost touch among the exchange students, because back then we would swap home addresses and phone numbers, emails were not invented yet. It is unbelievable to think, how much we wrote to each other. I actually still have a little box with all the letters. We gave all sorts of different promises, but then lost touch completely. Life interfered.

Until Facebook brought us back together, which is not that pointless after all. It was quite funny to see how we have all changed over the years and who lives where. We still share old, nostalgic photos and memories. We are old 😉 But the memories from that one year are really for life time.

It was not long ago when we spoke about northern lights and midnight sun. I still haven’t seen northern lights, but I have enjoyed midnight sun together with Yuko and Anton. I will never forget that.

For some reason I had the opinion of midnight sun being overrated and something invented to attract tourists. That must have been the stupidest thought of my life, because nothing yet has been able to delete that sight from my memory. I had just run out of film in my camera and so I have only one vague photo of midnight sun, but the more special is that experience and memory in my mind. It hadn’t turned dark yet, although the time must have been more that 12 AM. Me and Yuko were sitting next to a pond near our campsite, splashing our feet in the warm water and enjoying evening sky in the day light.

“ This must be the midnight sky,” I told Yuko. Yuko nodded.

“I wouldn’t say it is something special,” I continued. “It is just light outside.”

“But so pretty, isn’t it?” Yuko added. Now I was nodding.

A moment later, Anton came to find us. “Oh there you are. I have been looking for you everywhere.”

We got scared, “is something wrong?”

“Not at all. Let’s get in the car and drive to see the midnight sun.”

“Midnight sun? Isn’t this … I thought that, because it is light … this is it, “

I stuttered.

“This?” Anton made so big eyes out of surprise. “This is just light summer night. Midnight sun is midnight sun.”

Exactly at 01:08 one July night I witnessed the most beautiful sight I had ever seen in my life. First we spotted cliffs that seemed so much more mysterious in the bright summer night compared to day time, grim and huge. Behind them, quiet ocean and the biggest and brightest sun ever. I was breathless. You could hear a quiet “baa-baa” behind one hill. “Baaaa,” behind another. Bells were tinkling. The sea was so sleek. The cliffs bigger than ever. And the sun prettier compared to day time. It was a sight you could not describe with words. It was a sight you couldn’t perceive on a photo. It was something mystival, mysterious and so great, that you have to experience it yourself. Me and Yuko sat on the edge of a cliff, wrapped in a blanket and just enjoyed the scenary in silence, not knowing if we would ever be able to experience it again. That night, the sun was the moon. Now I would only like to see the northern lights too. Pitty you can’t have everything beautiful at the same time.

* On the header picture is old Britt-Ida, after whom we named our Britt. Meeting her has made me the happiest of all. She was a woman with a capital W!

Eveliisi eluviis

“There are too many confusing things present. Things I know. Thoughts I have. Sarcasm. Things I think I ought to be doing and places I ought to be going. Always other places.”

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