Edminsters Online

Yesterday, we decided to go hiking in Kõrvamva National Park which is located 1 hour east of the Capital. Arvo drove us there. We were headed for a lake about 15 kilometers away. We first went through mountanous terrain. Then we moved on to a dirt road where we walked for about 2 or 3 kilometers. We arrived at a large wachtower that was about 30 meters tall. We climbed to the top and saw all of the territory we were hiking in. There was all sorts of flora, and the trees were mostly deciduous trees.

From the lookout tower we were headed down a long dirt road that stretched for about 5 kilometers. Afer walking this bit which was dry dusty and sandy, we entered a trail that was narrow, green, and surrounded by a live forest of trees. After walking that portion, we entered a very large field of dry bushes and dry crusty plants. We every step there was a loud crunch. We had about 4 more kilometers to go. All throughout the field there were large crater-like holes. Arvo told us they were where bombs and shells had landed. He told us that this area was a training and testing field for the Soviet army during the Russian times. There were bits of shrapnel everywhere, and many metal fragments from bombs and missiles.

We came toward the end of the field and climbed up a steep hill. On the other side was the lake. We were all very tired by then, and were excited for some food, and a quick swim. We found a great spot and had lunch and swam. I was very fun and relaxing. Now we had to walk the whole 15 kilometers back. It was actually faster going back than it was coming. My legs felt like jello. Afer walking back through all of the same terrain we came to a small river. Matt was the first to go into it. I followed him quickly, and i didn’t bother to take my shoes off. It felt so good. The water washed out all of the sand that was in between my toes, and I splashed it all over my face. We walked back to the car and headed home.

All during the hike Siim had been teaching me my Estonian numbers from 1 to 100 and I got to where I could both say them and recognize them. In the car on the way home we took turns trying to come up with words and phrases that would be difficult for foreigners to pronounce. The Estonians thought it was so funny when I tried to say “Jüriöö Ülestõus”. But it was just as funny hearing Siim try to say “Very Vulnerable”. It was a lot of fun.

It was a very long and interesting day.

We arrived in Estonia on the evening of the 13th. We were greeted by a large group of family and friends from the Viimsi Church. Arvo (Lea’s oldest brother) drove us out to Leppneeme to the Haagen’s house (Lea’s older sister Anne and her husband Kaido) where we will live for the next two and a half months.

The next morning we all slept in. When Siim Haagen (Anne’s son who is my age) arrived back from school in the afternoon, Lea, Matt, Siim and I all went bike riding through the countryside around Leppneeme. After our ride, Siim, Matt and I decided to go climb a large boulder protruding out of the harbor. But in order to get there we had to make our way through tall marsh-reeds. When we’d finished climbing, we went back to the house to play wiffle ball and to eat lunch. Siim and I barely beat Matt and Kadri by a score of 8-7. After beating them squarely, we decided to go to Andres’ house (Andre’s is Arvo’s son) to play American football. Matt and I took on Siim, Andres and Kadri. We were losing the entire time until we made a great defensive stop and followed it with an offensive charge for the victory. After football, we followed up with a game of soccer and were joined by the youth group from the Viimsi Church. One game led to three or four and soccer became the prominent activity of the night. After a little while, some went off to play volleyball but eventually made their way back to the soccer pitch. My team lost badly (7-2).

By the time all this was over, it was 10:30 and still bright outside. I was totally exhausted. It was a very fun and long day, full of many activities and I enjoyed being with the Viimsi youth.