Auf Wiedersehen

I have never been good at leaving. I have never been good at saying goodbye. And I had been dreading Thursday more than I have dreaded anything in a looong time.

Leaving the people and the place that has made the last few months so unbelievably great was something I didn’t know how to handle. A smart person once told me that one shouldn’t think too much, and I found that to be a good approach in this situation. So I decided that the only way was to not become my usual, nostalgic self, but focus on everything else than leaving. Besides, it helps that I am still a lousy planner – and had to stress around all day hoping to get everything done last minute before my plane left… My plan was that this would keep the waterworks from opening. And my plan (almost) worked.

I have to admit that I was a little bit unsure what I went to, and if things would work out, when I went to Tallinn in the very end of July. But all my scepticism was very unnecessary – this half year has been so great! I now have so many fantastic memories and I have met some great people.

And come to think of it, it doesn’t really matter that I am not good at leaving. Or that I’ve never been good at saying goodbye. Because, I’m not saying goodbye, but see you soon!

Spa testing

When I first arrived in Tallinn, I thought there is no rush to try to see everything, because I had plenty of time. And then time flew. And now just before leaving I remember everything that I should have done, and don't have time to do it. Happens every time!

But one thing I was determined not to miss was a real spa treatment. I couldn't live here for almost half a year and not test out the thing that makes hundreds of countrymen board buses and planes and head for Tallinn each year. Every time I have had visitors here and booked spa apppointments, something has gotten messed up with the booking and I have ended up with the "classical massage treatment". So a week ago I decided to book a real spa treatment that sounded just perfect for me - "energy enhancing treatment - the ideal cure against tiredness". It was going to last for two hours, and I was convinced that this was a real spa thing when I got a pair of those really sexy paper underwear thingys that I have heard so much about.. Then I was put in a capsule, before getting a body peeling. Then I got a body mask from seaweed that smelled absolutely terrible, was wrapped in a plastic something and left to rest for half an hour accompanied by a sound machine that played wave sounds - with the occational sound of what I am sure must have been a sheep.. Then there was massage, and my energy treatment was done.

It was very nice, I was very happy - and went home to take a nap.

Dentists and Leaving

Surprise!!! The lousy blogger is back :)

A lot of stuff has happened since I last wrote. Too much to go into detail. I have had visits from friends, and that has been great. I have been hanging out, having fun. Winter has come to Tallinn, winter has left Tallinn. I don't think there is much hope of a white Christmas here. Fortunately, I think it is at home. But Tallinn is doing it's best creating a Christmasy feeling with lots of lights, Christmas trees, and a market. And for the first time I have no exam to dread. But it's mixed feelings after all - because I am leaving Estonia in a week.

Today I went to the dentist. Traumatic experience. No, I am not afraid of dentists. But I am now afraid of my next visit to one. I had heard that going to the dentist is a lot cheaper here in Estonia. So I decided to take advantage of that. Equipped with a paper napkin around my neck and a pair of amazingly becoming goggles on my face, I was put in a chair ready for a check-up of my teeth. And all went well - I was even brave and said no when offered an "injection" to get through a particularly painful part of the treatment (yeah, brave - and afraid of needles...). Afterwards the dentist told me that everything looked well. I could still hear a "but" hanging in the air.. And yeah - "but, there are also bad news". Then he went on telling me that I need an operation to get my wisdom teeth out. He also told me some other gross details about the mentioned operation. Plus, that it will hurt for a week. Per tooth. So, my cheap visit to the dentist turned out not so cheap after all. Because now I have to get a second opinion in Norway. And maybe a third. And a forth. And a.. (I won't stop until I find one that says: nope, no need for an operation here!)

Tomorrow I'm having a kind of leaving party. And day-by-day, it is hitting me more and more that I'm going home soon. And though it will be good to get home, too, I am sad to leave. I don't think I'm ready to leave yet - time flies too fast. And what happens now? I really wish I knew...