The "how the hell is this possible" situation

So where to start...

I guess getting right to the point would make the most sense.

Picture this:
Sunday night- Monday morning. Around 1am. 
I'm sitting in my room, on my bed. 
Just finished working on the computer and ready to prepare myself for bed.
First step, second step, floor...
...without any tequila involved. 
My theory is that due to my worst blood circulation and sitting for a long time, my right foot had died. And me, without noticing it, just put my entire body weight on it. Poor thingy.
So there I was crying over the horrible ankle pain that kept me from standing up.
What to do next? Everyone's already asleep and yelling for help would not be an option.
Plan A: knocking on the wall hoping my new flatmate will hear it...Yeah, the wall was too far and too thick.
Plan B: calling Kathi with my phone...yeah, so my phone is still on my bed.
Plan C: stop crying, get up and help myself.

After failing with plan C, I decided to be brave, crawl on the floor and reach my phone. Plan B worked. Well...eventually, because apparently Kathi's alarm clock and call tone are the same, so she didn't understand what was going on and trying to continue sleeping. Thank god after three calls she started thinking what was actually going on. 
Long story short- she came, was amazed, brought ice, helped me to bed.
Monday I went to the hospital, spent around 1,5h there. Had a picture taken of my foot. It's fine. Just need some rest and loads of ice on it. Thank you, doctor "I don't yet know what's wrong with your foot, because I don't have X-ray eyes". was nice :) 
Thankfully I had my coordinator there to help with the language and just with keeping a positive attitude...

... and making a picture of me in my wheelchair.

I guess the wheelchair was the most embarrassing part of the whole story. The feeling of helplessness and everyone's compassion, prrr... that doesn't suit me. On one hand I feel blessed to have so many kind and caring people who all offer their help in every way, yet the pity-party won't make me stronger. Still many thanks to all for good wishes and deeds. I am forever grateful.

The accident itself happened on the worst time ever. Since we have our mid-term meeting next week from Monday to Friday, me and some volunteers were planning to travel this and the next weekend. The trip will take us couple of hours and also changing couple of trains. And I will be doing that on my crutches. So basically, stay hard or stay home... I will pursue our idea and visit the lovely people we had in mind. I wish to remain unstoppable. 

And well.. there MUST be a reason why something like this happened. I was such an innocent situation. Since I believe that all in this world has a meaning, I'm curious to figure out why THIS, why NOW and why ME.

Until coming up with an eye-opening cause, I will keep analyzing and looking for signs. As I often do :) 

Varajane jõulumarket

6th December Dresden

It was the 6th of December when I woke up 4.15 in the morning to catch the bus at 5.00 Who would have guessed that the morning would start with a huge snow storm? I sure didn't. Therefore many early people could witness a wondering girl in the bus station, since I just couldn't identify which bus was meant for me. So there I was running from one end of the station to the other, trying to figure out where to go. I already started to panic and was calling- texting- calling- texting my partner for the day. No reply, perfect. I was almost giving up hope, when I saw one bus leaving the station and then stopping. The driver opened his window. "Drážďany?" "eee...aa...to Dresden?" "Ano, Drážďany." Huh, final hesitation and I was on the bus, thanking people for stopping. Almost missed it, but I guess things always go as they are meant to.

Arriving to windy and super cold Dresden was not exactly what I was imagining. After a wonderful tour together with a Czech guide without anyone translating anything, we were free to exploring the town. And so we did. First thing was a stop at the 1/2m Bratwurst stand. It was okay, nothing too special in my opinion. I guess all the excitement came from the length, which in the end was not so impressive as I first thought. It took me of course some time to finish it, but after that we started our own tour on the world known Christmas market. After some time in the cold wind we decided to spend some time in one big shopping mall. Felt pretty good. 

Anyway we ended up trying different lush sweets and also Glühbier, which is not as popular as Glühwein. It had quite an interesting taste, at least something different. 
Outfacing the strong wind and flying chairs we decided to explore not only the old town, but also the newer part of it. Due to the big market it was dead. No people, no open stands on the other side of the bridge. Then again the view to the big buildings was incredible. And who knows me, knows how much I enjoy a great piece of architecture. 

After being a little disappointed in the new town we returned to the old town and found a marvelous little medieval market with all its glory. How fascinating it was! So many different smells, people, costumes, even some war weapons were displayed.

All the smaller markets which combined one bigger one were adorable. The stands were decorated with loads of lights and fairytale characters. There was music and the scent of hot spicy wine in the air. People were celebrating, drinking, eating, dancing around their little tables. What joy! The experience gave me inspiration to visit different Christmas markets around Estonia or maybe also in Latvia next year. Such good memories I have from Dresden :)

talking to people on the medieval market

hello shopping mall and embarrassing Vojta.

 

Have I gone crazy?

Maybe, just maybe.

Actually I'm sitting in my kitchen, in Nachod. Waiting. Already been waiting since 9 o'clock in the morning. Naturally I had loads of stuff to do, but now, I'm hoping that within this hour my sweetest girls will arrive. I guess it's the excitement that keeps me awake. Or maybe it's the chocolate.. either way, I'm waiting. 

And just to use the time somehow, I'm doing what I promised to do long time ago- improve my blog writing habits. So far so good. Though I'm pretty sure after this night of writing there will be another gap, but guys.. life's full of adventures! I can not be not excited all the time. There's something always something new, incredible that needs to be discovered. The more you see, then less you know.

While being in Berlin and also in Harz mountains I experienced how small I actually am in this big-big world. I've never felt like this before. Feeling totally comfortable, yet out of order. I guess the knowing of how insignificant you are for all those people living there, makes you appreciate the ones who really matter.

Yes, so deep thoughts on this late hour. I'm so anxious to finally see my darlings. Unbelievable!

 

Beginning of holidays

20.-28.12.13 Germany- a trip to remember

20th December: 12.00 Nachod- Prague, 15.30 Prague- Berlin- the arriving

Arriving to Berlin with shaking has because I could not believe that I finally was there. Finally! Oh, and when I saw Kamil waiting for us with his cheerful smile and a Berliner Kindl, I was sure it will be one interesting weekend.

trying to blend in with the beer

kebab, yamm

21st December: sightseeing to the max

The highlight was the cool yellow Hop on- Hop off bus that took us through the most important sights in Berlin.
- Brandenburger Tor (gates)
- Berliner Dom (cathedral)
- Checkpoint Charlie
- Sony center 
- Bundeswaschmaschine (federal laundry machine)
- Unter den Linden
- Holocaust Mahnmal
- Reichstagsgebäude (The Reichstag building)
- Hauptbahnhof (..which was an amazingly huge place with it's own story, wow)
- etc

And we ended the evening, started the new day with exploring the night life in Berlin. Worth the visit!

22nd December: the lazy morning

Yes, but then again Sundays are meant to be lazy. In the afternoon we went for some more sightseeing and visited Alena at her working place. She's a supervisor in one adorable cafe in the East part of Berlin. The place was full of families, couples, soon to be couples and us. Coffee and chocolate cake for breakfast at 5pm tasted wonderful. After Alena finished working we head to the amazing East Side Gallery. The 1,3km long international memorial is a piece of art. I almost stopped by every drawing to admire the work.
def my favorite <- open this to see some greatness.

23rd December: 12.00 Berlin- Braunschweig- departure

 Bye-bye Berlin! It was awesome, but it's time to explore other treasures that Germany has to offer.

Beginning of holidays, vol 2

24th December: Braunschweig- Ströbeck

Christmas in Schachdorf Ströbeck. Getting to know the hosting family. Small preparations for cooking, decorating the Christmas tree.

Discovering Ströbecks most important sights...
..while walking the dog and the horse. Interesting.

Also my first experience with going to the church during Christmas. Of course, we were late so entering was a little awkward + there was no space downstairs. No worries, we'll just sit upstairs.. where you all can see us slinking to our places. Nice try with not drawing any attention. Despite the smooth entrance and fact we had no song sheets (not that I could read german anyway) the ceremony was pretty. Not understanding left me with so many thoughts about life, love, family, hope, faith, thankfulness etc. Special time.

After lighting the candles on the precious Christmas tree we enjoyed the excellent meal. This year it was way different from the one I'm used to, but I'm up for new experiences. Deer meat, meatloaf, red cabbage, croquettes, mushroom sauce, fresh salad, some kind of potato ball thingies and peaces/pears with jam. Wow, so yummy! Thank you for a wonderful evening. I really appreciate the effort, kindness, warmth and of course gifts. Unbelievable how nice it was :)

25th December: sauna, my looove

Call to home + to brother. Quality conversation right there.
 
Walking "the round" around the village and enjoying the incredible landscape, which charmed me. Oh, how beautiful and calm, yet exciting it was..
..and evening in pub + mystic tour in Halberstadt during night.

26th December:

Harz mountains and the lift ride. Oh my god! The weather was awful, yet I'm thankful for it, since if I were clear I maybe wouldn't have the guts to walk there. Amazing, just amazing place! 
WHOAA
open this!!
Wernigerode- the cutest fairytale village with a beautiful main square and town hall. With all the christmas lights I finally got the holiday spirit that I was searching for.
The main square

And we also visited a beautiful dam, but I cant remember the name of the place. Let it stay as a secret, special place.

27th December: Youth camp meeting



28th December: "you're like a pilgrim"

8.40 ~19.00
Ströbeck- Halberstadt- by car
Halberstadt-Halle train 
Halle- Leipzig- train 
Leipzig- Dresden- train 
Dresden- Praha 8- car
Praha 8- Florenc- bus
Florenc- Nachod- bus 

It was sad to leave, yet the time spent there was incredible. So I could come home with only the best memories. Thank you all for the jolly Christmas you gave me. My first Christmas away from home- it could not have been better. I am extremely grateful.

Forever yours,
xo!

Svatý Mikuláš, anděl a čerti

I'm guessing for most of my friends the title is as confusing as it was for me. To be very honest, still is. All though I did the "celebration ritual" couple of times.. I'm still not sure what happened. I assume trying to explain this in Estonian would not help me as well, since the topic just makes no sense for me. So if any Czech people read this- I'm sorry in advance. I might have got the whole thing wrong.

So anyhoo, there's this Saint Nicolas...who is accompanied by an angel and some devils. Yes. And then .. they move around together and visit kids. I guess the devils scare kids by saying that if they don't behave correctly, they would be taken back to hell. Judging from the kids faces, they really believe that story. Then again parents at the same time a both nervous, whether their kid will cry, and excited because maybe, just maybe their dearest will start be a nice person for some time. Quite interesting to observe that happening. If the kids knew that the parents gave their name to SAINT Nicolas, oh me-oh my.

Basically if you want to postpone going to peklo (hell) you have to promise to be nice (one version was that you have to sing, but i prefer the being nice one). Then you have to jump over the devils broom and voilaa, done. Until next time.

Oh, and the angel gives you treats...

Yeah, to be fair I'm kind of lost on that topic. Cheers!

the army of angels

My work on that event was telling the moms that they should decorate the apples with cloves, toothpicks filled with raisins and small pieces of oranges. I'm proud of my work.

stiilinäide

15 minutes of Estonia

In the first post I mentioned something about my mini project. Well on the 5th of November it started and is still running. Every Tuesday with the 4-5th grade and Wednesday 1 and 2-3rd grades.

So far it's going nice and the kids look like they are interested in getting information about the land far-far away. They're especially excited when they can be involved and have some practical assignment.

The first project minutes for dedicated to a general introduction. From there on the mini lessons have turned to more specific topic. With the older ones we discovered the map of Europe and the countries the connect Czech Republic with Estonia. I'm glad that the assistant of the blind boy was such a kind person to call the boys mother for her to bring me some special paper and tools. Therefore I was able to make him a so called blind-map, so that he was also a part of the class. It was cool. :) Younger ones were exploring a puzzle i brought. It has the map of Estonia with some important landmarks and animals around it. Now they can put it together when ever they feel like it.. when the teacher approves of course.

We also made some flags. Older ones made bigger, younger ones smaller flags.

The next topic was nature and animals. Who wouldn't be excited about the many lynxes, wolves and bears we have. For the older ones I made a "fill in the caps to find the missing animal" task and younger ones got two drawings that they could color. They're simply adorable. I'm so glad to be in such a lovable environment.

Since the beginning of December was already a little crazy I couldn't be there for one week. For that I prepared an Estonian fairytale in Estonian- English- Czech, that the teachers read to the pupils. All of them also got a drawing, that I had to made for another event in Decko. Lucky me, that I was able to connect these two. About the drawing.. still my greatest thanks go out to Alex, my flatmate who's breathtaking drawing helped me finish this .. thing. It was a made for a kids coloring book, so no hate on my amazing drawing skills.

I personally love the ninja in the carriage

The last 15 minutes of Estonia for this year was about out Christmas traditions. As a surprise to me and the kids turns out that Ježíšek (baby jesus) doesn't bring presents in every home. Who would have guessed!