Biggest party in year!

The biggest celebration in Estonia is Jaanipäev (with ancient pagan name Leedopäev).  We celebrate it on 23rd of June. It is the longest day and shortest night in year and it does not go dark at all (actually is the shortest on 21st,  but from some reason we celebrate it 2 days later). What we do?
Usually we go somewhere to countryside, Tallinn is almost ghost town at that time. We make bonfire and barbecue, usually also sauna. We sing and some even dance but for sure we drink a lot of beer and have nice time with our friends.
There are also many ancient rituals involved. We jump over the bonfire - this gonna bring you good luck and wealth. We go to sauna - this brings you good health. Unmarried woman picks 7 different flowers, places them under her pillow to dream of her future husband. people taking a walk at midnight to find  mythical "fern in bloom" , which shall give power, prosperity, extraordinary abilities etc.
Usually I spend my Midsummer day on Muhu island with group of friends. This year I felt a bit lazy and decided to stay home and join one my friend and her friends close to Tallinn. I was cycling in the morning through the town and I bet 90% of people were gone, only some tourists walked around and few locals. 
Weather was absolutely great  - perfectly sunny all day and no rain which is unusual during that day. We made a bonfire, ate a lot and I also jumped over the fire. No seven flowers this year, no sauna.... Lets see what new year will bring me:)

Daylight at midnight

Jump..looks magical but yes, i`m there!

Our bonfire in the forest:

1.2.3... Estonian time starts

After spending 6 months in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro, I turned back home to Estonia. Just to re-fill my bank account (not that this something super easy in Estonia, no way!) and get ready for next travel. I have been blogging about my travels  few years already but so far only in Estonian. As some my non-Estonian speaking friends have tried to translate my travel blog with Google translate and this could turn out pretty funny or even ridiculous, I`ve decided to dedicate that blog to English speaking friends :-) and to other random readers who are interested in. So welcome! Will share here  my experiences in Estonia and the rest of the world too because my travels are not finished yet. Of course your comments and questions are welcome too.

About Estonia..
Not many people I´ve met around the world,  have been here or have plan to come here but if you would like to come, the best time is the end of May and June. I simply love that time because finally it is bearable weather (this year fantastically sunny), all the nature is celebrating that winter is finally over - trees and bushes are in blossoms, smell of lilacs spreads on streets and parks and days are way longer then nights. As soon as sun comes out you see how people shine and become much more open and happy. 20 hours of daylight can be really energizing but finally you just need to find eye mask to get a bit sleep. After midsummer day this magic is over and day gonna be step by step shorter and shorter.
If you walk around and notice that some people are investigating lilacs very close then it does not mean that they are some kind of  biologists or just weird. They looking for luck! We believe that if you will find a five petal flower then you shall make a wish, eat that flower and your wish comes true :) 

 Can you find a lucky flower?

About estonians...

Reserved and not so quick to make friends but if you do that then you have friend for the lifetime...or at least for very long time. During the summer people are happier (it is easier to be happier if you don`t freeze). Estonian man is not a dancer, Estonian woman usually is. I guess 90% people have blue or grey eyes, mostly blonds or at least fake blonds.
They claim that Estonians are big singers but honestly..Brazilians are bigger, Estonians are not singing usually by themselves in shops, in buses, on the streets..Only if we have organised songfests or parties with some friends who really can sing (people are very critical about singing, so I have to stay quiet unless I´m home alone).
People drink beer or wine (and sometimes also water) and our cuisine is pretty close to German cuisine.
Undemanding and positive thinkers, e.g. if there is during the summer 1 week nice and sunny and the rest rainy and you will ask from somebody in October about last summer weather, then they reply that it was fantastic and sunny and they truly believe that...