I’m Marika, a 28-year-old American living in Tallinn, Estonia with my Finnish fiance. I grew up in Maryland in an Estonian family, so Estonian language and culture has always been a part of my life. Despite that, I did still suffer some culture shock when I came to study in Estonia for a year after completing my English degree! Adapting to a new place is always hard, even if it’s a place you think you know pretty well.
Now I’ve lived in Tallinn for four years. I love my work as a translator since it unites so many things I’ve always been passionate about– writing, language use, and grammar! My strongest languages are Estonian and English but I can get by in Finnish and Italian and have started learning French. Another passion of mine is food– eating it, preparing it, learning about food cultures, and I even enjoy washing the dishes in the aftermath of a great meal or elaborate baking project 
. This blog documents what’s going on in my expat kitchen and how it is to live (and eat) in a culture that can, at times, feel both familiar and foreign to me.
Me enjoying a Las Vegas buffet, August 2010.
Hello! I randomly stumbled upon your blog. I’m not Estonian, but I am a little obsessed with the country:) I’ve been able to travel there three times in the last 4 years and lived in Tallinn for three months during the summer of 2007. I actually moved back to California a month before you moved there. What exactly are doing in Tallinn? I would love to go back so bad! I’m just waiting for an opportunity to come back. I lived in Pääskula and worked at the Nõmme Baptist Church, I’m not sure if you’re familiar with it. I read your blog on Kohuke, and remember my first experience with kohupiim and that wonderful snack. It took me a while to warm up to it, but now I so wish it was available in America! Have you been to Kompressor in Old Town? That was one of my favorite places to eat! Anyways, hope you’re having an awesome week in Estonia!
-Ashley
Hi Ashley, welcome! It was great to read your comments. I always love to hear stories about people who have no inherent ties to Estonia but are still drawn to the country.
I believe I met somebody else who lived in Pääsküla and worked at that church, but she was here last summer. I work at a government institution translating (Estonian to English) and editing English-language materials. I was an English major in college, so it’s a good job for me.
Let me know when you make it back to Estonia!
I love Kompressor! I haven’t been there in ages… maybe I can convince my boyfriend to go this weekend.
G’day, Marika, I just discovered your blog, via Pille’s blog. If you happen to be visiting Tartu, let me know. I’ve been here since 2004, & I like it here, but I really miss the Aussie sunshine during the winter months.
Thanks for visiting! I used to visit Tartu about once a month, but now I haven’t been there in months. Hopefully we’ll go again soon!
Heya, i kinda stumbled over this blog when i googled “väliseestlane”
My friend ” accused” me of being just that. I was born and raised in Estonia but have always had a bug to go and see other places i finally left (for good maybe) about 3 years ago. Yet i always find it fascinating what details people pick up if they were not from this country, if you know what i mean. Anyway keep up the good work and update your blog more often if you get the chance.
Best,
Sabina
Hi Sabina, tere tulemast! I promise I will try to post more regularly this year. I agree that it’s so interesting to see your own home through someone else’s eyes. I had that same feeling when I took J to America for the first time.
Hi
I have also just found your blog and have really enjoyed reading your posts. I am a Brit living in Estonia with my Estonian wife and it’s great to hear about other peoples experiences here. Estonia is such a great place to be, the people are awesome and Tallinn has got to be one of my favorite Cities, just stunning.
Looking forward to reading more.
All the best.
Simon
Hi Simon, so glad you enjoy the blog! I’m really going to try to post more regularly this year. I also love hearing the stories of other expats in Tallinn. I feel like my move here was pretty self-explanatory, since I have Estonian roots, but I’m always fascinated by people who originally didn’t know anything about Estonia end up coming here and loving it!
Hey, great to find a blog about Estonian food
thanks for stopping by mine!
Thanks for your comment- I wish I had known about your blog before I went to Estonia! Can’t wait to read more. Sounds like a fascinating life you have.
Hi Marika, and thank you for your comment on my blog! I love to learn about other people’s cultural traditions, so I’m happy that I’ve found your blog now. So exciting! I’m pleased to meet you!
Great blog- looking forward to reading it! Love hearing about expats in all countries (especially if they are American) So interesting to learn about a place through a newcomers eyes. Even if you have been somewhere for years, you are always learning and making adjustments and comparisons.
Thanks! I know I don’t post that much, but I hope you still drop by from time to time. I’ll be spending some time reading your lovely blog as well!