Northern infatuations.

One aspect of life here that continually entrances and astounds me is the variety of cultures and lives in such a small space. I suppose that after a lengthy amount of time in any region, certain variations arise and replicate themselves, compounding over time into full-out insulated dialects and nationalities. To outsiders of the region, and even general new-comers, most of the differences remain unintelligible and often unmentioned. Languages also tend to capture their own locational references to other peoples, far separate from common English-implemented world speak. In eesti keel, for example, some of the more striking examples are Sweden (Rootsi), Lithuania (Leedu), Russian (Vene), and most prominently Estonia itself (Eesti). In the case of the country itself, it's interesting how small-people politics played at one time into a gradually increasing widespread recognition of the location. Finland (Soome, or Suomi in Finnish) shares this problem, even though it has been an independent state for some time now. Far from influential and lacking a continuous independent state, Saami people (Sámi, or Laplanders) are another culture recognized through the lens of history out of the spotlight. Given, many larger, continuous and active countries also carry a designated English title far from that in the chief language (Deutschland, also Saksamaa in eesti keel.. on a side note, check out the 'map of Germany' on the Wiki article of Germany and give me your opinion if the person posting is somewhat of an expansive nationalist missing the 1940's).

Further into the linguistic variations comes that of culture. Eesti is not just the Tallinn pealinn (capital) people.. there are many from the islands, the linguistically distant Setu people in the south (one southern region is commonly called Otepää, meaning Bear-head in Setu. If translated into Tallinn eesti keel, it would come out as Karupea), and the Võru (also a separate language), to name a few. Obviously the more locally you focus, the more tribal these differences appear and knowledge of them is kept to those in close proximity.

Something I want to explore further in Estonian language and the region in general is cultural and linguistic regard of other Fenno-Ügric peoples, especially the Sámi. I've oft wondered how I have a slightly darker skin tone when my roots (as I know them) are Irish, Swedish and Prussian. I also have mused over how northern, colder lands and climates feel comfortable and seem to pacify my disposition. Conversing just slightly with some people yesterday over this, I was pegged from my appearance and attitudes as probably being an Ingerlane (most likely misspelled, as Google is shunning me with it), which either connotes Karelians (people in the north-east area of Russia, formerly part of Suomi) or a group of people within that reindeer-herding mix.

To close abruptly and with a snap, reindeer meat is damn tasty.

Edasi, вперёд..