A Mexican’s Decade of Navigating Seasonal Mutations in Estonia

In the second episode of the series, Tiina and co-host Kaisa sat down with Sandra Valle, a Mexican expat who has called Estonia home for over fourteen years.

The conversation begins with a striking observation about the Estonian mutation as she describes it. Valle describes the locals as typically reserved, quiet, and strategic, particularly during the darker months. However, she notes a radical transformation when summer arrives. In the warmth of the sun and the sanctuary of the sauna, she describes a new form of Estonians who emerge smiling, laughing, and are open. Valle believes that the harsh winter forces a mindset of intense future planning and energy conservation. In Mexico, where the weather is consistently hospitable, life is customarily lived in the present. In Estonia, survival is tied to foresight, from packing potentially four different jackets for a simple day trip to ensuring the house is fortified against the cold. It’s an insightful observation.