Kadriorg Park: Finding Comfort in the Unfamiliar

There is nothing quite like the lead up to an adventure abroad. The trepidation, the excitement, the curiosity. As I prepared to spend ten months studying Russian in Estonia, these feelings of anticipation were only amplified. 

Crossing the threshold of a tourist and instead tiptoeing towards the status of a ‘local’ was a novel sensation. In staying longer than the average visitor, I had the liberty of discovering spots that sparked feelings of awe and reverence and being able to return to them. That wistful desire to go back and experience a place you discovered while away is easily satiable when it remains on your doorstep. As such, places that initially oozed with a new, unfamiliar, enticing charm instead became comforting, familiar havens after several visits.

While living in Estonia, a walk around Kadriorg Park became a ritualistic practice that traced my journey from incongruity to integration. This park, which was established by Peter the Great and named after his wife Catherine I, was one of the first spots I encountered. Looking back at photos, I can still feel the buzz of marvel as I admired the decadent floral displays, the towering trees, and the opulent palatial grounds. 

As rays of sunshine turned into a lingering chilliness, walks around the park put into sharp relief the fact that I was not just here for a short stay, but was in fact truly living in a foreign country. 

Over time, I often found myself returning to Kadriorg Park in search of serenity and contentment. The familiarity of the space made it the perfect place to unwind, renew and reflect. When visiting, I would frequently hear the hum of wonderstruck tourists voicing their admiration for the beauty of the park and its surroundings, taking in its splendour with fresh eyes. I would remember that I was once in their position, struck by its magnificence, but now its impressiveness lay in its inclusion in my routine. 

Reminiscing on my love for Kadriorg Park, it is clear that novelty fades, but there is beauty to be found in the familiar and the explored.