Independance Day

Estonia celebrated its Independence yesterday in the cold and snow. Estonia celebrates this day because it marks its declaration of Independence from Russian in 1918. A war followed and they enjoyed the freedom until WWII, then it was Russian, German, Russian and finally absorbed into the Soviet Union.

Yesterday we took out the flag and hung it up outside and we celebrated. The big national parade was held in Narva, on the border with Russia, so we didn't make it out to that. We were able to enjoy some family time and watch Nora start to crawl. She is now moving several steps and then we usually cheer and she stops, I guess we have to practice with that one.

The president of Estonia addressed the nation and it was a speech that was dominated by the economy. Estonia is being hard hit by the economic downturn. The biggest problem is the lack of building. No one is building, no one is remodeling. The shops are very empty and offering big sales to get people in. The hamburger stand next to my house is usually over run with builders every morning getting their coffee, but the past few weeks its been totally empty as I walk to the bus stop. I have been amazed at how the lunch rush is now more of a trickle. Restaurants are now offering 50% off you total bill if you eat between 3-6PM. I am not sure how long this will continue but I hope at least through English Camp cause that helps with the budget a lot!!
The thing is Estonia is a small country and it doesn't have a lot of industry and opportunity itself. The recovery here will take a lot longer but I hope it picks up soon because people are starting to get scared. Of course, everyone here knows how to survive tough times, tougher times than most of us have ever seen or experienced. Most are looking to the US and hope to see things improve there and then flow over to Estonia.

Now, I have one additional question for my readers. Socialism is the new hot word in the US media and I understand some of it. One thing I struggle with is how often places are trashed and talked down about as being terrible socialistic places, such as Sweden and Norway. Having visited these places and spent time with their citizens, I don't see them as so bad and they enjoy a very good standard of living and are known as having the highest levels of happiness among Europeans. They also have very little crime and the same freedoms Americans enjoy. I am just wondering what people know about this and why places like this are negatively portrayed. This is not intended to be a discussion of socialism or politics. Okay, thanks!