Intersting conversation with a 70 y.o. estonian/russian woman in Tartu.... [View all]
Estonia has a tortured recent past. They achieved independance from the russian empire in 1918, only to be occupied by the nazis during wwii and then annexed by the ussr in 1944. The ussr occupied them until 1991, complete with kgb rule.
Anyway, we were traveling and hired a local guide to show us around for a few hours. She was born in Estonia in 1954 and proudly declared she was russian; only estonian because she lived there.
She was interesting, but unapolegetic for anything the soviets did during the occupation. She said that history was rewritten to eliminate the positives the russians provided and exagerate the negatives.
At one point i asked her if she thought russia returning and taking over would be good or bad. She didn't give a direct answer but made it clear she would prefer it. Free health care, cheap food, and free education. Estonia already has an excellent health care and education system, all heavily subsidized (but not technically free, though americans would argue).
I was amazed how nostalgic for a repessive regime she was. Clearly she lead a priveliged life under communist rule. She traveled for school and held prestigious jobs in university and business. But.... i guess some blinders stay on.
She was also a conspiracy nut, talking about "chem trails", and about not believing in vaxinations or modern medicine.
Sigh. We are not alone.
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