My Patriotic Notes and Sketches about Estonia

Greip - Rain Spell

2011-08-30T14:11:00.000-07:00

Greip - Vihma Loits

Estonian folkmusic.

Pain on the Periphery by The Economist

2011-08-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

I like this interactive map, because it gives a good overview what's happening in European countries.

Summer evening in Viru Square, Tallinn, Estonia

2011-07-27T12:57:00.001-07:00

Summer evening in Viru Square, Tallinn, Estonia, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Pädaste spa, Muhu Island, Estonia

2011-07-23T10:38:00.001-07:00

Pädaste spa, Muhu Island, Estonia, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

We were sitting and waiting for our lunch, when some local celebrities came on a helicopter, drunk glass of juice and left the same way.

Pädaste spa, Muhu Island, Estonia

2011-07-21T14:43:00.001-07:00

Pädaste spa, Muhu Island, Estonia, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Pädaste mõis ja spa

2011-07-17T11:57:00.001-07:00

Pädaste mõis ja spa, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Family Portrait

2011-07-16T11:24:00.001-07:00

Family Portrait, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Afraid of me?!

2011-07-16T11:23:00.001-07:00

Afraid of me, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Palmse manor gardens

2011-07-15T01:21:00.001-07:00

Palmse manor gardens, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Vihula Spa, Estonia

2011-07-15T01:20:00.001-07:00

Vihula Spa, Estonia, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Lihula Horizons, Estonia

2011-07-12T01:47:00.001-07:00

Lihula Horizons, Estonia, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

The battle grounds of Lihula again.
Battle of Lihula:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Lihula

lihulamedieval.info/?lang=en The second Lihula Medieval Festival will take place 19th-21st August 2011.
Same day as (8th of August) as Russia-Georgia war started in 2008 but about 800 years earlier.
Estonians managed to beat Swedes out of their country.

Muhumaa and Saaremaa (do not drink before swimming)

2011-07-10T09:49:00.001-07:00

Muhumaa and Saaremaa (do not drink before swimming), a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Lihula Castle ruins

2011-07-09T11:35:00.001-07:00

Lihula Castle ruins, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

View from Lihula Castle, Lihula battle grounds

2011-07-07T02:20:00.001-07:00

View from Lihula Castle, Lihula battle grounds, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Läänemaa, Estonia
On 8 August 1220, Swedish army was defeated in battle here by Estonians.

Quiet evening in Lihula

2011-07-06T13:58:00.001-07:00

Quiet evening in Lihula, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Tuhala

2011-05-26T03:23:00.001-07:00

Tuhala, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Harjumaa, Estonia

Witch's well

2011-05-26T03:19:00.001-07:00

Witch's well, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Tuhala, Harjumaa, Estonia,

Estonia's Eurovision entry this year

2011-05-04T18:13:00.000-07:00

quite good...

Getter Jaani and Rockefeller Street.

Typical Estonian black bread with sprat and egg, and a cheesecake

2011-04-23T11:35:00.001-07:00

Typical Estonian black bread with sprat and egg, and a cheesecake, a photo by Triin Q on Flickr.

Cheesecake is my favourite Estonian food. There are many many different version of cheesecake.

Christmas in Haapsalu and road to Tallinn

2011-01-13T03:29:00.000-08:00

Daily Mail about Estonia

2010-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

Where instead of 'NOW' should be 'has always been.'

I liked some comments by the English who protected Estonia:

Estonia just didn't beat us in the league tables, they thrashed us!

My sons partner is Estonian and she is no dumb blonde, she speaks three languages and is introducing my grandson to both English and Estonian, my betting is he'll be bilingual by the time he starts primary school.

And just as a history lesson, before we start rubbishing the Estonians as being some form of eastern European backwater. They were responsible for the initial ground breaking work of the Enigma machine that the British claim as being their work.

Why the snide comparison with Estonia? Ever been there? It might be a small country but it's a bit like a roaring mouse. They have invested an awful lot in their education system, having copied (it seems to me) a lot of good ideas from their cousins to the north. They weathered a financial storm a couple of years ago by continuing their reforms and tightening their belts. They have a couple of excellent universities (remember, only 1.3 million people in Estonia). And when you go there, as I often do, the young speak English very well.

They are not to be looked down at. This is a country which has pulled itself up by the bootstraps. Our problem is that we don't care, education is a political football, teachers' unions, local authorities and governments promote wasteful practices aided and abetted by staggeringly incompetent and incapable governors.

British snobbery, laziness and complacency is at the heart of the decline in our education standards.

What do you mean "is NOW inferior to Estonia's"? Was it ever superior? Not in 2006 study (1st time Estonian data was present) it wasn't. So could you kindly correct the headline please! If you absolutely insist on having Estonia in there it should read "... is still inferior to Estonia's".

Have to remember that Daily Mail is not a quality newspaper, it can afford to get facts wrong.

Travesty of our 'stagnating' schools: In a damning indictment of Labour, OECD condemns British education which is now inferior to Estonia's

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1336410/OECD-condemns-British-education-inferior-Estonias.html#ixzz17XOwHCHh

Estonian stars singing witch's well incantation

2010-11-16T16:15:00.000-08:00

All those who consider Tuhala Witch's Well (Nõiakaev) a primeval and unique natural phenomenon worthy of preservation are welcome to help this cause!

Facebook page.

Music and words: Urmas Sisask.

The words are very good, it inspired me to write some poetry my own.

They are singing about this witch's well.

Photo from here.

Why "Lie back, sweetheart, and think of Estonia" became suddenly more famous than "lie back and think of england"

2010-08-31T15:35:00.000-07:00

It's a popular quote from vampire series True Blood.
Also, my little study is still going on :)
Google "Lie back, sweetheart, and think of Estonia" and you'll find 20 000 results.
Google "Lie back and think of England" and you'll find 8000 results.

I have read Americans use "Lie back, sweetheart, and think of Estonia" in their bedrooms now.
But funny thing is, the woman Yvetta in True Blood is actually Russian, and Russians usually are annoyed by Estonia. They don't want to think of Estonia. It's like saying to English person to think of Ireland, or even better, to think of Poland.

1974 Lada 1300

2010-08-25T20:13:00.001-07:00

1974 in Tallinn

Lada 1300
Originally uploaded by Anjei Pizcus

English Russia » The Shaman Against Estonia

2010-04-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is funny!!
And that dark clouds immediately appeared on skies!!!!

http://englishrussia.com/index.php/2007/05/04/the-shaman-against-estonia/

Hospital breakfast in Tallinn

2010-03-05T17:52:00.001-08:00

Hospital breakfast in Tallinn
Originally uploaded by Triin Q

Offered by Haigekassa (something like NHS in UK).
Very soviet.
So historical, that's why I like it.
Actually, when I was 9 and in a soviet children's hospital, the food was better than this.

Mysterious place

2010-03-03T15:03:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by Triin Q

Parking problems

2010-02-19T14:12:00.000-08:00

This time of the year.

No Eurostar

2010-02-19T14:09:00.000-08:00

But Estonian Railways.

Swedish banks and Estonia, part 3

2010-02-09T16:31:00.000-08:00

I enjoy reading Estonian news more, because they talk about Swedish Banks and their evilness now, and every day.

Specially readers comments are better and better in understanding their rights.

Banks: no to American way in handling debt

Pjotr Sedin claims 1.5 bln from SEB

Swedbank Eesti: 2009 loss at 1.1 billion kroons

Adik Levin: it's a daylight robbery

During the last 5 years big Swedish banks have pocketed a profit of 13,73 billion Estonian Kroons in Estonia.

Swedbank
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
-1,14 2,82 3,52 2,75 1,94

SEB
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
-1,53 0,57 2 1,38 0,92

Sampo
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
-2 0,46 0,48 0,33 0,17

Nordea
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
0,02 0,36 0,31 0,21 0,17

Source:
http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/487770

Swedish banks and Estonia, part 2

2010-01-28T15:07:00.000-08:00

Article I liked in BBN. Actually, I loved it!

How Sweden sent Estonian economy into freefall

"Whether you like it or not, Swedbank and SEB act in Estonia as a central bank. It means that if these institutions for one reason or another decide to change their terms, it will have an effect on short-term money supply in Estonia and Estonia's GDP."

At last someone says something reasonable. I wouldn't blame so much Sweden, but Swedish Banks are extremely annoying. Now SEB is paying huge bonuses in Sweden. All I can personally do is just leave the bank when my mortgage is not fixed anymore. I'm bored of paying for their games.

Tallinn postcard

2010-01-22T19:50:00.001-08:00

I'm getting more and more patriotic every day.

Tallinn postcard
Originally uploaded by Triin Q

Welcome to Estonia

2010-01-20T11:17:00.000-08:00

This post is my answer to -

http://www.okia.ee/blog/2010/01/welcome-to-estonia/#comments

This is a try to post as many nice photos as possible marked with "Welcome to Estonia". I don't quite understand the meaning of this campaign but I always like posting nice photos of Estonia.

www.visitestonia.com

Starry-eyed by Triin Kann

2010-01-20T05:33:00.000-08:00

I found a poem by someone who has the same first name as I do. I really liked the words and the meaning of this poem.

Starry-eyed

Underneath the cuts and bruises
Is a girl with a broken smile
Playing a game she always loses

Feeling better for just a little while

Behind the mask of sweetness
Is a girl who's deceitful
Sitting in her own loneliness
With a mind so colorful

If you ask she says she's fine
But when you turn your back
The little girl starts to cry

Her tears are like bright diamonds
Her eyes look like two almonds

Her reminds you of fields of gold
Inside she's locked, her heart is cold

There are scars on her back
Starry-eyed beauty thinks they've healed

But they won't give her any slack
She's been lit up and let down

Others look right through her
She has been everybody's clown

And she keeps on getting hurt
They took her, then forsake her

She was never good enough for them
For her everything's a big blur
In reality she's too good for them

If you look you'll never find her here
She knows exactly where to hide
But her presence you can always feel

Her pale white skin looks like porcelain
Her voice is like crystal clear water that runs
Lips are cracker, like ground waiting for rain

Her soul is frozen, only feeling left is pain
Once she was happy and felt high
She whispers something to herself in the night
And then again away she glides

http://poemhunter.com/triin-kann/poems/

Birgit Õigemeel ja Riho Sibul - Ma Sind Ei Tea

2010-01-18T15:39:00.000-08:00

Birgit Õigemeel is unbelievably good in this. I don't particularly like the song, but the singers are both brilliant.
My favourite moment is around 3:30 - because of her amazing voice.

Duty Free Cigarette Allowances Increase

2010-01-05T04:44:00.000-08:00

That's what we have been waiting for :)

I don't smoke but you can get your plane ticket money back taking the cigarettes from Estonia to UK. Good news for Estonians in UK!

What about Latvia? Why don't they mention Latvia?

With regard to excise duty on tobacco products, the remaining quantitative restrictions on personal imports of cigarettes from Bulgaria, Romania. Lithuania and Estonia (and smoking tobacco from Estonia) have now been lifted. This means that since 1 January 2010 private individuals travelling from these Member States can now bring back unlimited amounts of these goods for own use, thereby enjoying the same benefits as those travelling back from other Member States.

Duty Free Goods Allowances Increases In EU

This is an updated HM Revenue & Customs Notice, which reflects the changes to the customs allowances for travellers entering the UK which came in to force on 1 January 2010.

2009 best film in Estonia, The Temptation of St. Tony

2010-01-04T01:03:00.001-08:00

The Temptation of St. Tony
I haven't seen the film, but I liked the song in this trailer.

Tony, a middle-aged, midlevel manager, leads a quiet life. But one day, he starts to question the value of being good. In a series of bizarre encounters in which he fires his employees, witnesses his wifes infidelity, and meets a soon-to-be kidnapped girl (never mind the severed hands and mystery dog), Tony gradually becomes unhinged from reality.

Hedvig Hanson

2010-01-03T02:42:00.000-08:00

Kes sind on näinud (L.Junson/A.Alliksaar) by beautiful Hedvig Hanson.
I found a new favourite song today (I have many, many of them).
Have to be listened more than once!

album "Kohtumistund."

http://www.last.fm/music/Hedvig+Hanson

Hedvig's homepage.

The Soviet Story

2009-12-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

I'm saving a piece of Estonian history here! That's how we used to live, didn't we? My family lived differently, but visiting some of my friends back then, this is what I remember!

And the car in front of the house is appropriate to the story!

Photos are from some property page.

House built in 1985 and the interior hasn't been changed since then (I believe so). It's in sale now, extremely expensive, what are they thinking! 64,9 m² with 630 000 EEK in Jõhvi, South-Estonia. It's 35 444,44 GBP or 56 154,24 USD.

My post about Tallinn, Mustamäe flat.

http://www.triin.info/2009/06/amazing-flat.html

My post about Estonian manor houses.
http://www.triin.info/2009/08/estonian-manor-houses.html

Swedish banks and Estonia

2009-12-28T04:10:00.000-08:00

Another article I found about this, I will collect all of them. Probably.
500 is a big number for little Estonia.
SEB, Swedbank have foreclosed 500 homes this year
in BBN.

I'm so against these banks in Estonia. They are responsible (don't like that word) for the property crisis and no one fights or protests against them. It's like Estonia is a part of Swedish empire and doesn't mind. Some Estonians and Estonian Government act like slaves when it comes to Swedish banks. Estonians suffer quietly like in Soviet times. Making faces that everything is ok. You can read something in newspapers about twice a year, but that's all.

I earn more than I ever used to but I'm in pain because the bank has let me down. That means, I can't sell, I can't rent out. All the prices are down because of the influence banks have on the property market. They stopped giving loans and no one can buy anymore.

And I can't leave it also. Can't change the bank because I don't think any other bank would take me with negative equity.

I remember very clearly Swedish Banks accusing Baltic countries of their 2009 losses.
The problem with Estonia is that people didn't save in Swedish banks, but they took loans from there to buy cars and houses. Savings and loans should have been in balance and that's bank's duty to control, one bank shouldn't give more than it has! Estonians don't have a long experience with mortgages, this is the first property crisis in history. For example UK has it's 1991 property crisis to learn from.

In Latvia they try a bit harder than in Estonia, probably because Latvians have suffered much more:
http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2009/12/28/Latvia_issues_warning_to_Swedish_banks
Mr Dombrovskis said the banks must share responsibility after they helped sow the seeds of crisis by lending “irresponsibly”.
“Of course you can say that Latvians were borrowing irresponsibly but to borrow irresponsibly you need someone to lend irresponsibly.”

My other post about Swedish banks and the documentary about them:
http://vodkamonth.blogspot.com/2009/10/bank-trap.html

Vana vaksal - Old Station

2009-12-25T19:23:00.000-08:00

Another heartbreaking song if you happen to understand Estonian. It's about an old train station. I guess if it was more modern song it would be about an airport.

Tallinn

2009-12-22T20:26:00.000-08:00

Jana Viital ja Ott Lepland, On läinud aastad

2009-12-18T19:52:00.000-08:00

Famous Ott I have heard so much about. He has won a competition for Estonian superstar.

A competition similar to UK X Factor or USA Pop Idol.

You know you have been too long to Estonia when ...

2009-12-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

.... if the sun comes out you stare from the window for a couple of minutes.

Popidiot - Hanging On Friday

2009-12-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

I liked the visual editing of this video.

Popidiot
Album: Antenna of Love
Seksound, 2009

In English (spot an Estonian accent?).

In Estonian.

Simpsons in an old Estonian way

2009-12-15T07:54:00.001-08:00

This Estonian advertisement was suddenly very popular in web around the world. Parody of parody. Even Americans like it. Huffington Post said: "Well done, Estonia, well done."

I love and miss this side of Estonian culture.

or
American way:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh92a_simpsons-sky-live-action-intro

simpsons sky live action intro
Uploaded by howardmarks.

Pay for your Christmas tree by mobile phone

2009-12-15T06:40:00.000-08:00

I like this idea.
But I have my Christmas tree on my terrace. Should I drag it in. And drag it out after the Christmas. Why didn't I realize it before!

It was just a thought, doesn't mean I'm gonna do it.

Estonians can now bring their Christmas tree from state forest and pay for it by mobile phone or online bank.

This is provided by state-owned Forest Management Centre which lets people to choose a tree from the forests managed by them, take it down and pay for it in advance by an online bank or if preferred, in the woods by mobile phone.

Prices:
- trees shorter than 1 metre cost 50 kroons (about 3 pounds)
- trees from 1 up to 2 metres cost 150 kroons
- trees from 2 up to 3 metres cost 200 kroons

After the mobile payment transaction, you will receive a text message confirming the payment. It will be invoiced in the next bill.

Hilarious!

In Estonian:
http://yritused.rmk.ee/omal-kael-metsa

Next day update:
I dragged my snowy palm trees in and left the Christmas tree out. Picture taken on a sunny October day.

Today is the only day of the year when it snows in London.

The New York Times about fight around EURO

2009-12-14T05:24:00.000-08:00

Euro, euro, euro.... what if they would stop talking about it? What would they talk about then?

Estonia cleverly uses money instead of tanks to fight off Russia. Anything but violence - songs, EU, NATO, Finland, Afganistan - what else? Until it works!

I guess the only reason Estonians love EU so much is the fear of Russia.

I copied the bits I liked more, rest of the article is here:

The Case for Letting Estonia Into the Euro Zone

The decision, which is likely to be made in June, will also send a powerful political signal about a country that used to be part of the Soviet Union, at a time when many East Europeans are worried about Russian muscle-flexing.

“What’s the hurry? Let them wait a bit longer till their economies have really converged with ours,” said a senior West European central banker, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. He was not referring specifically to Estonia.

...But given the determination of the European authorities to avoid creating any precedent for larger newcomers, Estonia is likely to join on its own.

Article by Paul Taylor.

You know you are from Estonia when...

2009-12-12T10:25:00.000-08:00

...you feel butterflies in your belly when you hear Tõnis Mägi's song "Koit".

You know you've been in Estonia too long when:

2009-12-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

...your bad mood becomes your good mood and ...

...things are not "great" or "amazing" anymore; they're just "normal".

*
Justin, 35, is looking to adopt a country to represent for this year's competition in Norway and he had hoped to win over the Estonian people with an appearance on a TV breakfast show.

He said: "I sang Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree and they introduced me as 'Justin Le Collins, British Optimist', not 'Euro Hopeful'."

He went on: "That's me in a nutshell, they've nailed me, that's what I am, I'm a British optimist."

Justin Lee Collins' Eurovision bid

you are an Estonian and

2009-12-04T01:56:00.000-08:00

... you grin very mysteriously when people ask about your national food.

... you eat too many dairy products.

You are an Estonian when...

2009-12-03T08:19:00.000-08:00

Swimming in +18C water is a perfectly normal summer activity for you.

If you are an Estonian...

2009-11-28T08:17:00.000-08:00

then,
you are immediately suspicious when ....

somebody starts talking to you in the street.
.

You rummage through your plastic bag collection (Prisma and Rimi mostly) to see which ones you should keep to take to the store and which can be sacrificed to garbage.

Estonian and coffee

2009-11-27T05:06:00.000-08:00

Apparently you have been to Estonia for too long when...

..... your coffee consumption exceeds 6 cups a day and coffee is too weak if there is less than 5 scoops per pot. You drink less water than before.

hm! :) trye?

Metsatöll - Oma laulu ei leia ma Üles (with subtitles)

2009-11-15T16:21:00.000-08:00

I haven't found my song
traditional estonian song written by
Valter Ojakäär, estonian composer and publicist.
Folk metal arrangement by Metsatöll

Aina kordan sinu nime

2009-11-15T16:16:00.000-08:00

Something I’d liked to hear in the funeral. Just a very sad song.

Europe's 20 best Christmas markets 2009 -Times Online

2009-11-11T07:58:00.000-08:00

Photo from The Times.

Tallinn was chosen as the first one.
Europe's 20 best Christmas markets 2009 -Times Online.

More about Tallinn market:

Christmas Market to be held in Town Hall Square once again.

and

christmas.ee.

HU, Hannaliisa Uusmaa, Depressive Little Estonian Towns

2009-11-06T15:53:00.000-08:00

One of the best songs from Hannaliisa Uusmaa. Depressiivsed Eesti väikelinnad. I like it!

Integrating Russians

2009-11-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

I loved it! What he writes about England is harsh truth. It happens and there is no point of hiding for the reality. But most of us in England do hide, just to have a happier life.

Integrate me! by Vello Vikerkaar.

"I don’t know where he got this idea of England-as-paradise. Enough Russians have gone there and returned that accurate information ought to be available. But all the same, I tried to dismiss his misperceptions. He wasn’t happy to hear that an Eastern European in England has to work twice as hard as any UK citizen. That he would be thought of as poor, dirty, and possibly a criminal — the very same words he used to describe how Estonians perceive Russians.
...well, there’s always England".

Svjata Vatra - Revolutsioon

2009-11-03T08:16:00.000-08:00

I found an interesting Estonian song.

Ma tean üht meest üle suure vee
Kelle lugu ma jutustan
Ta tahtis minna üle kolme maa
Mille taga ta vabaks saab

Ta astus õue pimedal ööl
Kui aeg oli küpseks saanud
Jalad murul süda rinnas
Oma teed tema teretas

Igaühe hinges on revolutsioon
Lase südamel rääkida
Igaühe hinges on revolutsioon
Lase hingel hingata

Esimene maa oli mättaid täis
Nende taha ta koperdas
Mineviku hõng ja hingus
Teda maha materdas

Üles astuda murede mäest
Kui tuul on veel vastu ka
Pole lihtne, kui liialt mõelda
Ta sihti ei unustand

Igaühe hinges on revolutsioon
Lase südamel rääkida
Igaühe hinges on revolutsioon
Lase hingel hingata

Teine maa oli joonitud
Ja juppideks jaotatud
Kullast hambaga sihverplaat
Ainust aega kuulutas

Välimine pind ja ühine joon
Teda hakkasid käänama
Ta nägi läbi, ta kõndis mööda
See maa teda muuta ei saand

Igaühe hinges on revolutsioon
Lase südamel rääkida
Igaühe hinges on revolutsioon
Lase hingel hingata

No mis head seal on kui väsinud meel
Ja vägi hakkab raugema
Üle ootuste tuldud kuid teadmatu ees
Tahe lihtsalt seisatas

Unes võib rännata lõpu teil
Kuid ükskord peab ärkama
Ta leidis laulu, ta leidis enda
Kolm maad olid üheks saand

Igaühe hinges on revolutsioon
Lase südamel rääkida
Igaühe hinges on revolutsioon
Lase hingel hingata

The Economist about Estonia

2009-10-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

The Estonian exception

SMUGNESS is Estonians’ least attractive feature, at least in the eyes of their Baltic neighbours, Latvia and Lithuania. A surprise endorsement by the International Monetary Fund of Estonia’s plans to join the euro in 2011, coupled with gloom about the other two countries, will only make that worse .....

But it now looks as if, barring upsets, Estonia by the middle of next year will have met all the criteria for joining the euro.

I recommend to take a look at the comments, how one Russian, called out_east, writes and what he thinks. It’s so ridiculous, but many Russians think like him. He has truth and false cleverly mixed, but anyone understands he is wrong and he won’t get far with his talk.

Edit:

this comment is no longer there anymore!

Shoe problem

2009-10-28T02:12:00.000-07:00

I’m being asked all the time - why did you come with summer shoes when it’s winter and why did you come with boots in summer.

Bank Trap - evil Swedish banks in Estonia

2009-10-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

Estonian Television is showing documantery about the evil things Swedish banks (SEB and Swedbank) do in Estonia and I can’t see it. I don’t have a tv. If anyone knows where can I see it in Internet, please let me know!

Bank Trap (Bankfällan, Sweden, 2009)

SVT's policy and financial journalists Kiki and Anna Bek Trane following traces of the Swedish banks in the Baltic countries. The story tells of guarantee on the loan, fast cars, luxury real estate transactions and products. 1980s, the style of the Swedish banks, the loan was created by the bubble, but this time in the Baltic Sea on the other bank.

Now bubble and the recession has hit the banks, borrowers, and the Swedish taxpayer, once again, to save the banks in the crisis. What is happening to the loans that have adopted the Baltics now, when interest rates have escaped out of hand?

After years of record growth, Estonia is currently experiencing one of the deepest recessions of the European Union's member states. And one of the biggest reason for this, is the property crisis, what has been caused by evil Swedish banks. Estonian government never stopped the banks and continues to protect them, not the tax payer. I personally pay for this now, every month hundreds more Euros! It’s extremely annoying! The bank has let me down and is not taking any responsibility.

Visited SEB the other day, asked what could I do. The answer was silence. On the bank web page it says, if you have problems paying, come here, talk to us. It’s so ridiculous. Estonian property prices and rent prices have fallen, they are half of what they used to be. Everywhere else in the world if you lose your property to the bank, that’s it, you can walk away. Not in Estonia, in Estonia you have to pay back the entire loan, exact amount of money, the Swedish bank gave you, and more. They don’t do it in Sweden. Banks have no risks and they are still losing a lot of money in Estonia now. But I know, especially for big companies, it takes a long time to understand what they are doing wrong. I bet everyone is accusing recession.

I’m surprised no-one hasn’t put a bomb yet under this beautiful building. People are so patient. All I can do, is to write here about the mess!

Guardian writes: Has the world economy turned the corner?

Big Swedish banks strangle Latvian economy

Tree house in Tallinn

2009-10-26T11:28:00.001-07:00

Tree house in Tallinn
Originally uploaded by Triin Q

Tallinn Occupation Museum

2009-10-25T13:58:00.000-07:00

Talinn Occupation Museum
http://www.okupatsioon.ee/english/index.htm

Third day in Tallinn

2009-10-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

It wasn’t raining. I walked in Kadriorg Park, visited Occupation Museum and Gallery-G.

Estonian president lives behind these gates in Kadriorg. This gate is behind his palace.

Tree house in Pärnu Maantee.
Today’s date! 23.10.

Art Museum.
Russalka

Today is 23 of October.

BMW SERVIS

These miserable photos are from Majaka, a part of Lasnamäe. Majaka is one of Russian parts of Tallinn, one of the most deprived areas.

Rainy day in Tallinn

2009-10-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

My second day in Tallinn.
I was out in the city about for 5 hours. It was raining all day. It was cold. But it’s so beautiful - all yellow. The autumn nature is just breathtaking. Because it was raining I could only take one photo, of kiosk. Please notice - only one newspaper is in Estonian. Others are in Russian. Welcome to Estonia!

I felt people are different than in London. Also they keep more distance.

Vodkamonth - October

2009-10-21T23:53:00.001-07:00

Estonia, Tallinn

Just arrived and I have a desire to write about my impressions. I’m positively surprised about the autumn nature, it’s so colourful. I complain about taxi price, exactly the same as in London, should be cheaper in province!

I entered my flat and she wasn’t at home. I don’t know her name. She has been renting the room in my flat for a month, my mum says she is a nice girl originally outside

of capital. But my flat is very nice, some of the furniture is in different places. I love the carpet and the curtains in kitchen. I don’t even know if these are my mum’s or her’s.

I bought time on my phone card – for about £30 (500 eek). Then found out I have 850 eek on my phonecard left after extensive calls to my friends and family. Why so much? And after that I found out that if you put exactly 125 eek on your card it is half price calling. Now I have to add another 125 eek to call cheaper. When in England I pay £35 in month and my deal is expensive because my phone is expensive. blrrr-.... but I get more than I use for this £35.

Every time I want buy something nice I put it back after thinking what the price would be in pounds.