Julia Altshuler wrote:

> Dave Smith wrote:
> >
> > Curious ain't it. But if it helps at all, we had to wait a long time for
it
> > :-)
>
>
> 5 centuries?
>
>
> But seriously, I'm also interested in whether you had any trouble
> finding English speakers. Were you generally able to understand and
> make yourselves understood?


IIRC in Estonia English is compulsory in schools, plus which it's a pretty
high - tech place so knowing English is pretty much a given for many. The
Estonian constitution declares that internet access is a "basic human
right", virtually everything (voting, bill - paying, etc.) is done online,
internet access is cheap or free. Citizens carry around a microchipped ID
card which gives access to many online services, etc.:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3603943.stm


During Soviet times Estonia was the only place in the USSR that could
receive Western TV broadcasts, from across the way in Helsinki (Russians
referred to Estonia and the other Baltic states as "our abroad", as it was
the closest to a Western - type atmosphere most of them could ever
experience. Relatively prosperous capitalist countries in the 1918 - 1940
period, the standard of living was higher, etc.). Additionally, Estonia has
historically had close relationships with Finland and the Scandinavian
countries, after communism they helped Estonia to "get on it's feet" pretty
quickly with aid and investment...so it's a pretty cosmopolitan place.
Tallinn is a popular destination for Finnish day - trippers who come over
for the cheap booze, also for Brits and other West Europeans who fly in for
"stag" and "hen" weekends of boozing and carousing...

--
Best
Greg