08-31-2010, 02:48 AM
Estonia is a fascinating place, surprisingly segregated actually. 
The Russians and the Estonians not only seem to stick to their own, but also dress differently. While the Estonians wear clothes most akin to the Dutch (jeans, sneakers, windbreakers), Russians in Tallinn wear leather jackets and the lacquered shoes. At least this is what my experience was there in 2005. Not that it's bad, of course. My buddy with me was laughing that I was dressed like a Russian. (I am, but moved to the States in the 80s. Must be a subconscious thing lol)
Still, the Baltics are the only place I'd try buying militaria. I wouldn't even try bringing these through Russian customs. Every bag gets searched at the Moscow airports. Recently I read a biographical novel called "Tomorrow You Go Home", about an Englishman who was carrying contraband, refused to bribe the SVO customs agent, and finally ended up in a labor colony in the East on trumped up charges! Just not worth it.
George
The Russians and the Estonians not only seem to stick to their own, but also dress differently. While the Estonians wear clothes most akin to the Dutch (jeans, sneakers, windbreakers), Russians in Tallinn wear leather jackets and the lacquered shoes. At least this is what my experience was there in 2005. Not that it's bad, of course. My buddy with me was laughing that I was dressed like a Russian. (I am, but moved to the States in the 80s. Must be a subconscious thing lol)Still, the Baltics are the only place I'd try buying militaria. I wouldn't even try bringing these through Russian customs. Every bag gets searched at the Moscow airports. Recently I read a biographical novel called "Tomorrow You Go Home", about an Englishman who was carrying contraband, refused to bribe the SVO customs agent, and finally ended up in a labor colony in the East on trumped up charges! Just not worth it.
George
