Baltics Travel
I’ve gone directly from the Middle East to Northern and Eastern Europe, as I travel to the Baltics where folks can’t get enough pork-products and smoked meats. It’s the land of ‘the other white meat’, spuds and sour cream. In other words, if it’s creamy, fatty, and white, it’s eaten here in enormous amounts. But you would never know it by looking at the locals – crazy-tall Baltic beauties stroll around town with model-like spindly, long legs and full flowing locks.
Baltic Nations
The Baltic nations are three of Europe’s fasting growing economies. Today – the gray, ugly, stoic times of Soviet rule are a thing of the past and these young countries are sprinting into the future… with the help of those long legs, of course. I was happy to see these colorful, artsy societies filled with young people and a culture that seems, in many ways, more modern than other Western European nations.
Northern Europe
I don’t know exactly what it is, but despite the toe-numbing cold temps and often gray days, I love Northern Europe. Northern Germany, Scandinavia, and the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania all make me smile. They are filled with beautiful green landscapes, thick forests full of birds and wildlife and charming old towns like the fairy-tale-looking medieval city of Tallinn, art nouveau Riga, and baroque Vilnius.
Baltic History
In the 20th century, all three Baltic nations suffered greatly at the hands of the Nazis and the Soviet regime. Between the two World Wars, the three small countries enjoyed a time of growth and independence. All this ended with a secret pact between Hitler and Stalin which carved up portions of Europe to be either controlled by Germany or the USSR.
World War II in the Baltics
After a brief and frightening rule by the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany occupied the Baltics during WWII, murdering hundreds of thousands of Jews and wiping out nearly the entire Jewish population of Lithuania which peaked on the eve of WWI at about 240,000. Back then there were about 100 synagogues in Vilnius and 6 daily Jewish newspapers. In just a three month period in 1941, 35,000 Jews were murdered in cold blood in the Panerai Forest just outside of Vilnius.
Soviet Baltics
After the war, the Baltic States fell to the Soviet Union once again and the terror continued with a bleak time of repression. Thousands and thousands of Balts were sent to labor camps, deported and killed. These dark, sad times are chillingly depicted in Riga’s Museum of the Occupation and Vilnius’ very well done Museum of Genocide Victims which is housed in the former KGB headquarters complete with bone-chilling basement cells where prisoners were tortured and executed.
Independent Baltics
In August 1989, an estimated two million Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians (out of a total population of 8 million) joined hands in a human chain known as the “Baltic Way” stretching the 650 kilometers (370 miles) between Vilnius in the south and Tallinn in the north. It was a completely peaceful protest symbolizing the peoples’ solidarity and wish for independence. On November 9, 1989 the Berlin Wall fell. In December 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev signed the declaration condemning the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact’s secret protocol. Within six months, Lithuania became the first Soviet state to declare independence and just two years after this demonstration, the independence of all three Baltic states was recognized by most western countries.
Planning a trip to Latvia? Check out these recommendations for the best hotels in Riga.
Fun Facts:
- Vilnius is the home of Eastern Europe’s oldest university.
- Riga has one of the largest markets in Europe. It’s housed in 5 huge old Zeppelin hangars. Here is a great guide to spending a weekend in Riga.
- Skype was developed in Estonia.
- The current Lithuanian president, Val Adamkus, emigrated to the Chicago area as a teenager, worked extensively for the U.S. government, and moved back to Lithuania after his retirement.
The thirst for independence may have been no more profounnd than it was in the Baltics, especially Lithuania. Their support outside their borders never wavered. I still remember Gorbachev's visit to Vilnius after the fall of the wall. As reluctant as he was to give up this region, even he looked caught up in the intesity of Baltic pride. There was no way they would turn back when freedom was so close. This is a region that truly learned from history and took advantage of the chance to breathe free.
Was your camera not operating when you encountered the spindly legged models?
Looking back on my days as a single man visiting Estonia, I agree that Estonian ladies are the best-kept secret in Europe. Sweden gets the press, but Estonia is better. I'm glad you made it to Tallinn. It's great.
Hey, Lisa,
You got to Vilnius before i did. Had i known, i might have asked you to look up the Gilles family (grandfa). It's a future trip for me.
Excited to see you next week. Anything special you'd like us to get for you? How do you take your morning coffee, BTW?
See you soon.
XOXO
Carol (almost evil stepmo)
Lisa!
Glad you made it to the Baltics! I told you you would like it 🙂 too bad I was skiing in Italy exactly those days you were in Riga..
I am hoping to visit Chicago in the fall, will you be around so I can take you out for that coffee? 🙂
It's generally agreed that we, Lithuanians, made the Soviet Union collapse. Cannot say it was a bad thing to do. I wish more people would discover my beautiful country. If you need any advice from a local- drop me a line.
Hi Ele! Too bad I didn't meet you when I was there. I did have dinner w/ some lovely locals through Couchsurfing! If I get back there, I'll be sure to let you know! 🙂