I came of age in Slovakia in the 90s and it was a great time. There were many many problems, and things are a lot better now, but it was a ton better than durin

I came of age in Slovakia in the 90s and it was a great time. There were many many problems, and things are a lot better now, but it was a ton better than during the communist dictatorship that collapsed in 1989. Slovakia and Czechia are technically Central Europe, but it was part of the Eastern Bloc and USSR sphere of influence. I know Russia and other former USSR had a rough time during the 90s, but for many other countries from the Bloc it was a major improvement over the 80s (those countries that are now in the EU/NATO and generally considered to be a part of the "West" these days). Like for example Romania, even with some major major problems, was certainly better in the 90s than during the brutal Ceausescu's regime. Or Eastern Germany that got to reunite with it's long lost brother.