So in need of a holiday, although will miss lurking around the boards.
Going to meet new boyfriend’s Dad. Should I be scared?
Only ten days, but is long enough for me. And Latvia will be an interesting place, don’t know too much about it, but very excited about it. To Riga first then little side trips.
Postcards anyone?
Will need things to do while S.O and father-in-law type character are bonding.
Wish me luck.
Have a great week everyone.
Weelllll, I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert since both of my parents were born in Latvia (my father just recently moved back), I have lots of friends/relatives in Latvia, I went to Latvian school for 12 years and I travel there quite often.
Melanie’s Comments and Suggestions for Latvia:
You will be forced to eat a lot of breaded pork chops (called “karbonade” there).
The beer is fabulous - drink lots of “Aldars” preferably at Paddy Wheelan’s, a great ex-pat bar (lots of Americans upstairs). Watch out for Bernhard - a Frenchman who likes to grab women’s breasts.
There is an internet cafe near the “Pulvertornis” (Gunpowder tower). The people working there really rude, but it’s nice to be able to have a little internet. It’s also near a FABULOUS Indian restaurant.
My sister was there last week and she said there’s a new sushi restaurant that was out of this world.
Cops are easily bribed if you happen to get pulled over for speeding. My 80-year old grandmother slipped a cop $50 to get out of a huge ordeal.
The cemetaries (on the North side of Riga) are really cool, really dangerous and very creepy. Most of the tombs have been looted (probably during/after the war) and you can see right into them. Some of them are just a deep, huge pit of debris. Be careful in that region, it’s mostly Russian (no English speakers) and there are roving teenage mafia-wannabe gangs.
You’ll find that most of the people in the city are very rude and surly, but since you’re making day trips (to the country or seashore, I imagine) you’ll get to meet the really wonderful country people. They are the best part of Latvia.
Be prepared to receive a ton of flowers at the airport. In return, bring candy for kids and booze for adults. Did I mention everyone drinks heavily?
Bring a sweater - it’s cold there.
Avoid “Melnais Balzams” unless you want to get sick. But bring me back a bottle, wouldja? I’ll pay you back!
This is the stuff that first pops into my head - I hope you have a wonderful time! Sveiks!
OH! I forgot to mention that a good friend of mine, Martins, is the editor for Riga in Your Pocket. Be sure to pick up a guide (I think it’s a dollar or something). If you meet any American Latvians while you’re there, please tell them Mel says hi!
Ooooh. Ten days. I get a little stir-crazy when I’m away that long anywhere, no matter how nice it may be.
Have fun! Bring me back a Soviet bloc!
Do you know that the president of Latvia is a linguistics professor from Montreal?
Yes, I’d like a postcard!
