Category Archives: Latvia

Ranting Time

Posted on June 22, 2014 by

Does the Latvian economy want overseas investment or not. I want to buy a house, the seller wants to sell her house. But the level of bureaucracy, inefficiency and incompetence in the system is astounding. Let me give you a list … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia | 37 Comments

Celebration Time – Come On

Posted on June 15, 2014 by

Party season really started in earnest this week; pre Jani party on Tuesday and dancing in the street with excellent live bands at a packed Kalnciema Kvartāls on Thursday and a school graduation celebration on Friday. Three midweek socials; life was … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Latvia, Latvian music, School | Tagged , , , , | 30 Comments

Have you seen the little piggies crawling in the dirt?

Posted on June 9, 2014 by

Bonus point if you get the band and album from which this song was taken. Never mind the piggies though, because it occurred to me, over the weekend, that I rarely see any animals in the fields in Latvia. I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Latvia | Tagged , , , , , | 39 Comments

Shopping Blues

Posted on June 8, 2014 by

Shopping seems to have become our most popular pastime since arriving in Latvia. Late yesterday Inta invited one of her cousins for lunch today (Sunday). The fact that we had no food in the fridge coupled with the fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia | 4 Comments

Week 5 – Englishman goes Viral, Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted on June 5, 2014 by

Thank, thank you, thank you. What a crazy 10 days it’s been. I’m plodding along getting my usual 20-50 views per day when I wake up last Thursday to check if any comments need approving or replying to. What I find I … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Latvian Economy – I don’t get it.

Posted on June 4, 2014 by

I recently had need of a bicycle pump. I noticed on the road out of Riga, just past Spice, a sign saying Elkor Sports. So in we went. WOW!!!! Possible the best stocked sports shop I’ve ever seen. Huge range … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia | 16 Comments

Latvian Conspiracy Uncovered

Posted on June 4, 2014 by

When in the UK, no matter how hard I tried, I could never find a pair o slippers I liked. I now know why. It seems like Latvia imports the 90% of the worlds production of slippers. Every home you … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia | 6 Comments

Week 4 – Making Progess

Posted on May 27, 2014 by

Sorry this post is later than usual but have had a very busy weekend planning and celebrating Inta’s birthday. I won’t say which one as it’s a lady’s prerogative to disclose her age. Last week started off with a bang, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alus, beer, Latvia, Riga | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Week 3 – What a roller coaster

Posted on May 19, 2014 by

Wow what a roller coaster of a week; started going down, then went up, went down again and then finished with a wonderful weekend in Latgale region. The week started off on Monday with us going to immigration to register. … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Eight things you didn’t know about Latvians

Posted on May 13, 2014 by

Decided to update my list after living here for a few months now. The first 6 items were on my original list.  They don’t eat crisps or peanuts with beer – Crisps and peanuts are definitely off the menu when … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 103 Comments

Reflections of Week 2

Posted on May 11, 2014 by

Reflections on Week 2 It’s just dawned on me that I’m impatient. I want things to happen now not next week or next month. Does that mean I’m a spoilt brat. I dare say my siblings would say I am. … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Latvia, Riga | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

First Day at Work in Latvia

Posted on May 11, 2014 by

A very interesting first day at the International School of Latvia. I’m not sure what the leadership team in my previous schools would think about if they could see, students not wearing uniforms, pupils hugging pupils, teachers hugging pupils, teachers … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Latvia, Riga, School, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What Car?

Posted on May 8, 2014 by

Need to buy a car but it seems much more complicated here and the criteria are different than the UK. Due to a lack of investment during the Soviet period of occupation, the roads compared to the UK are pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia, Riga | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

First Impressions

Posted on May 3, 2014 by

Manic and information overload best describes our first week in Latvia. Trying to find our own home, opening banks accounts and finalising our UK tax and pension affairs are just some of the many tasks we have faced. Also coming … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Food Glorious Food

Posted on April 28, 2014 by

I’m not sure why the Latvians aren’t a race of teletubbies. All we seem to have done in these first 3 days is eat. If a friend calls round in England it’s a cup of tea and a biscuit. Oh … Continue reading →

Posted in Latvia | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments