Comments on: Woah! We’re Going To Latvia

By: Guy

Guy — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:17:36 +0000

Dude… im jealous! always wanted to go to Latvia/Estonia and all those places up around there!

There on my list for hopefully visiting post oktoberfest when i appear to be winning the lottery and travelling forever!

As for exciting places im going…. Cape Tribulation at the weekend and New Zealand in April (teeheehee)

By: Rhys

Rhys — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:44:55 +0000

My mistake. I’ve been warned everywhere not to mention the Soviet Union in Latvia, so I won’t

And I can only apologise for the pissed stags weeing everywhere. I’m not like that, don’t worry.

By: Peteris Cedrins

Peteris Cedrins — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:27:21 +0000

Hi Rhys,

I hope you enjoy your time here! Winters in Latvia are actually rather unpredictable — last year January was almost balmy, for example. Last week it was getting down to -20 or so, but last night everything was dripping in a thaw… today a nice zero and snow. Maybe you can blame global warming… but the weather has always been fickle; in the 16th C, there was one winter when everything burst into bloom and another when people used sleds to cross the frozen sea to Sweden.

A couple of mistakes in your post — Latvia’s independence was fully restored in August 1991, not 1994. Though it may sound trivial to those who don’t know our history, we prefer not to hear “a former member of the Soviet Union” unless you also note that this was occupation and forcible annexation; we didn’t choose membership. We have chosen EU and NATO membership, so that’s all blood under the bridge…

Hi Celeste,

I agree that there’s a massive difference between leaving SA and the UK — but physical distance isn’t the only distance there is. Despite Afrikaans, Xhosa, etc. — I assume that most Anglophones in SA belong to the Anglosphere, more or less. The former Eastern Europe is anyway still like the dark side of the moon to most Western Europeans, despite the density of drunken stags pissing on our national monuments…

By: Rudy

Rudy — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 23:15:13 +0000

Nah, us Americans just wait for the Latvians to come over here. Why go over there when they’re all here?

By: Rhys

Rhys — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:41:27 +0000

You did say something relatively similar to Alwyn, or was it Kurt. One of the South Africans anyway. It was October, I’d been drinking since the ferry, I can’t remember exactly.

By: Rhys

Rhys — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:48:42 +0000

“Hi I’m Mr America, welcome to Latvia – L-A-T-I-V-J-A-S. Latvia”

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:09:08 +0000

When I see Latvia I think of the Jackass Gumball 3000 episode.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:39:46 +0000

Have a great time. I haven’t been to Latvia – must add it to my list. Trouble is the list is getting longer and longer.

By: John Boy

John Boy — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:24:16 +0000

Sounds a quality trip. I’ve been watching that Michael Palin’s New Europe, it all looks quality around there. I was quite impressed by Croatia & Bosnia.

Anyhow, the only trip I got planned this year is a 3 1/2 week stroll around Vietnam with the missus. Can’t wait, it should be quality.

By: Celeste

Celeste — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:12:41 +0000

Erm I don’t recall saying those exact words. Creative licence eh Rhys?!

Anyway there is a MASSIVE difference between you leaving Wales and some South Africans leaving SA. England is so close to the rest of Europe there isn’t an excuse. Plus SA is about 20 times the size of Wales so we have exploring of our own country to do.

But yes – it was about time you got off your arse and saw some more of the world!

;o)