Jurmala Beach

Here is the white sand beach located in Jurmala. When the Soviets controlled Latvia this was a favorite place for Russians to vacation. The beach goes on and on. This picture was taken right after a rain storm so the beach was empty. This is all part of the Baltic Sea. This is still the place to go in the Baltics for fun and sun.

Photoshop or Rhonda: You decide

I came home one day and found this woman in my house. Upon further investigation I realized it was Rhonda. The reason for my confusion is that I have never seen her do this before.

Or did I cleverly photoshop Rhonda's face and body using a mop? You decide.

If you have proof or firsthand knowledge of her using a mop in a previous life I would like to know. Rumor has it she also knows how to cook.

Traditional Dance or Drunken Behavior

Here is Rhonda doing a traditional dance with some of the locals during Jani. I think she came out of the beer tent to do this dance.

Musicians playing for jani

Here are some of the local musicians playing for Jani. As you can see the beer tent is right behind them. I think Rhonda spent some time in the tent.

Riga Opera House

Here is a picture of the Opera House in Riga. When we came to Latvia the first time we attended our very first ballet. I don't know what was being said but there were a lot of guys in tights.

Street Performers

Here are some street performers in Old Town.

Larry's Jani Hat

Some would argue that to truly know a country you have to become fully immersed into the local customs.

Rhonda's Jani Hat

Here is Rhonda getting ready to celebrate Jani. Celebrated throughout Latvia, Jani is the annual celebration of the Summer Solstice which marks the longest day of the year and is celebrated on Midsummer's Day. It is an ancient practice which dates back to pre-Christian times and has many rituals that are closely associated with nature and the hope for a good harvest in the autumn. It is a time to be with friends, family and loved ones and is usually celebrated with a big meal during the day. At this time of year, it is traditional for Latvian's to go into the forests to collect traditional jani-herbs which are thought to have special healing powers. One of the most symbolic herbs is the mythical blooming fern which is said to only flower on this day and is believed to bring the finder good luck, riches and love. The day is a national holiday in Latvia, as is Midsummer's Eve which is known as Ligo Diena or "grass day" Everyone is to wear a hat of leaves and flowers and say goodbye to winter and hello to summer. They also stay up all night and drink.

Castle turned Rehab. Center

Here is a castle that is currently being used as a drug rehabilitation center. Rhonda had one of the patients give us a tour. Larry

We found this by accident on our way to another castle. He seemed like a nice man. Rhonda

Riga's Old Town

Here is a picture of Old Town from across the river.

13th Century Castle

Here is the castle at Cesis, Latvia. The Lats have yet to discover American marketing schemes...no magnets, no postcards, no snack shop, no snow globes with a castle inside. It costs just 2 lats to explore the whole thing with a candle as your flashlight.

Construction of the castle is thought to have begun around 1209, in the time of Master of the Order of Swordbrothers Wenno von Rorbach (1202 - 1209). It was built at a strategic location as a military base for the conquest of northern Latvia and Estonia and for defending these territories. After the annihilation of the Order of Swordbrothers at the Battle of Saule in 1236, a branch of the Teutonic Order was established in the Baltic: the Livonian Order. The first master of the newly established order, Hermann Balke, chose Cesis as his residence. Thereafter, Cesis Castle became the meeting place of the chapter, or ruling council, of the Livonian Order, and the residence of the masters (1239 - 1561, with interruptions). Gradually, a town grew up around the castle. Already in 1221, a chronicle mentions a village next to the castle, although Cesis is mentioned in documents as a town only in 1323.

Moving In

Our stuff finally arrived. As you can see we had more stuff than room. Things are still in boxes but we are slowly unpacking. Note to self: Next time have bigger garage sale.

Do's and Don't in Latvia

When in Latvia you should always obey the local rules of the road.
1. Always drive with your lights on.
2. A parking ticket is 10 Lats or $20.
3. Never right turn on red.
4. Never put gasoline in a diesel engine. Especially if the van is owned by a school board member and he let you borrow it for a couple of days. With tow it cost about 150 Lats or $300.

Franken in Flight

I hate flying. Are we there yet?

Buster flying. He really enjoyed all the space.

Here is a picture of Amsterdam. We had an eight hour layover on our way to Latvia.

Seizure human needed

Hello Everyone. We finally made it. The flight over was fairly calm considering we had two giant yellow labs with us. As you can see one traveled very well and the other was a little nervous...and in need of a seizure human.