Erik's visit

November 18th (Latvia's 90th year of independence)

Military Parade

My motherland and fatherland

Braļu Kapi (Brethren Cemetery)

View from the top of the Academy of Sciences

Līva and I- new haircut! :)

My Rimeikas Family

First big snowfall!

-pictures from my AMAZING new camera, Christmas present from Mum and Dad: thank you!

Erik finally made a trip to Latvia and it was really great to see him and show him around the country which has become my second home. He arrived on November 17th, just in time for Latvia's independence day on November 18th. Latvia was celebrating it's 90th year of independence, so there were many events happening in Rīga.

We spent the first evening in Rīga with Zane, Raimonds, Linda, Irbe and Gunda. We had a nice supper and then went to the opening of the newest bridge over Daugava (big river that runs through Rīga). The next day we walked around the old town and took in some of the independence day events such as watching flowers being laid at the freedom monument, the military parade, president's speech and fireworks. Also, Rīga had a light festival that week and many buildings and bridges had special light shows or light effects.

Our next day in Rīga was spent in the old town, cemeteries in Mežaparks and the central market. We also went to the top of the Academy of Sciences were we took in a fantastic view of Rīga.

Then it was off to Rimeikas (our relatives home in the countryside). Erik and our cousin Uvis had a great time fixing cars and talking about motors and tractors. I had a wonderful time relaxing, playing with the kids and sleeping a lot! The first big snowfall happened while we were in Rimeikas and it was beautiful. I always thought that it took a long time to plough roads in Nova Scotia after a snowfall, but in Latvia it is even longer. Our relatives buy milk from their neighbor who has a cow. There was no milk left and the road wasn't in good condition so Silva and I went on an adventure with two big containers through the snow to get some milk. Needless to say, their neighbor was very surprised to see us! Erik and I also had the opportunity to walk around portions of my family's property in Latvia as it is in the process of being surveyed. It was a fun day spent walking around the woods and fields with a lovely group of people.

I felt like it was already Christmas because of the snow, eating ginger snaps that Nina had sent me, eating candy canes that Mum had sent, not working, wrapping Christmas presents to send home with Erik and listening to Christmas music. I am looking forward to spending Christmas in the countryside with lots of excited little kids :)

Before I knew it, it was already time for Erik to go home. His visit passed by SO quickly. I am really happy that he came to visit me and that he had a fun time. He was already talking about a trip back even before he left. It was really interesting to compare his Latvian language with mine. I really have learned a lot since I have been here. It was also cool to show him all the places I go on a regular basis, or the restaurants I like the best. When Dad and Anna were here with me I had to walk around with a map because I didn't know where anything was. Now, Rīga has the feeling of being my home (and I don't walk around with a map anymore!)

Erik's visit actually marked the half-way point of my European adventure. I will now be home in less than 6 months! I will be ready to go home by that time and two of my Latvian cousins are coming to Canada for a visit, so I am really looking forward to that.

I have decided that I am going to study at Acadia University next year. I have applied for music therapy. It is a bit of a difficult process to apply because I am Latvia and cannot audition or write the exam at Acadia, but I think it will all work out.

So now I am back at work again and using my time to brush up on music theory. My next big trip is to Spain and Portugal in January, so I have begun to think about that as well.