Much of yesterday was consumed by a trip a bit out of town to the Latvian Open Air Ethnographic Museum, then getting our rental car for today's adventures. I have many photos and thoughts, just no time to post. It's about 6:30 am here as I write this, as we're about to take off again.
Today's itinerary is Saldus (where I have a cousin I have not seen in about 33 years); Kuldiga, which sounds like a fun place to visit, and Ventspils, the town where my mother was born and lived until WWII took her from her family and homeland.
It's a lot to do in one day, so we may end up staying over night there. We're armed with many maps, saved Google maps on my laptop, and... drum roll.... Latvian GPS! A mere bargain at 7 Lats per day, we have a Tom Tom unit for the car. (You don't want to know what the car rental cost--it was very expensive!).
OK--gotta run. More later, or maybe from the road!
Tell Arnis I said hello and am sorry to hear about Uncle Ernie. I didn't know grandpa Joe went back to Latvia to visit. I hope to get to see Latvia some day. Are you picking up some of the language?
Posted by: Aija | June 06, 2008 at 02:49 AM
How fun it is to read your blog, see the photos and even a video and stay tuned into your travels! Rija sounds fabulous and what you say about Latvians and the Great Lakes makes a lot of sense. How wonderful to be returning to your roots. Enjoy your trip out and about. Can't wait to read more!
Love to you both, K & C
P.S. We want to see some photos of you Sandy!
Posted by: Karen Sorensen | June 06, 2008 at 07:56 PM
Aija,
Yes, Grandpa Joe went back to Latvia in the 70s when you were just a baby I think. Or maybe you were a toddler--you were quite young, still living on Delaware Blvd.
I have been picking up a bit of Latvian! Some words I knew but forgot have come back, and I picked up some new ones too. Here in Sweden now, I want to say "paldies" instead of "tack"!
You have to come to Latvia! You will see that you look VERY Latvian!
Posted by: Mara57 | June 10, 2008 at 01:57 AM