anyone Latvian or of Latvian descent?
Jul 2nd, 2000, 02:04 PM
#4
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Hi! Laura is my twin sister - I guess she posted this quite awhile ago. I'll have to let her know that there were a couple responses!
She's been very busy and I'm not sure that she's been on this forum lately. <BR>Our mother is from Riga as is most of her side of the family. Laura lived in Latvia for several months on a study abroad, then visited again for 2 months on her own. I'm not sure if she had specific questions or was just curious - I will let her know I have never been, but would absolutely love to go! Erika - were you in Riga for the entire 6 weeks you were there? <BR>Both John and Erika - Where have you traveled in Latvia? Any areas, cities, sites that you could recommend? Do you speak Latvian?
She's been very busy and I'm not sure that she's been on this forum lately. <BR>Our mother is from Riga as is most of her side of the family. Laura lived in Latvia for several months on a study abroad, then visited again for 2 months on her own. I'm not sure if she had specific questions or was just curious - I will let her know I have never been, but would absolutely love to go! Erika - were you in Riga for the entire 6 weeks you were there? <BR>Both John and Erika - Where have you traveled in Latvia? Any areas, cities, sites that you could recommend? Do you speak Latvian?
Jul 2nd, 2000, 04:50 PM
#5
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Laura, <BR>I had a great-grandmother who was from Riga. <BR>She and her family fled in the late 1800's to England. <BR>They were Jewish,but it was something the family kept quiet about. <BR>My great-great grandfather was a chief engineer for the Tsar and helped design the railroad systems. <BR>But at some point it was getting dangerous for them to remain where they were, so they left for England. <BR>From there some of the family came to the States, others went to South Africa. <BR>No one in my family has ever been back. <BR>Nancy
Jul 3rd, 2000, 08:06 PM
#6
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Thanks so much for responding! I didn't have a specific question, I just so rarely meet anyone of Latvian descent....I feel a strong connection to my Latvian roots....John, Erika, and Nancy--do you guys speak any Latvian? Erika and John--where in Latvia did you go and what did you do while there? My mom's side of the family, incl my mom, speak Latvian and I learned some when I studied abroad over there in 1993. I lived in Riga for five months and travelled all over. I went back in 1996 for a couple months and was amazed at how much it had changed from 1993. Wonder what it is like now. Unfortunately, I have lost much of my latvian since I never speak it here. (my mom laughed at my accent when I first tried to speak it with her...she had never heard anyone speak latvian with an accent....anyways then I got selfconscious). So are any of you guys involved in the Latvian community where you live (are you in the US?)...does anyone know of any good language books to learn Latvian from? What's it like over there now? Laura
Jul 4th, 2000, 12:57 PM
#8
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Laura, <BR>If I did learn any Latvian words, they have been long forgotten. <BR>My great- grand died 37 yrs ago, and she was the only one who spoke any Latvian. <BR>The rest were all German, Swiss, and Dutch. <BR>If you go to Yahoo, and go to languages, there is a listing of dozens of languages. <BR>Latvian is there. <BR>You might be able to find some of the answers you seek there. <BR>Goodluck. <BR>Nancy
Jul 6th, 2000, 07:36 AM
#9
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Hi Laura and Laila -- yes, I speak Latvian fluently -- at least as fluently as I speak English! We spoke only Latvian at home and I still speak it with my mom and sister. I also have Latvian friends, so I speak it on a daily basis. I have been to Latvia -- was born in Germany after the War, since my folks fled the Communists -- 5 times since 1991. I am amazed at how the country has changed... from drab grey to picture postcard. I know that the new Latvian President -- a female! --is doing much to strengthen the economy and work on financial problems. By the way, this last time, I saw her at the Opera -- her box seating was about 50 feet from me. Last time I was there, I sat about 6 feet from the then President and his wife at an outdoor music fest. While I spend most of my time in Riga -- and I can tell you that each time I spend at least a month and it is never enough -- I have traveled on jaunts throughout Latvia. Haven't been everywhere, but each time I see something else. As far as Latvian books/tapes etc to learn Latvian -- I know that they have some on Amazon.com. My niece doesn't speak any Latvian -- which she regrets immensely-- and is now trying to learn. By the way, Riga is celebrating its 800th Anniversary next year -- founded in 1201. Big big celebrations planned for next year. I will be going back again -- perhaps twice next year. Any other questions??
Jul 20th, 2000, 07:33 AM
#10
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Erika - thank you so much for all the info! We were also wondering where you would recommend to fly into to get to Riga - do you fly directly there or go to Warsaw, Tallin, or somewhere else and then take a train? We are nervous fliers and don't like the idea of Riga's short runway. Also, where can we get info on the 800th anniversary celebrations? Now we are really wanting to plan a trip to visit during this time. Thank you so much!
Jul 23rd, 2000, 09:31 AM
#12
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I fly directly to Riga -- never had any problems with the runway, nor with any flights. Have flown mostly with SAS, from NY to Copenhagen or Stockholm and then to Riga. Have also flown through Helsinki with FinnAir to Riga and BritishAir from London to Riga. The flight to Riga is usually with BalticAir and they are great. Smaller turboprop (and I too am a fair-weather flyer!) but super. I don't know where you are here in the US, but there are some really good consolidators (reputable) who will get better airfares from NY/Chicago/Seattle than just the published tariffs. My sister has all the info -- mailing address/email etc -- for the 800 Anniversary celebration, so I will get that info from her and will post it for you. Just want to tell you that hotels are already getting booked up -- we generally stay at "Radi un Draugi" which is a wonderful small hotel right in the heart of old town -- and not too terribly expensive -- and have already made reservations. One of the other popular hotels -- refurbished 15th Century convent -- called Konventa Seta is totally sold out with a waiting list. The celebrations will go on all year, as I understand, with the major one in August. But, they are going to have their "Song Fest" in July -- which is outstanding. It is held in an outdoor ampitheatre, and generally held every four years, but due to the 800th Anniv, will be held again in 2001. Last one was in 1998, and I was there -- along with thousands of folks in the chorus and many more in the audience. If you are there the first weekend in June, they have a major arts/crafts festival. So incredible -- everything is obviously handmade, from ceramics to linen (clothes, tablecloths etc), jewelry, food, more food, leather goods, woodworking items etc. Takes all day to walk through it. I generally buy all my souvenirs etc there. Linen items are quite inexpensive -- I bought some sweaters, both cardigans and lightweight short sleeved pullover types for about $15-$20USD. I thought about putting a "trip report" to Riga on this forum, but haven't yet written one up. I think if more folks would visit, they would find out how much they enjoyed their trip. More and more English is spoken -- any more questions?
