Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme!

I have arrived home in England but was too busy to do my blog out there so I thought I'd do it now - before I get busy again!

Week 2 of my time in Latvia began in a way any summer school would: lectures. Interactive lectures given by interesting people across the Baltics. For example, we had the pleasure of meeting with the Managing Director of Association of Hotels and Restuarants of Latvia, a hotel manager-cum-professor for Klaipeda University in Lithuania, the manager of a local active tourism centre in Valmiera and the founder of a tourist agency based in Riga. Most of the lecturers, professors and guests who came in to talk to the students were actually alumni of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (the university which hosts the annual summer school) which made their successes even more inspiring.

Human resources in events management:
choose a postcard and describe how it relates to HR

It wasn't all work though. Social events were scheduled into the programme, including drama night, music night, movie night and sports night. What more could you ask for? Drama night was hilarious! The most memorable event of the night was reenacting Cinderella as a thriller. I was Cinderella. I was meant to be dancing with Prince Charming, pushed down the stairs by the evil step-sisters before being stabbed by the step-mother. Then Prince Charming kills the step-mother. It was a great plan but the actual performance didn't really turn out that way. I ended falling down the stairs myself...

The International Tourism and Event Management (ITEM) students had to give their final presentations in the middle of the week. As a reward/break, they were given a tour of Valmiermuizas beer brewery, where I've been two or three times already. I was lucky enough to meet with a good friend I made last year who was in fact the brewery's tour guide.

I should be an expert by now.

Thursday was one of the best days for me. First, we went to an secret underground Soviet bunker in a town called Ligatne. It's cover name was "Vacation Hotel" for the political elite of the 1980s in case of a nuclear war. After being put in pairs, we were given a mission to find "Object X" by a Soviet General (in character, obviously). We were each given a small basic map of how to enter the bunker and a torch. It was pitch black down there. Every now and then, a man in a gas mask would appear in the light of our torches or waited right behind us. After spending about 45 minutes finding the object (radioactive liquid in a test tube), we had to report back to the General to record our time. Somehow, and I'm not sure how, my partner and I won first place in finding Object X.



My prize: a certificate (yay), a gas mask and a Soviet water canteen!

Afterwards, we drove to the town of Sigulda, where I also visited last year. Sigulda is known for its sports, with over 200 sports events each year. The Sigulda Luge and Bobsleigh Track is a training venue for Latvia's Olympic team, and hosts international and national scale competitions every season.

A tour of the track.

So you can guess what we did...



Courtesy of Azlee Ashraf.

Yes, that was me screaming. I couldn't help but think of one film: Cool Runnings!

The Latvian national team's bobsleigh.

By this point, the end of the week was nearing. One of the last activities we had the chance to do was a 2.4km Barefoot Nature Trail. I've never felt anything like it before. Unfortunately, I finished with two huge mosquito bites on my right leg. Just when I thought I'd escaped the mosquitoes!

Doing my PR duties.

It's impossible to write everything I did during my two weeks in Latvia as there was so much done, seen and said. It was great to be back in Valmiera and I'm sure I'll be back again. I will miss my new friends, my old friends, the fresh air and nature, the amazing intercultural conversations and, without a doubt, the delicious Latvian food! And, as always, I will treasure every memory made!



So many countries to visit!

Visu labu (all the best),

A Student Abroad

"When we are aware that each moment of each day, each gesture and step we take, is truly mystical and full of wonder, we will live our lives with greater thought and care." - Daisaku Ikeda

Work hard, play hard

Saturday was the first and only day I took part in the 3-day city festival here in Valmiera. As I mentioned in my last post, my friend and I agreed to perform a Celtic dance together. An international dance for an international pair. When I woke up in the morning, I felt fairly confident about doing it. As the morning slowly passed, I felt slightly nervous. As I stood around the stage floor waiting for our turn to dance, my mind went blank and my legs turned to jelly. Being 14th in the line-up really didn't help. I had one strategy and one strategy only: just keep smiling.

Poster for Valmiera City Festival

Before the song and dance performance, the students had some time to work on their group projects and explore some of the festival events. I managed to see some of a youth fashion show, which looked as if it had an eco-friendly and/or recycled theme.

My favourite: Nescafe dress

Afterwards, my friends and I briefly walked into the shopping centre. I saw that a stall was selling homemade gingerbread cookies. I'm a sucker for any biscuit, cookie or cake. We didn't have much time to stop, so I had to resist my cravings. To distract me from my biscuit-hunger, my friends and I decided to take a photo at one of the stalls. 

Modelling traditional countryside wear

It was time to dance. While people were putting on their Uzbek costumes or changing into their Italian football shirts, I simply tied my Union Jack scarf around my waist. It was more of a practical decision than a fashion choice. After all, I didn't want to keep fiddling with it when I shimmied or skipped!

Germany, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Italy all in one photo.

I made a few mistakes here and there, and had to surpress my laughter every now and then but I think we did a pretty good job! Considering I'd only practised it three times, I'm rather proud. A cold, post-traumatic Latvian beer and two gingerbread cookies topped it off! Yes, I went back to buy them. I couldn't resist...

Voila!

Sunday was our day off. The day most of us were looking forward to. The day we could travel, relax and enjoy Latvia without any time constraints or pressure. Most of the students, including myself, travelled to Riga. This was my third time in Riga and, like the second time, everyone split into smaller groups. From then on, it was me, my Azerbaijani friend, my Uzbek friend and my Belarussian friend. I don't think you can get more international than that! The first thing we did - which was a first for me - was climb to the top of the Latvian Academy of Sciences building for a panoramic view of the city.

We went to the 17th floor.

Then our self-led tour continued. After a week of brilliant sunshine in Valmiera, dark clouds started to form over Riga. And you know what that means - rain! Luckily, we happened to be standing under a tree or in a shop whenever it started to pour. 

I'll let the photos speak for themselves:

TV Tower (the tallest structure in the Baltic States)

Old Riga

Riga Central Market (one of the largest European city markets)

The Sun Stone (office building,
second highest structure in the Baltic States)

National Library of Latvia (founded in 1919)

I just had to...

Cat House

Look at that sky!

My beautiful friends.

My new furry friend.

The rain began to ease off and we had an idea to go to Jurmala, a resort town just 25km west of Riga. It was my first time getting a train in Latvia - a very different experience to trains in England. First of all, you can walk on the track. Secondly, you have to climb quite high to get on to the train itself (I don't know how elderly Latvians do it!) and thirdly, it seems much cheaper!

I love the beach!

My first cartwheel in 4 years.

Oh happy days.

After spending the afternoon at the beach, I can really understand why Latvians love nature.

"A smile is not a sign of happiness but the cause of happiness" - Daisaku Ikeda

Learning about lovely Latvia

As the Baltic International Summer School continues, I'm learning more and more about this wonderful country that I have the pleasure to stay in once again.

My new facts about Latvia:

• During Easter time, swinging on a large wooden swing apparently reduces the chance of mosquito bites in the summer (I wish I knew this last year!)
• Girls and women wear crowns during Midsummer's Night celebrations to signify (and for married women, pretend) that they are not married.
• Before Christianisation, Latvians believed in several gods. Now, Latvia is predominantly Lutheran, Catholic or Orthodox.
• Latvians believe that the closer you are to nature, the closer you are to the universe.

Interesting, huh? 

On Wednesday, I joined one of the programmes on their first trip to a nearby town called Cēsis. I went there twice last year, but I really wanted to go again. From Valmiera to Cēsis, we crossed one railway line a total or 7 times! 

The students first met with the Vice-Mayor of Cēsis, Martins Malcenieks, to discuss the town's development and its tourism.

BISS students in action.

Afterwards, the content manager of this summer programme gave us a small tour - Cēsis is actually her hometown so we were lucky to have an insider's view. We walked towards the centre and came to Rose Square. Although there currently aren't any roses, the square was filled with roses before the Second World War, hence the name.

"Rose Square"

Lutheran church, built in approx. 1286.

The lantern has been the symbol of Cesis since 2004.

A gravestone in memory of those deported from Cesis by Stalin.

We then entered the medieval Livonian castle grounds to begin our organised tour of the ruins. 

Magical!

Before starting, one of the organisers of a famous historical film festival held in the castle itself gave us a small talk on the ins and out of the event. Then, the castle tour began... Some people, including myself, were given lanterns to take into the ruins later on in the tour.

You can see the excitement!

Dressed in traditional servant clothing of the time, our guide gave us a very thorough and vivid tour of the castle, describing the typical scenery, which rooms were where and who lived here. Our first impressions were that royalty lived here, a king and queen perhaps. But instead, friar monks and knights lived here. She described their living conditions in such detail, from their dietary limits to their prayer timings. 

Our wonderful tour guide.

At this point, I was engrossed in everything she was saying... Until I felt the sudden urge to be sick. Out of nowhere, I felt like I was going to faint. I couldn't see anything; everything around me was glaring white. I'm not one to usually fuss. Normally I would have just let this moment of sickness pass and carry on with the tour but something really didn't feel right. I stumbled towards the content manager and whispered "I don't feel very well". I handed my lantern to one of the students out of fear that I would drop it. She sat me down as I mumbled different things. I just remember saying "I'm sorry" a lot! Eventually, she went to fetch for the castle's receptionist and they took me into a cool room where I sat while the tour went on. I really wanted to see more of the ruins but, over the years, I've come to realise that health is very important. After all, I'm 20 now. I have to take these things more seriously!

After pulling myself together, I joined the group again and we headed to a nearby lake for a quick swim. I wasn't sure whether to swim or not (I'd brought my bikini) but after having that strange heatstroke attack, I didn't think it was wise. 

Latvian lakes are a thing of beauty.

So that was Cēsis. It was definitely a different experience to last year! In the evening, in traditional BISS style, we had the International Snack Party. People had piles of food on their allotted tables, particularly the Italians (yum!) Some of my friends may remember me worrying about which food to take - perhaps scones, shortbread, curry... Only joking! In the end, I brought some angel cake slices with me. Simple, delicious and English. 

It was all gone by the end of the night.

There's one more bit of UK 'repping' I have to do here in Latvia. Valmiera City Festival started yesterday, 3 days of celebration and unity. BISS students are required to participate in the song and dance performances. I've been racking my brain about what to do. Sing the national anthem? An Irish dance? Sing an Adele song? Just when I thought I was out of ideas (sensible ones), my friend from Denmark said that she was performing a Celtic dance alone. Celts... Ireland... UK - sorted! The summer school staff wanted to see what each country had prepared the same evening. I learned the dance in 10 minutes and performed with all my heart (and with inevitable laughter). I'll wear my Union Jack scarf to top it all off.

I was asked to join the other programme's first field trip yesterday for Facebook coverage. With plenty of water in my bag and a promised lake swim, I couldn't refuse. I was also able to get to know the other group a bit better. 

We had three different stops:

I would live there.

1) Ametciems village - a beautiful village consisting of eco-friendly and naturally-made houses. The original swampland was bought by a successful entrepreneur years ago. He dug up the swamps to build his home, and soon asked his friends to join him on the land. He now sells land to people to build their homes. There are no fences so wild animals can roam freely and one part of each house must contain logs.

As the village's representative said, "This is an example of how one person's dreams can come true."

2) Vestiena parish, the main trip location

Vestiena, meaning Latvia's hat, is the highest place in the Vidzeme region.

After exploring the protected landscape, the students had to split into groups and present ways in which the place could develop activities to increase tourism. The food and Kala Lake (the largest lake of Vestiena) was enough for me! I even went on a peddle boat and sailed out into the serene lake with some Polish friends.

Sunset over Kala Lake.

3) A small animal sanctuary

As we left Vestiena, we weren't really told where we were going. Only that we weren't going home yet. Driving along a narrow path, we saw a white billy goat in the distance. The coach stopped and when we got off, it was as if we had entered another world. There were hens, chickens, geese, ducks, a dog, a cat and 400 different types of flowers in one garden. It was an eco-friendly animal sanctuary.

After exploring the garden, we were taken to a hill top where we made our own candle over a cup of tea and cake. We said three wishes - one for the world, one for our country and a personal wish - and then folded bee's wax into a small candle. 

Don't worry, there was a rope holding it back.

As you can probably guess, I'm very tired but I'm enjoying every single experience. There is one good thing about this heat: the mosquitoes don't like it!

It feels like déjà vu

Labvakar (or good evening in English)

You're probably wondering why I'm writing in Latvian (well, those of you who know Latvian) and why I'm writing my blog after such a long time. Since leaving Latvia last summer, and telling my Latvian friends "I'll be back", little did I know how soon that would be. Yes, I'm back. I keep my promises! I'm working for the same university in the same town and with some of the same people.

This year, I'm working as the PR Assistant for the Baltic International Summer School, which - if you remember - I took part in and filmed last summer. It is the 15th summer school hosted by the university, with 64 students for 17 different countries taking part this time.

I actually departed from England and arrived in Latvia on my 20th birthday. Yet another birthday in Latvia! With two fully-packed suitcases, I had to leave my house at 4.45am to get to the airport. Luckily, I was excited enough about it being my birthday that my brain woke up quite quickly! After boarding my plane at Luton Airport, it eventually sunk in that I was going to Latvia again. As soon as I arrived in Riga, the capital city of Latvia, it really started to feel like déjà vu. Arriving in Valmiera, the same small town I stayed in last year, it felt like I'd never left! Apart from staying in a different student hostel, the town's new bridge and different BISS participants, everything else is the same!

The new bridge.

One thing though: I did briefly forget that the cars in Latvia drive on the other side of the road to England. When I was on the BISS coach from Riga to Valmiera, I looked down at the car driving beside me and didn't see anyone! For a split second, I thought no one was driving the car. I think it's good to have those moments of madness at the beginning of your adventure. Perhaps it was the heat. The weather is amazing here in Latvia!

As well as doing all things PR - social media, press releases etc. - I have the chance to participate in the summer school's lectures. There are two programmes happening simultaneously, but I've been joining the "International Tourism and Event Management" classes. It's only been two days but I've learned so much more about Latvian heritage, culture and a bit more of the language, and have made a few good friends. I've realised I know the town of Valmiera like the back of my hand, including all the shortcuts and random trivia to amuse my new BISS friends.

Trying to learn each other's name with a name game.

It has felt so lovely to see my old friends! I still have a few more to see, but Valmiera is a small enough town that I should probably see them before my two weeks in Latvia come to an end. Here's to another summer in the Baltics - hooray!

"It is important to keep the promises made to friends. This is the true meaning of friendship. To become people who can do so, however, we must first learn to keep the promises we have made to ourselves." - Daisaku Ikeda