The idea of driving to Lithuania and walking through a forest 20–30 metres above ground had been on our minds since last year, when the Anykščiai Treetop Walking Path was discovered. But this path was only one of eight interesting natural and man-made attractions on this trip.
Earth Hour yesterday, on 19 March - when people around the world were invited to switch off their electricity for one hour - we spent not only without light but in complete, impenetrable darkness, dining at a restaurant. It sounds slightly unusual, but such an experience is available in Riga.
It was a premiere for which the Smiltene People's Theatre actors had been preparing for approximately half a year and now felt a certain excitement, offering their work to its first audience. Commendable is the theatre participants' desire to come and work on a voluntary basis, to stage demanding plays, to seek answers to life's questions, to make both themselves and the audience think and feel along. For as long as a person continues to ask themselves questions, so long do they live.
After six months of careful preparation and gathering of active, enterprising, and action-driven business managers and owners, on the morning of 10 March the launch event of Latvia's second BNI group was held at the Gaismas Pils restaurant. It was attended by more than 130 guests from a variety of companies and fields of activity.
Although I do not consider myself a sworn green, things like not squandering nature's gifts and not leaving too large a footprint on the surrounding environment seem self-evident. Until the moment when it is no longer a matter of habit, but becomes a hassle.
On Wednesday, 2 March, we visited Latvia's 1st Rock Café to enjoy in person... a light-hearted debate between fresh-thinking people. The debate format: six speakers, three who agreed to defend the view that democracy has exhausted itself, and three who believe democracy is far from having exhausted itself.
Thanks to reviews and a fairly wide social media campaign, this year I decided to attend the one-day Subject:Creativity conference, dedicated to four themes - identity, place, boundary, and the human being. The prospect of visiting the newly built Lielais Dzintars concert hall in Liepāja was also enticing. I must say straight away that despite plans to stay longer in Liepāja, I was back in Riga by midnight. Why that was - more on that below.
Sarkandaugava. Evening. On Tvaika Street between Aptiekas and Gaujienas streets, a strong smell of petroleum products is noticeable. I call the Environmental Service - there is not a single inspector who could go and check. I call 112 - it is a common occurrence and nothing can be done about it.
To become a successful networker and be able to grow your business through recommendations and referrals, every BNI member must master a series of GiversGain principles and understand the philosophy: help others become successful in their business and you will become successful in yours. That is the purpose of this BNI training.
Over the past year I have attended a number of networking events and have concluded that Latvians are not such a reserved nation as some might like to think. We do like to talk - but how to do so effectively and usefully for our business is a whole separate skill to learn.