During the Jomas Street festivities on 5 July, we also wandered into the Jūrmala City Museum, where an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Jūrmala and Ķemeri resorts was on display. The most amusing items there seemed to be the old swimsuits - in faded colours, definitely one-piece, with little frills and made from stretchy knitwear. Those black-and-white ones with thick horizontal stripes were simply in a class of their own. :) This sparked an interest in learning more about the history of the swimsuit.
At the weekend we had broken free and shot off to Germany for a cousin's wedding celebrations. We lived it up, celebrated, explored the lovely little city and mingled with the locals. The feelings that characterise this trip I cannot help but describe in the words of a song - "behind the clouds the sun is shining, behind the clouds is everything, behind the clouds it is good, please take me along." Here is a brief summary - 10 things worth seeing and enjoying in Trier.
No, these are not the sand sculptures that have now become popular throughout the Baltics - this is something more flowing, more fleeting, and in constant motion. With just a few handfuls of sand seemingly scattered at random on glass and with unusually nimble finger movements, an entire painting is conjured. It tells its story, as the contours change ceaselessly and transform into a new form. Words are unnecessary here - simply watch and enjoy the video!
A little mini-competition of sorts... Browsing through photo galleries on the computer, I realised that over the years several photos have accumulated of various spots around Riga that would be interesting to look at - and to reflect on how well I know this city. For when taking them, some of these spots were a genuine discovery for me. So, please go ahead - take a look and write your answers in the comments: what is it and where is it?
This morning I woke up earlier than usual, sat down at my beloved time-devourer (read: computer), and stumbled upon an article on Apollo - a company has appeared in Latvia offering loans under a contract, the signing of which means you pledge your soul as collateral. Of course, driven by my eternal curiosity, I visited the "advertised" website. Well, to put it exactly as the Bible quote goes - "what has already happened will happen again, for there is nothing new under the sun." Only in the 16th century a soul was sold for 100 silver or gold thalers, whereas in 21st-century Latvia - for paper 50 lats.
Shortly after the Midsummer holiday, so that the stomach would not forget how it had been pampered, a friend invited me over for a cocktail evening. The centre of attention was the strawberry daiquiri. The day weather-wise was not very lucky - overcast and even drizzling a fine rain. So we sipped the cold daiquiri and mused that there would be nothing better on a properly hot summer evening. Well, the hot days and evenings are here. Let's mix a strawberry daiquiri!
Today, 27 June, the Latvian Fruit Growers' Association is holding - for the second year running - the Strawberry Festival at the Spice shopping centre, bringing together local strawberry growers from across Latvia. The event programme, with trading, musical performances, and various competitions, is scheduled from 10:00 until 22:00. So if anyone didn't know or hasn't made it yet - there's still time!
Today I once again treated myself at lunch to the beloved Latvian dark rye bread with seeds. So hearty and delicious you just can't get enough. It doesn't happen often, but when we drive out to the countryside, it's become a kind of ritual to stop in the Aizkraukle district at „Liepsalas" (not far from the turning to Pļaviņas) to buy a freshly baked, still-warm loaf. All things considered, "Liepkalnu" bread is far tastier than Lāči bread and considerably more affordable too. To anyone who hasn't yet discovered Liepkalnu products, I recommend giving them a try!
On the way to Aglona Basilica we discovered and visited the Bread Museum, where the hostess welcomed everyone in a Latgalian folk costume, with folk songs and a speech. I must say that the museum's founder and bakery manager Vija is a very charismatic, energetic Latgalian woman who is herself this museum. It is precisely her storytelling and personality (not the exhibition itself) that lures hundreds of tourists to visit her home each summer.
Making love (in the true sense of the word) requires a state of consciousness in which judgement and self-control disappear and are replaced by passion, total abandon, unrestrained feeling and ecstasy. Cancer, however, whatever she is doing, always wants to maintain the upper hand over those around her, to rule over and control them. This tendency stands in permanent conflict with sexuality.
