Riiiiiiga

I just signed into this blog-site in Latvia. Paldies "guess and check"! (Thank you! in Latvian.)

I would say that the bus ride down here from Tallinn was pretty uneventful, except that it wasn't. One of the Russian speaking men in the back of the bus was trying to smoke a cigarette which set the smoke alarm off. The bus driver proceeded to pull over to the side of the road, walk to the back, and deal one square slap on this guy's cheek. Then, without saying a word the bus driver took his station again at the wheel and we drove on towards Riga.

The hostel was really easy to find as it was only a five minute walk from the bus station. Upon arrival at my hostel I recieved a free beer as promised by the literature online. The atmosphere was pretty hoppin' for a Wednesday night, and there was more to follow.

Our host led us down the street to a club where we waited outside to get in. As we were waiting we witnessed some Latvian aggression being taken out by some big bouncers on the indefensive body of some little (probably smarmy) dude. It was like a movie - I hardly believed my eyes. We did not go in that club after that, but kept moving onto another more expensive, less violent establishment.

I've learned alot about culture since being in Latvia. I've learned not to let Chilean guys buy you drinks or accept their offers of cigarettes. I've learned that Basques sing when they are drunk. And I've learned that McDonalds has what's called the McWalk which serves the McLavash deep into the McNight.

Today I visted the Latvian History Museum which turned out to be very interesting. There were exhibits of tools and national costumes. The costumes are made of wood and I can see why considering that it was 70 degrees F today, but in the breeze off the Daugava River it was quite chilly.

On a more creepy note, I passed a guy on the street wearing a South Dakota t-shirt. Naturally I assume that, since the state is so small, we all should know eachother - or at least use the family whistle when we meet overseas. This guy clearly didn't notice my "South Dakota-ocity" because he kept on walking. On a whim, I decided to follow him in the hopes of "accidentally" running into him and making conversation. I followed him, undetected, for at least a km through the Old Town area. He eventually made his way to the Latvian Film School. There was no chance of me, a tourist from Tallinn, having a good excuse for ending up in the Latvian Film School so I let him get away. Probably for the best. How creepy am I?

I'm going to catch up on my sleep now so that I have the energy to explore Riga some more. And by explore Riga I mean find a nice kafejnica to sit in and read Hilary Clinton's autobiography. I talked to a girl from Dublin about literature last night and now I must read Ulysees. I also just finished "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck. It had some generally applicable themes that I was probably not mature enough to pick up on in high school. Thank God my school was less than mediocre and we never had to read it.

Good night!