I spent a long weekend with friends in Riga and surroundings, and the pictures of it are at
http://community.webshots.com/user/adelphi44

The three Baltic States are very different among themselves, while Lithuania is close to Poland, Latvia seems to have a lot of russian influence still and Estonia is closer to Finland.

The language there has nothing to do with anything I have heard in my life, milk is called piene I think, that is all I remember.

There spectacular buildings in Riga, many of them now reconstructed, they make wonderful wollen things and linnen too. I also went to a concert in the Great Guild Hall. Tradition is very important and present as well in the jewelery, they make special rings for unmarried women it seems, with seven little symbols hanging from the top. I thought about for a moment but then it would make lots of noise in the office when I am typing

I hope you enjoy,

B irgit

I love those old buildings. They've done a wonderful job with the reconstruction so far.

Wow, Birgit. You travel to such interesting and exotic places! I'll probably never be able to visit most of these places you have been to, but I can travel vicariously through your photos.

Is it difficult to communicate with the locals or do they speak other more common languages such as German or French or English? When I was in Barcelona it seemed most of the locals spoke Catalan (mostly) or Spanish (a little). English, not so much except at our hotel. I could speak just enough Spanish to get myself in trouble!

cheers,
Debby

Wonderful pictures, Birgit! I especially loved the ones of Rundale Castle.

Wonderful pictures, Birgit!!
I'd love to walk down one of those
very old, narrow streets!
I just love the historical architecture!!

Purrs,
Joan

Amazing pix Birgit I really want to visit Latvia, once my hair starts to come back I am off on a few wee adventures.
My brother just got back from Budapest and LOVED it...he showed me the pix and I loved all the Art Nouveau architecture.

Thank you for your comments,

Debby yes they all speak English and some speak German as well, as this was between WW1 and WW2 German territory. But what you hear most is Russian.

Hitler traded these states to Stalin in a secret pact and so the Russians invaded them and occupied them until the late 90ties when the USSR broke together.

Of course the successive foreign reigns left scars in the population but now all these countries are prosperous and independent once more.

Ellen, Budapest I visited some time ago and it is also such a very nice destination. But how about coming to Germany and visit me and Tango ??????????

Birgit

We will for sure, have only been to Berlin twice...really loved it although I needed a holiday after it as we really burned the candle at both ends.

Elvis wants that castle ... NOW!!!!!

Beautiful, romantic, what types of food????

Judy,

Elvis could have that very nicely decorated foot bathing tub for his residence???

Birgit