Leaving Riga to Arrive in London

 

Traveling from one country to another is often filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The prospect of a new adventure, new surroundings, and new experiences can be thrilling, but the uncertainties that come with it can be equally nerve-wracking. In my case, our journey from Riga to the London area marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, one that would involve settling into a modern and vibrant city, and making it my home for the next 8 months.

From our second-story flat, we have a picturesque view of a charming neighborhood. Our location is nothing short of ideal, situated just across the street from the central shopping mall, making it effortless to access all our daily necessities.  

Getting to work is a breeze as well. We were provided with a vehicle for our daily commute. The Europe North Area Office is a mere 17-minute drive away. The roads in London are notably different from what I am accustomed to in the United States. Driving on the left side and navigating numerous roundabouts was initially a challenge, but it became an exciting part of the daily routine. It is a testament to the adaptability and resilience we need to embrace when moving to a new country.

The weather, as expected, was quite different from what we had experienced in Riga. London greeted us with a lot of rain, a quintessential aspect of the city's climate. Yet, the silver lining of this rain is the abundance of trees and shrubs that line the roads and neighborhood, along with the magnificent autumn colors that adorn the trees.

In conclusion, leaving Riga to arrive in London by airplane marked the beginning of an exciting and promising journey. Settling into our modern flat, living in a friendly neighborhood, and commuting through the bustling streets of High Wycombe, a neighborhood of London has been a memorable experience. The autumnal charm of the city adds a special touch to our new beginning. While the transition brought its challenges, it also brought with it a wealth of opportunities and a chance to immerse ourselves in the vibrant tapestry of life in England.Top of Form

On the Lighter Side of Things: Lockout Night Drama

Imagine this: we've been in England for just four days, and already, we've had quite the escapade. It all started innocently enough with a surprise visit from our zone leader, Elder Sloan, who happens to be our neighbor in this apartment building. My husband Greg had just returned from an exhausting gym session, all set to enjoy a soothing shower and slip into some fresh clothes. But destiny had other plans.

A knock on the door introduced us to Elder Sloan, who stopped by to gather some information, but ended up hijacking our evening plans. He suggested we carpool to church with Elder and Sister Oliver and invited us for a quick visit to their apartment in our very building. Now, the twist? We left our cozy apartment, making sure we carried our apartment key. Greg, the gym warrior, was still clad in his sweaty workout gear, and yours truly, in a stroke of genius, had slipped into house slippers.

We ventured into the Oliver's den thinking it'd be a brief encounter. But oh, how wrong we were. As we chatted away the hours, our return to our apartment was met with a cold shoulder from our Door Fob. It decided that we weren't allowed back in, no matter how much we pleaded. Several attempts and a hike back to the Oliver's later, we decided it was time to call in the big guns.

Our knight in shining armor, Kimberly, the facilities manager, tried her hand at coaxing the stubborn door. She even brought her master fob to all the remote keyless entry systems the Church rents in the building, thinking it would surely do the trick. It didn't. Kimberly and her husband, Michael, even joined the battle, but alas, the door remained firmly locked.

With no other option, Kimberly initiated an SOS to the apartment management and requested an emergency repair. We waited, perched on the hard corridor floor just outside our door, envisioning a bedtime by 10:00 PM, but we were in for a cruel twist of fate.

After several fruitless attempts to get an accurate "estimated time of arrival," Kimberly remembered an empty apartment on the 6th floor, flat 76, that had comfier seating. So, we rode an elevator to the sixth floor and settled into #76, thinking we'd finally catch a break.

As Kimberly's phone battery dwindled to single digits, the building management kept reassuring us that someone was "on the way." At around midnight, we received the cold, hard truth - no savior was en route tonight. Kimberly made futile attempts to secure a hotel for the night, but luck wasn't on our side.

But our newfound refuge had its quirks - a leaky toilet and a bed with no bedding. We insisted that Kimberly and Michael head home for phone chargers and a supply of pillows and blankets, and after some reluctance, they agreed. We lay on the couch and a makeshift mattress, hoping for a miracle. Hours ticked away, and hope dwindled.

With our faith hanging by a thread, we passed the time in #76, slipping in and out of sleep.

At 1:30 am, my phone rang, it was Kimberly asking us to come to her house to sleep and an Uber was waiting outside the building to take us there. In the morning, we were told that there wasn’t much food in their house for breakfast because they don’t eat breakfast but how does rice cakes and peanut butter sound?

It was Sunday, the day we'd been looking forward to, but our church debut was slipping away. Kimberly, in the dead of night, had an ingenious idea - a locksmith. But, alas, Sunday locksmiths were as rare as unicorns. Still, we clung to hope, believing that one brave soul would come to our rescue. On Sunday morning, no less, where most locksmiths seemed to have hit the snooze button. Kimberly was able to contact a locksmith willing to meet us in 30 minutes. Our anticipation grew as we expected that elusive locksmith to save the day.

11:30 that the door finally The four of us hopped in an Uber and arrived back to our apartment building. When hope finally seemed within reach, a repairman arrived. Armed with a treasure trove of tools, he wrestled with the lock, sweating and struggling as if it were a heavyweight champion. But the door proved a tough nut to crack. So, around 11:00 PM, he unleashed the ultimate weapon - a drill. It wasn't until surrendered, but by then, church was but a distant dream.

A couple of hours later, the building engineer messaged us that he'd be coming to repair the lock. The irony was not lost on us, considering we could have used his expertise the day before. He revealed the culprit: dead batteries. But here's the kicker - the battery panel could only be accessed from inside the apartment, making it an unsolvable puzzle when locked outside.

Our solution? We proposed switching the lock with one from apartment #76 on the sixth floor. It was a stroke of genius, but it required the authorization, so Kimberly and Michael were summoned once again. The engineer went to the sixth floor and returned with the electronic lock from #76, and we finally had a secure, functioning door.

Let's just say, after this whirlwind of an adventure, we're going to bed early tonight for a well-deserved rest. The misadventure in England will go down in history as one of our most memorable experiences!

 

Serving Hope: A Visit to Fonds Agape

 

Fonds Agape in Liepaja is a soup kitchen that also provides shelter for homeless individuals. We spoke with manager Leifs Krafts, who has five years experience here. Daina, a volunteer for three years, now collects surplus food from local grocery stores up to five days a week. The kitchen serves hot porridge five days a week, with hungry individuals bringing their containers. They also distribute monthly food rations from the European Union.

Leif needs new large cooking pots due to heavy daily use. On the second floor, the shelter houses homeless people an old, uncomfortable mattress in room with outdated infrastructure. Residents contribute by assisting with various tasks to stay at the shelter.

We recognize the organization’s valuable work and aim to support them by providing new single mattresses and cooking pots for their kitchen.Top of Form

Riga's Transportation Hub Undergoes a Major Construction Overhaul

In the heart of Riga’s transformation hub, extensive construction is underway. This bustling area, mere meters away from the main bus station, train station, and a hub for trams, trolleys, and public buses, is currently undergoing significant changes. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the tram tracks are undergoing maintenance, resulting in temporary reroutes for tram service due to several months of ongoing construction. Additionally, the train station is undergoing a major transformation to accommodate new rails for a high-speed train connecting all the Baltic capitals. This street is undoubtedly a bustling and congested thoroughfare, and to add to the complexity, it’s currently in a state of disarray. Road construction crews are working diligently to complete the project before the onset of winter.

8 Differences from American and Latvian Culinary Customs

When comparing American and Latvian cuisine, one uncovers fascinating cultural distinctions in the preferences for peanut butter, milk habits, seasonal eating, ice usage, beverage refills, water service, and grocery store variety. These differences provide a glimpse into these unique culinary worlds of the two nations.

Differences from American and Latvian Cuisine:

1. Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is an American favorite, while in Latvia, people opt for alternative spreads and nut butters.

2. Milk Temperature: Americans generally prefer their milk cold, whereas Latvians tend to enjoy it at room temperature or slightly warmed.

3. Milk Consumption Habits: Americans consume substantial quantities of milk in one sitting, often with meals, while Latvians typically enjoy smaller quantities, often as an accompaniment to coffee or tea.

4. Seasonal Eating: In the United States, year-round access to various foods has led to less strict adherence to seasonal eating habits. Conversely, Latvians prioritize seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients in their cuisine, adjusting their meals based on the availability of fresh produce.

5. Ice Usage: Americans frequently use ice cubes to keep their beverages cold, whereas Latvia, beverages are typically served room temperature or slightly chilled.

6. Beverage Refills: American restaurants often provide free refills on drinks like coffee and soft drinks, whereas in Latvia, each beverage ordered is charged separately.

7. Water Service at Mealtime: In American restaurants, it is customary to offer a glass of water as soon as guests sit down, whereas in Latvia, bottled water, often “still” or “gassed” may be offered at an additional expense.

8. Grocery Store Variety: American grocery stores are renowned for their extensive variety, offering numerous brands and flavors of products. In Latvia, while essentials are readily available, the range of choices for certain items may be narrower, reflecting a simpler approach to grocery shopping.

In summary, the examination of American and Latvian culinary customs highlights the diversity within global food cultures, reminding us of the various traditions and preferences that shape the rich tapestry of global cuisine.

Enhancing Accessibility in Liepaja

Leipajas Neredzigo is an non-profit organization that supports individuals with vision disabilities, playing a vital role in the community by promoting development and growth. Essentially, it functions as a rehabilitation center, often referred to as a "life school", where visually impaired individuals participate in a comprehensive program to effectively integrate them into society, focusing on their rehabilitation and personal development goals.

Maris Ceirulis, who is visually impaired, serves as the director of this facility, overseeing 300 visually impaired individuals who come from various parts of western Latvia. During our tour of the two-story building, we noticed the presence of handrails with Braille along the long hallways, designed to assist visually impaired individuals. Different rooms are dedicated to activities such as music, art, ceramics, basket weaving, cooking, exercises, and there’s also an auditorium with a large stage. 

One significant concern Maris shared with us was the need for an elevator to provide wheelchairs accessibility to the second floor. Currently, individuals in wheelchairs are carried up the stairs by multiple people, which is not ideal. Maris has been working on this project for years, but high costs have been a major obstacle. He showed us the proposed location for the elevator, near the stairs and close to the auditorium.

We have agreed to review and consider his proposal as a potential humanitarian project.