Memorial Camping Trip in Latvia

It is traditional to go camping with my family on Memorial Day Weekend as it also gives us a chance to celebrate my Granpa's birthday.  Even though I am not at home, I still decided to go camping, even if it was by myself.

This is the place that I got to spend three days.

Isn't it a pretty place?  The weather even cooperated and was nice, although a little chilly.

It was an interesting experience to camp by myself, but it was so relaxing!  Of course, it would've been more fun with family, however, I did have a good time.  I hope to go back soon!

Cinevilla

Latvia has a "Universal Studios"/"Old Tucson" called Cinevilla. 

Where you can go and tour the sets and see where they make movies locally.  They showed us how to do things on "green screens". 

They had a whole bunch of old vehicles. 

They've built a ton of buildings that replicate various parts of Riga.

There was even a ship!

They have a bridge that can be moved by two men...and it's huge...it has something to do with the rotating device that they have it on.  It's fairly famous, apparently many other film companies from other countries have used it, most recently Japan!

They have all these barrels dressed up like various things...an owl, a horse, people...

It was really neat and a very pretty place.  Great location to film a movie or to visit.  They have costumes that you can dress up in...no one in our group wanted to dress up, but it would be a great place to take the kids for hours of fun.  Dress up and play on a movie set...what's better than that?

USAEUR Band

On May 15th I went to Jelgava, Latvia to listen to the USA Europe Band.  They opened the concert with the US national anthem and the Latvian anthem.  I have always loved the national anthem but hearing it played overseas was an incredible experience.  Because we were in Latvia, there were only a few American citizens there, but I sang the words as the band played.  It sent chills down my body, singing the anthem and thinking of what an incredible country I was born.  I've always known freedom but many in Latvia have only recently been granted what should be every human being's right.  I love the US and am proud to be an American citizen.  I am grateful to all soldiers, both past and present, who fought to make America free and continue to uphold freedom throughout the world.  May God always bless the USA and may her citizens uphold freedom, forever and remember that it was God who made our country what it is.

If you ever get a chance to listen to the miltary bands, take advantage! Such incredibly talented musicians.  Not only are they musicians, but they are also full-time soldiers serving their country.  Many of the musicians played multiple instruments, a very talented group.  Makes me want to practice the instruments that I know how to play so I can get that good! :) 

Jelgava, Latvia

The above pictures where taken in Jelgava, Latvia. Yesterday was such a nice day, the sun was out, so it made for a nice trip out of Riga. One thing that is interesting is that a lot of the time, regardless of what opening times are posted on their website or buildings, sometimes things close down without any reason. So although we got to see the outside, we didn't get to see inside. However, I did get to be a head of a statue! :)

Another view of Jelgava Palace         St. Anna's cathedral         Jelgava Palace         St. Simeon's cathedral

New friends

Since coming to Latvia, I have made a lot of new friends, both through work and through church.  I thought it might be nice to post pictures of them to my blog because they are part of my travel experience! :)

Time...

You don't realize how quickly time passes unless you have something tracking the days that go by...and this blog does!  Who realized that it's been a month since I last posted anything...boy does time fly!
Riga's weather has been pretty cold and cloudy lately.  It's sad when you don't remember the last time that you saw the sun because of clouds!  So we definitely take advantage of the sun when it's out, like it is today.  My boss said I could take a longer lunch to enjoy it...but I hate to take advantage so I was only gone an additional 15 minutes.  I know he wouldn't have cared if I'd been gone even longer, but you know, I have a work ethic! ;)  I'll take advantage after work...maybe have dinner out and sit on the patio somewhere. :)