Saturday, June 30, 2012

This is a really cheap excuse, this couputer that I am writing on is Latvian, every word written in English has a red line under it as a mistake. If you like to correct the mistakes for me that will be fine, or make up the word you think I am saying. Thx



June 28, 2012
   We left the apartment at 12:45AM----the morning of June 28 to walk to the Neva River to watch the bridges open. We are living on this island in the middle of the city. There are 101 islands that are part of the city, plus the actual land. At 1:00 all of the big bridges that connect the island to the main city open one by one in a ritualistic pattern, one after another until all 7 are open. At that time there is no road transportation across the river. The metro closes at midnight. The island is closed until after 2:00AM every day.This is so the big ships ,barges,boats can come into the ports and rivers that connect the Baltic Sea to Moscow from the Volga River. It was a beautiful chilly morning. We walked back home to snuggle in our beds.
   Lera was up early making porridge ( oat meal).With wonderful homemade jam,bread,tea.
   We left the apartment which is on the 6th, top floor of the building, down the very old elevator , out to the busy city. We walked to the metro. Those of you that have been to the Atlanta airport, and have taken the escelator, the looooooooooong one, this is 3 times the length as it goes down under the water, then waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back up. We walked all day visiting churches, historical sights,businesses, flower shops,stopping for coffee and tea with delightful snacks in delightful places. One chocolate shop had two chocolate fountains as tall as me, maybe taller. They would not let me close enough to check or taste.I wish everyone could see St. Petersburg and Russia through my eyes and experiences.
   Jani had to leave for Riga, he took the metro to the station, leaving Lera and I alone, with our different langauges. She understands many words, I now know 10 Russian words, one of the them rubbish which does not come up in conversation a lot. It is about the same word in both .Jani set one of her computers to write in English, automatically transulating to Russian as I wrote. The other Lera wrote in Russian transulating into English as she wrote. It is Google transulator, great tool. It will even say it out loud if you ask it to. We had a fun time communicating , sharing our lives
, families and flowers.

June  28 &;29, 2012

  .
 Land Art Competition
 .There were 13 teams from many countries and cities in Russia and  Europe. There are 4 members of each team. The teams arrived to the event site on Wednesday morning, checked in , meet for instructions, rules and schedule. They then went into the forest and asres on site to find the place they choose to create their instalation. The only things they may bring from home are tools, fish line,nothing made from home. When the site was chosen, the team returned to report and register their site. They then began creating, until dinner time where they meet, talked, sang and enjoyed meeting each other.
   After breakfast on the 28th, the teams created all day, stopping for lunch and dinner. They worked until evening, ate more had entertainment, partied , sang more and to bed at 5:00AM on the 29th!!!!
    Lera and I were up early on our way by car to the country where the Land Art Festival was being held. It was a nice hour and a half drive to The Baltic Sea, then up further North. The competition is held at a private park/campground facility. There are hotel rooms for the contestants and guests, plus a cafe/resturaunt , beach,camping grounds and hookups. It really could be in Northern Minnesota, The Black Hills,any forest area.There we meet Aija and the other judges for the competition. Two  judges are part of the company presenting the event, a judge from Italy, Aija and myself. 

    We , the judges, photographers and event officials began our hike through the forest, up,down,in,out,up and down again for two hours. Each Land Art was marked on a map and numbered. We went as a unit, marked and talked about each one. They were eveluated on idea, mechanics, how it integrated into the chosen landscape,difaculity,effect on viewer and enviornment.It was wonderful. The misquetos were out in force. They are as bad here as they are at home!!!!
   We tabulated and discussed the installations, first through fourth place were decided.
   After our hike, we had lunch, then went back out to visit each site with the designers and guests. Each site was visited again with verbal evaluations from the judges.
   Every one went to their rooms, collected their belongings, checked out meet for final meeting , awards and final dinner.
   Lera, Aija, Ivan, the judge from Italy and myself drove back to St.Petersburg, to change clothes, walk about an hour to the canal in the city where a sightseeing charter/dinner boat took us on a thre hour meal and cruise on the Neva, in and around the city. We walked back home,had coffee and walked back to see the bridges open one more time, arriving home around 2:00.









Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Tuesday June 27 St. Petrersberg,Russia
    Monday morning June 26 Aija , Janii and I were up at 4:15 AM, out of the apartment in Riga by 5:30 off to the airport to Russia. She coached me on what to do and say/or not to be safe , to make it an uneventful trip out of and into the country. The airport was easy, in and to our gate,then onto Air Baltic for a short 50 flight. I expected St.Petersburg airport to be very big and beautiful. It was small and very easy to travel through. Heading to customs I knew all of the answers to the questions that they could or usually ask travelers. I memorized the names,addresses,people and places. Walking up to the customs counter I was anxious , and very well prepared. I handed them my passport and papers, he looked at them, stamped them and sent me on my way...no questions...no words at all. I wanted to say, wait, I can pass the test. Thought better and walked on.
   Lera, Aijas friend and past student picked us up,headed right for a place to have coffee and pancakes, the good kind ,as in Hungary and France. The crepes that are thin, with jelly, cheese and many fillings. We picked up a couple other students/friends,to come to this large wholesale house with us. Olga gave me a very nice tour, we talked . She is a fresh flower buyer and salesperson. They are very proud of their facility as they sell fresh cut flowers, ,green and blooming plants, supplies and home decor. One of the only two in Russia that she knows of that have it all under one roof.
   The five of us went to several flower shops, and coffee shops. Aija left us to be a part of a press conference for the Land Art Competition which I will take part in. We visited more shops until she meet up with us.We visited her school and classrooms. Polina and Anistasya went one way, we came to Lera's apartment to unpack, have coffee, relax. When I say  coffee for me it is tea,coffee is the favorite drink, tea I think second? Each day I learn a couple more Russian words,and more Latvian.
   Around 7:00 PM after a very strong rain we decided to take a walk to meet another friend for "coffee".WE walked along the Neva River. There is an island in the city. Lera lives on the island, it is a beautiful and very historic place. We saw so many lovely buildings, statues,parks,monuments. Lera and her family have lived here all of their lives, she is the best guide ever, Aija is the best interpreter..ever. We meet our riend, walked more , then walked to their family flat. It is very beautiful. The same as Lera''s,quiet in the center of such a large city. We had wine, cavoir,crepes,cheese. Aija looked at the clock, it was 10:00PM. Yes I was still out of the house!!!
   One name for this time of the year way up North is White Nights. It never is dark for many weeks. 10:00PM felt as 4:00 PM. We walked home the long way, by the river, arriving around 11:00.
   Lera''s began to make pirogi with cabbage,egg and garlic. Finally around midnight I left the two still talking and laughing and cooking.
 
June 27
   Jani took the bus from Riga, arriving at 5:00AM. We all slept in , had a great breakfast, prepared to leave for the day. Aija went to begin preparations for Land Art Competition. I found out this morning that I am an judge. I will go out in a day or so. In the time Jani and Lera will show me the city.
   We drove to Pushkin ( Tsarskoe Selo ) a town of impereal palaces. The palace we visited is also known as Great Catherine Palace, built in 1744 to 1756. It is Russian Baroque.We arrived, bought a ticket to be on the grounds,headed to the line to enter the palace with so many people. We arrived around noon,waited until 2:00 when they closed the line for 2 hours for appointment tours,reopening at 4:00. The line was tight, it rained on and off. Lera stayed in line as we explored the amazing gardens and parks of the royal. Lera, Jani and I went to the car for a snack that she had packed, and coffee. We also stopped at the WC (  restrooms) where we paid equal to $1.50 to use the facilities!!!
   Around 4:30 we arrived inside to another ticket office.Waited in that line, then went to another line to wait to enter. All of this was about an hour to where we put on special slippers to enter.So so many people all wanting to see the same thing.The art, gold,flooring was stunning. It was hard to see and hear a lot ,so many crowds, I became a bit chlosterphobic. We stayed in there about 40 minutes,seeing what we could see.
   We came home, ate,relaxed. Tonight at 1:00 we will walk to Neva River to watch the bridges go up. At 1:00AM all of the bridges on the Neva open at the same time to allow the ships to exit and enter the port. They are all lit . There are fireworks with the show.
   The Russian people are more than kind and wonderful, They are kind, gracious, just the same as you.
  Pictures will come later...




Monday, June 25, 2012

June 25. 2012
 
June 24, 2012 was Jani ( Johns )Day in Latvia. Most people in Latvia and other European countries have a name day.This is a special day just for those with that special name. Jani is the most popular mans name so it is celebrated throughout with many phases. I am visiting with Jani, my friend, with his mother and girlfriend. His grandfather , and friend with the same name. Saturday was a day of preparation,making food, eating food, drinking beer and homemade Birch wine, eating some more, talking , more beer.
  We went into the meadows around the cottage to collect wildflowers to make head wreaths for the women . We collected malpe branches and leaves to make head wreaths for the Jani's at the party. We sang, ate and enjoyed the patio, lake and chilly weather.
  Everyone about 20 of us sat at the table full of traditional latvian food with special recipes for Jani Day. Rita, grandma read and talked to all of us at the table about the traditions, we, actually they sang songs, she shared the history and taditions of the day. The we started to eat/ Other guests showed up so we went outside and sang and welcomed them, that happened several times, oh yes and tosted the guests with beer.

 The guests arrived with decorations on their car of maple leaves, garlands, wreaths, so many types. They did teach me how they made and attatched them to the cars. Next Wedding Class we wil do it.

   The next step was for everyone to go into the field to collect 27 different flowers and herbs. This bouquet we are to dry and keep in our homes. If something bad happens we are to take some, make tea and all bad will go away. Love that tradition. Everyone came back to the decorated tent in the clearing with food, glowers, candles. The long table was lovely. There wad a bonfire all stacked up as LandArt, very attractive, rather a shame to burn. The fire was lit, more food cooked outside, laughing, singing, dancing. A friend brought her saxaphone to play like an angel. I showed them some zumba steps, we had fun with that.
  The men made a fire way up on a pole, and lit it. Tradition is that it is a long day, the sun does not set on Latvia this time of the year. The fire in the air shows how the night is light, resembling the sun.
   More dance, foor and beer. I went to bed about 12:30, they stayed up all night, coming back to the sauna about 3:00AM, shower, food, and to bed about 6:00AM. The beginning of Jani Day.
   The family and friends were up around 10:30 with the saxapone announcing breakfast. It was a slow rainy day, great relaxing, nap now and then. The guests started to leave after lunch. About 8:00 the boys went to the lake, made a fire in the water off of the shore.I taught a small class on weaving and making paper flowers, we talked design and trends. The ladies went into the hot tub outside with Birch wine, peony and apple blossoms, candles, some mint...sort of Florist soup instead of Stone Soup. We had strawberry facials, with the new moon overhead. Great sleeping.



   Monday we were up into Riga. We visited the main wholesale house and flower shops. We prpared for tomorrows flight to Russia.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Arriving to Latvia (Latvia&Russia, 2012)

June 21, 22, 23

The flight took off right on time out of Minneapolis. I settled in for a nice sleep. It never really became dark the entire flight, being the longest day of the year. Night never fell going to the East, as it came up. Delightful to actually see and feel the experience.
   I walked off of the plane in Amsterdam to see Astrida, my friend and former student, who spends her summer in her homeland of Latvia. My seat was 24 B, hers was 24 F, directly across the four middle seats from me. Both of us were in the isle seat and did not see each other. We talked, had tea, the three and a half hours went by so fast. It was nice setting with her on the flight as well. We parted at the airport.
   Jani, Daiga,Riona and Eleana were there to meet me with flowers, a flower purse,balloons and Rice Krispy Bars, chocolate with M&M''s---so so wonderful to see them waiting for me. Riona and I meet close to 20 years ago when we took a design class in Lyone,France. A couple of years later I invited her to come to teach in Minneapolis at The Institute of Floristry. She accepted and asked if her teacher can come with her. They came, it was the beginning of a close friend/family relationship. They have been with their families to US many times, this is my fourth time to Latvia.
   This little country on the Baltic Sea was free from Russia for 10 years on my first visit. She was beginning to find herself and her joy and pride again after 50 years of Russian rule. The woman president reinstated the arts, singing,dancing,painting,acting and floral design. She knew that will encourage the population to bring out their best and find joy. Aija's mother was the designer and her school to step up to be the first Floral Design School. Aija , her daughter has taken over the business and is doing an amazing job.
   Riona and Elena, her daughter went to their apartment, Janii, Daiga and I went to the apartment to unload the luggage. We went to eat, walked in Riga city center, walked around the market area.It was a beautiful peaceful evening. Then we took a 20 minute drive to the Baltic Sea shore. The sun was beginning to set, the white fine sand was a bit chilly, clean and crisp, so beautiful.
   Sleep came fast and good. I woke up to a knock on my door, we had breakfast, headed out to the Riga City Center. This is Janas Day Weekend, a celebration weekend in Latvia, four day celebration.The center was filled with vendors selling home made items, crafts, bread,cheese,,beer and flowers,flowers and more flowers. There were many singing and dancing performers on stages all around. The streets heading into the center were also filled with vendors and people.It was filled with music and energy. We went to the market to buy ingredients to cook for the Jani celebration in the country house. The flower market was amazing, all fresh, plants,green, blooming,garden,eating plants.Beautiful , great smells. To a few more stores for just the right items.
   We stopped at Aerodium( www.Aerodium.com). Jani and Daiga had a surprise for me. There is this little place outside Riga where you can go to fly...thatÅ¡ right fly. We went into this area, saw the video and instruction, proceeded to put on our "flight suit", hair net,ear plugs,goggles,helmet. Then to the staging area where we did exercises to loosen our muscles and our minds.A short walk up two flights of stairs, there we were.I stepped in first, the insrtructor suggested putting my arms up as they do in the airport screening,and fall forward. The wind blowing up actually puts you flying. He stayed in there with me,keeping me in the center. At first it was a challange to take a breath from my mouth, from my nose it was good.  Amazing, really brilliant experience, once in a lifetime.We did not purchase any of the pictures.The wind blew my mouth open, my cheeks sunk in , I looked like I could be growling, and I believe drooling some as well . The video did not say to keep your mouth shut!
   Then to the country house to see Aija, the family ,to prepare for the celebration tomorrow. I had some home made beer.Those of me that know that part of me, I never USED to drink beer. It was very good, sort of sweet and smooth after a fine day of flying. We made cheese, garlic bread and so much more for the celebration.
   It will be an early evening for me.