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...thatš 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.
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