Hello everyone!  We meet again, and so soon after Costa Rica.  (BTW additional pics are up of Costa Rica, viewable on lancedarcy.com.)  It’s time once more to head out into the wide world.    

In about a week mom and I depart for Riga, Latvia, transiting through London.  Originally, Brexit promised to create difficulty, as we would now travel through more borders.  However, the once mighty Brits are realizing breaking up is hard to do.  Also, it turns out the Leave Campaign promised a lot, but lofty, nationalist rhetoric does not a livable policy make.  Does make convincing commercials and stump speeches, though.  

I realize Latvia is an odd choice — the Branson, MO of the E.U.  Primarily a Russian beach and second home destination, after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Latvia, hoisting high a metaphoric middle finger to its former “occupiers” (their words, not mine), hitched up to the E.U. instead.  They joined in 2004.  Living well is the best revenge.   

My great grandmother was born in Latvia in 1890.  She is why we’re going.  We called her Gramie or Gram (her actual name was Mina).  She left in 1913 and sailed to the new world chaperoning a younger woman.  She worked as a servant for the woman’s family. She never saw Riga or most of her family again.  

I think she would be shocked to find us pilgriming to her home country.  She loved the U.S. with the passion only an immigrant has and saw no reason to ever leave.  She unapologetically proclaimed the U.S. as the best country, and with equal passion hated Russians.  She refused to teach her children Latvian, instead wanting them to speak perfect English to better assimilate.  When my mother told her she was going to Europe for a junior year abroad program, Mina’s response was essentially, “Why bother?”

Mom and I are staying near the central part of Riga, which is the Old City area everyone thinks of when picturing Latvia.  We depart a week from Friday, arriving in Riga late Saturday night.  (We’re actually spending most of the day in Gatwick waiting to connect.)

As usual I’ll be taking pictures and sending daily commentary.  My faithful Editor (and wife), RBD, will not be with us.  I’ll try and keep the spelling errors to a low roar.  If you see any pictures you like, please let me know and I’d be happy to send you a digital copy.  If you want something printed and authenticated, I can do that too but printing and framing have some costs.

I cannot say it enough:  Thank you all for coming along.  Self expression needs an audience — otherwise I’m just emoting in the dark to myself and that’s zero fun —  so I greatly appreciate your time and willingness to come along.  This list has grown from a handful to about 50.   

That said, if you’d like to unsubscribe, I understand.  No hard feelings.  Lots of people can’t stand me, my former bosses for examples.  Either let me know or use the link at the bottom. 

We will meet again from JFK a week from Friday.  

Till then, be well.