Just the thought of a 3-day weekend makes Americans giddy with boyish excitement. Let me, however, suggest an even better alternative: the 5-day weekend. Yes, the U.S. may be the model for freedom, but Latvians have the right idea about holidays. Today begins May Days, a combination of 3 separate holidays (labor day, independence day, and some other day that apparently merits leisure) into one super holiday. This place is dead right now - stores closed, streets substantially less crowded, and I happen to be the only one in the office today, the only reason being to have internet access. It's great. They will have concerts and festivals in the squares and parks all 5 days. So from the beautiful city of Riga, Latvia...Happy May Days!
On a separate note, Phillip and I have discovered a tricky new way to deal with pesky street vendors and guys that follow you around prodding you into their strip clubs. These guys are obnoxious. They always approach everyone immediately speaking English, assuming all are foreigners. When approached, I immediately begin speaking Spanish while Phillip speaks German simultaneously. Their reactions are priceless. Some of them give a very blank look of confusion; others just seem to fade away in a perceivable state of sheepishness. Naturally, we feel very clever and laugh (in Spanish and German, of course).
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