rindiņas beigas (latvian for "end of the line")

Yesterday morning marked the end of Auburn University's 2009 Eastern European Studies program. Our three weeks traveling through the Baltic area taught us a lot. We saw three similar cultures, each with their own language and simple differences. Throughout the trip we were blessed with great guides who organized our daily lives and shared with us the best parts of their cities. The companies we visited showed us a variety of management approaches and interesting business decisions. Most people were very inviting to their American visitors, while few were not as particularly fond.

The underlining fact of our trip was that we had a great group. The good doctor seemed to be able to put up with our antics, and even graced us with his presence on the last night. Also, our two guests continuously provided us with an array of different perspectives. Bruce the Wise (aka The Grim Reaper) was always insightful, and we are very grateful sor his presentation on the last day.

We head separate ways thankful for the opportunities we have in life. Memories of the good and the bad are firmly planted in our minds. Seeing some of the factories and victims of the recession was a bit disheartening, but how each person clinched tightly to their new found freedoms was inspirational. I hope that the nationalism we saw that seemed to coarse through everyone's veins can keep them afloat amidst this recession/depression.

I wish everyone safe travels and the best of luck finishing your studies or beginning post-grad life. Some of us will be traveling around Europe (maybe even chasing girls through, say Croatia...), while the others head home to indulge in those juicy morsels that are Chik-fil-a chicken nuggets. A special thanks to everyone who made this trip possible for each of us, and to everyone who followed our blog: we are truly grateful.

Thanks for following,
Thomas

A Closing Ceremony Unlike Anything Imagined...

Cameron, Whitney, and I got the priviledge to experience a midnight concert by Hedda, a female choir from Norway. They are absolutely incredible, and they are performing Sunday here in Riga. Though the video is twice the Blogger limit, I will post it just as soon as I find a computer that can convert it to a smaller format. Riga has been a blast...thanks for following our journey!

-"Bodie"

View from the Top

Dr. Shook officially ended our program at 5:30 p.m. tonight. These last three weeks have flown by, and I for one cannot believe it's already over. But don't worry, we went out with a bang. We all met at the Skyline Bar for one last hurrah. This particular bar is located on the 26th floor of Hotel Reval and offers the chance to see all of Riga at one time. Although the drinks there are fairly expensive, you can't beat the atmosphere and stunning view. It was so nice for us to be there as group and enjoy our last few hours together.

I can't imagine this trip being any better, and I am so sad to see it end. We can't leave on a sad note though, so enjoy this video. Brandon listened to Alex's advice and started the soul train, and I'm pretty sure the whole bar loved it. If you can't tell that's Brandon, his sister Joy Beth (who flew in this afternoon), Alex, Whitney, Kate & Dr. Shook along with a few locals culturing us on how they dance. Enjoy!

(It's getting really late here, and we have an early flight...video to come!)

Cameron Stallworth

Last day in Riga/Europe

As I write, I am sitting in the Double coffee for the last time with Alex and Karen.  I cannot believe we are going home tomorrow.  Karen is analyzing everyone in the group for us while we eat ice cream.  

We started off our day with a lecture from Bruce on the history of banking.  Afterwards, we headed to Lido, a huge Latvian buffet style restaurant with a small amusement park outside, where we were overwhelmed by all of the types of food available.  We went to the Institute of Solid State Physics for our last company visit.  The combination of the language barrier and the nature of the information went right over my head, but I did enjoy seeing the images on the atomic microscope (just like all of the elementary school students who visit).  The farewell dinner was fairly anticlimactic as not everyone went at the same time.  I hope I get a chance to say goodbye to everyone tonight since those of us going through Amsterdam have to leave the hotel at 4:20 tomorrow morning.  Before we leave in the morning I have to finish my paper for Dr. Shook which is proving to be more difficult then I had expected.  I don't want to be working on it right now, but I am glad to have to think about the trip in terms of how it will help me in my professional life.  To those who out there reading, I hope you have enjoyed the blog, and to my classmates who are continuing their European adventures, have fun and be safe,

Kate

Last Day of the Program

Our last day in Latvia and the first thing we did was listen to Bruce speak about how he acquired his job at an investment bank with a theology degree. He told us about a typical day in his past position and the stress involved with it. After his talk we were shown a YouTube video of the Minister of Finance telling an interviewer that the cause of the economy decline was “nothing special.” We then took a tram to Lido where we ate lunch. Lido is a big buffet style restaurant with an amusement park outside focused on young children. The food was really good and at a great price. Next we rode the tram out to the Institute of Solid State Physics where we listened to a professor speak about the projects going on. Then a few students showed us several laboratories throughout the facility. After the lengthy tram ride back to the hotel we settled down from the day and prepared for our farewell dinner at the University. At the dinner we could choose from assorted fruits and vegetables, salads, some meats and juice or water. We filled out a survey on how we liked the program and said goodbye to Agnese, our guide for the week. Some of us are sad to leave, but it's very bittersweet. A few of the students will continue to roam around Europe while others will head back to the States. It was a great trip and I know all of us are better people for experiencing it together. A big thanks to Dr. Shook for making this possible for us! Signing out of Europe... Whitney

Riga Shopping

Next to our hotel in Riga there is a great shopping mall. One thing that I find different about this mall compared to one back home is the grocery stores and pharmacies found in them. Rimi is a common grocery chain and is the one found in this mall. Just like a Kroger or Publix, Rimi has a produce section, bakery , frozen items, and reading material among other things. Also in the mall there is a pharmacy. It is called Atieka. They are very common especially in Riga. I had an ear issue so I went and explained my situation in English to the pharmacist and she gave me ear drops. There are over 10 different shoe stores and clothing shops throughout the mall. When trying on clothes the lady sizes are like American bra sizes which measures just under the bust. So for example a person who measures 34 would most likely fit into a size 34 top or dress. This is true for the shop I visited, I’m not sure if all the stores size the same way. AS well as clothes and shoes there were a lot of jewelry stores, especially amber stores because this region in famous for their amber. Sounds like a woman’s paradise right? Not only do they have a large selection at this mall, but every store is selling at 50% off! One last interesting thing about the mall is that there are many exits and they all lead you to some different part of the city so you could use the building as a landmark to find your way back to the hotel if you were lost.
-Whitney

Here is a short video we shot on our train ride from Majori to Riga on Tuesday. We have supplementary videos and photos we would like to post, but due to Alex's bedtime, she is kicking us off the internet now. Enjoy the video, and we will try our best to get some pictures up soon!

-"the gang"

P.S.-Alex has redeemed herself! She is giving us just enough time to upload some of the most relevant photos of our day. You rock, Alex! Anyways, here they are...enjoy!

Below: The most important photo belongs to the category of "European swimwear." This pup is modeling the latest Latvian fashions, strutting his/her stuff along the boardwalk of the Baltic Sea. You go, girl...or boy!


This picture of the railroad tracks we traversed to and from Majori demonstrates the tact and wit of the Soviet Union. Not wanting foreign armies to invade by rail, the government created tracks and trains that utilized wider rails and wheels. It is not the most time efficient export tool today, but it is a pickle that seems unlikely to change anytime soon.


For brave young men (and a brave young Whitney...not pictured) rough the freezing ice-filled waters of the Baltic Sea for fifteen (or five, most likely) minutes of glory. In all honesty,the temperature was around 60 degrees, but it helps to exagerate tales such as this.

Finally, the nimbled hands and feet of the fabulous few (alliteration intended) work their magic on the swing set Jeffrey broke five minutes earlier. Cameron, Whitney, Brandon, and Jeffers were accompanied by Alex, Karen, and Dr. Shook, just outside the range of this photo. Woo hoo!