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