Musings from Latvia

I am visiting Latvia again. This time purely for vacation. I am attending Ligo, the celebration of midsummer.

The radio stations are competing - who can play most Ligo related songs? Who can turn the traditional music into a modern tune? Who broadcast the worst version?The stations broadcast an amazing variety - from quasi heavy tunes to sarcastic versions. And inbetween they manage to play the traditional ones too. And those are pretty nice.

Along the road are people. We pass them in our car, and I notice that the traditional dresses they wear serves a purpose other than looking nice. They all have vast collections of flowers, and oak leaves. The purpose of dressing up is to put up a show of marketing. Making sure the passing drivers realize that the flowers are for sale.

We stoped at a field and picked us some flowers. Flowers in the hair, mine is behind the ear.

We arrived at an eco farm where the family brewed their own beer. I later learned that every farm make their own beer for Ligo. The diversity in taste where impressive. I liked them all.

People in all ages attended. Ligo is a family event. We camped by a small lake, swim in the morning and danced throughout the night.

The mosquitos where pretty bad, until you got used to all the females wanting your blood. And speaking of ladies - they dressed up in their national dresses, and had flowers in their hair. As you can see, they where amazing!

Such beauty, joy and love of life is a great reminder of why one should remember to celebrate life in all it's incarnations and variations. I truly enjoyed this visit. My thanks to the Dolmane family for inviting me and so many others to attend this spectacular event! Here they are, mother and daugther.

-- Post From My iPhone