Word for the Travel Wise (10/17/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

It’s been a while since I had a Latvian word and with winter right around the corner I’d like to suggest travel to the town of Sigulda. Known as a minor health resort and winter sports center it sounds as if you can get a very good back massage which should be much after spending a day on the bobsled run. See Lonely Planet’s short description of Sigulda.

Today’s word is a Latvian word used in Latvia:

mugura – back

To learn Latvian online for free you’ll need to be resourceful. Start with this Latvian Institute website full of info on the country and a short page dedicated to the lang and some common words which include axe, broom, pea, and beard. The Latvian tourism site has few, but far more useful in terms of greetings. If you’re more about face-to-face language practice head to the American Latvian Association’s annual meeting in April. As always find out who on My Language Exchange would be willing to help.

Past Latvian words: cirvis, dzintars

Word for the Travel Wise (04/09/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Earlier today I took a little time
to polish my silver jewelry (a chore I truly dislike doing) and couldn’t help admiring an old piece of amber I’d gotten
in San Francisco’s China Town. It was my first real piece of amber and who would have guessed that piece would have
inspired me to consider travel to the Baltic, where amber can be found in droves? At least that is what I’m told. The
more I began looking at the different kinds of amber;green, yellow and brown and discovering how unique each one was I
couldn’t  help thinking what it must be like shopping for it in Europe.

Today’s word is a Latvian word used in Latvia:

dzintars – amber

I’m not certain how Latvia ranks in finding
extremely unique pieces of dzintars or amber, but a day spent shopping for jewelry in Latvia has got to be
quite different than the time I spent in China Town.

To learn Latvian online for free you’ll need to be
resourceful. Start with this Latvian Institute website full of info on the country
and a short page dedicated to the lang and some common words which include axe,
broom, pea, and beard. The Latvian tourism site has few, but far more useful in terms of
greetings. If you’re more about face-to-face language practice head to the American
Latvian Association’s annual meeting this coming April. As always find out who on My Language Exchange would be willing to help.

Past
Latvian words: cirvis

Red Corner: Vilnius, Tallinn, and Riga

by Neil Woodburn on

The Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the last to be incorporated into the Soviet Union, and boy do they show it. The extra 20 years of European influence can still be seen today as these three countries, now independent, are rapidly becoming hot tourist destinations-thanks in large part to this quaint European vibe still very much alive.

The flavor of these three capitals is succinctly captured in an LA Times piece by Beverly Beyette who heaps accolades upon the Art Nouveau façades of Riga, the walled old town of Tallinn, and the hidden courtyards of Vilnius. Vilnius, however, was Beyette’s least favorite of the three capitals, but one which I particularly like; it just takes a little bit more exploring to fully enjoy it.

This fairy tale ambience of the Baltics, however, is offset by dark memories of Soviet and Nazis abuses. Although she doesn’t write too much about it, Beyette does delve outside the idyllic comfort zone of her travels to visit the horrific Museum of Genocide Victims in Vilnius and The Museum of Occupations in Tallinn. A few hours in either one of these museums can ruin your whole day with the horrors contained within; it is a necessity, however, when visiting the Baltics.

Red Corner: Baltic Summer

by Neil Woodburn on

Summer is still a little ways off but not so far that you can’t start thinking about where to go. And if Europe is on your mind, but the crowds that plague the Mediterranean make you cringe, then consider vacationing a bit further north in the Baltics.

The weather is a tad cooler, and the water is not as clear, but otherwise the miles of coastline meandering through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia offer wonderful summer possibilities. I spent a couple of June weeks in the coastal resort town of Jurmala, Latvia a few summers ago and found it to be relaxing, quaint and quite beautiful. Not only is it much cheaper than Greece or the coast of Spain, but Boris Yeltsin has a summer house there and if you’re really lucky, he might invite you over to play some tennis if he’s not dead yet.

And if you think the Baltic coast is full of old USSR sanatoriums and Intourist hotels, spare a moment to check out this wonderful old Art Nouveau hotel in the seaside town of Pärnu.

Red Corner: Baltic Spas

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m not sure how I got on the theme of bathhouses and saunas this week, but the fact is that such methods of relaxation have a long history in the former communist lands and today remain extraordinarily popular throughout this part of the world.

The sanatorium (more commonly referred to as a spa today) was a favorite during communist times. Unions and factories often sent their workers here on paid holidays to relax and reenergize. The sick and infirm also came to rid their bodies of everything from digestive problems to insomnia-thanks to the area’s abundant supply of mineral-rich, natural hot springs famed for their miraculous curative powers.

One of the more popular regions in which to spa are the Baltics. With a long and rich tradition of aristocratic sanatorium dating back to the 1800s, (Tchaikovsky regularly visited spas in Haapsalu, Estonia) the Baltics are an attractive draw for those seeking the miracle waters.

Check out the following article for a nice history of the Baltic spa tradition, as well as an extensive list of the more popular ones still operating today. Those of you who are doctors can chuckle over the long list of ailments which can supposedly be treated at the facilities.