WONERLAND....
Hi everyone !
Most of you all, my friends, wanted to hear from me more about Latvia. Some of you already know this country, some not. I am interested too in any country which I could learn through you. So, I will try read yours blogs as much as I can, and therefore find out more about your countries and cultures drawn by your's experience.
Some years ago I was studying English in London, Wimbledon school of English, where I met a lot of students from different countries around the world. Most of them were from China, Corea, Japan and France - and I’d like to say, this situation is very similar. I was learning more and more every day about England and other countries as well as my own. I was very glad for that short period there.
Also, I would like to thank you all for yours comments according to my posting again. I really like to read them and I learn from them a lot as well. In my further blogs I will try to answer to your questions step by step via my regular issues. I do not know will I have time enough for everything. We will see. So, just keep reading.
Now, in such a nice and sunny Friday afternoon, I would like to write about Latvia, where now is cold winter yet. Latvia as a country is very beautiful, with fantastic nature and strong culture. I promise, about this beautiful side of Latvia I will talk in some another blog...
So, for today I have a little bit of facts about living and working in Latvia. I believe that my country is excellent place where to go for holidays enjoy the culture and wildlife, but less good place for permanent living and working.
-> In Latvia live 2.27 million people and various statistic resources shows us, that about 300 thousands of Latvian has left their country, and live in different countries (mostly, Ireland, UK, US).
-> Average week salary in Latvia is about 75 Latvian Lats, that's about £ 85. But prices in Latvia in most positions are very similar to UK. By the way, experiment made by me show that in England with such salary to live is even easier than in Latvia (in this case I do not include payments for living place: rent, bills etc.).
-> EU statistic shows that corruption in Latvia is one of highest level in EU.
I just like this corruption definition: an action is corrupt when an individual uses a public position for private, usually pecuniary gain in a manner deemed unacceptable in that particular country’s political culture…
It is usually thing in Latvia when a government and party figures used their privileged position to get some benefits for them. What is more – number of them are not shamed at all to spend government money for their personal matters also.
-> Do you know that it is not very hard to get some information from government institution if you are payable (here I made some experiment as well; I tested how easy it is to get confidential information)? And sometimes you do not need even money…
-> And it is not a big deal to pay policeman and get free, if you, for example, driving car exceed speed. But what can we expect, if they earn just about £ 85 in a week.
-> I would like to say that leading power in Latvia limit people’s freedom as well. And of course, there is no escaping from fact, that even most of Latvia’s journalists are unable to write about what they know, because they are scared from influences from aside…
I'd like to compare my country with a wonderland – where everything is possible…if… :)
Well that’s all for today. I hope I did not sound too sad, because, actually I am not. I am patriot of my country, but I like truth. I do not like lies. And I wrote just facts, nothing else.
Next time I will write something positive and nice, for instance, about my hobbies. And here are some photos from capital city of Latvia (Riga), seaside and others.
Have a nice weekend.
See you tomorrow….
Comments
llze, I think that you are right, and unfornunately all countries has the same problem with politician, here in Brazil we are facing this kind of situation every time. Your country is looking good, and we have to know other culture and costumes, i am waiting for your next posts. Regards
Hello Ilze, speaking of the dark side of things, it's everywhere I would probably say that there's not a single country which has clean hands so don't worry. I liked the shots you have posted. I'm looking forward to reading about your hobbies and interests and of course more about Lativia. Best wishes, Naheed
hi, yes I could say Lavia is a wonderland. I saw some pictures elsewhere about the country side and during the winter, it is such a charming spectacle
hi, yes I could say Lavia is a wonderland. I saw some pictures elsewhere about the country side and during the winter, it is such a charming spectacle
Don't worrie Ilze. Your post doesn't sound sad. Just Realistyc, and that's allways a good thing. But I'm sure you have lot of good things to tell us about Latvia, and I ussually prefer to hear first the bad news and after the good ones. Till next
Hello Ilze, Thanks for your long report about your country. I'm not surprised about what you have written and it is not special for Latvia. I think it could be a description of Germany, Kenya, Poland or other countries, too. But do you really think it is the best way to leave the native country then? When all people who not agree with the situation in their country would go away who shall change this situation. Think about B. Obama and "yes, we can!" I'm looking forward to reading your opinion on my question. Warm greetings, Felicitas
Hi....er..Autually ,I don't know what to say. I feel the love from your heart ,and I hope to be your friend .
Well, the first time I've heard about Latvia. One thing I concerned is that the corruption. It seems to exist in all countries, all societies. There's something similar to my countries (of course I'm also a patriot of my country, and either tell the truth).. Journalists sometime cannot write what they know, someone was put in prison because they wrote about high man in government, because they wrote about the corruption,..It's so sad, but that's the truth. And especially about the human right.. Well, we have only one Party in my country, that's why they can do what they want.. Regards, Thong Nguyen
Well, the first time I've heard about Latvia. One thing I concerned is that the corruption. It seems to exist in all countries, all societies. There's something similar to my countries (of course I'm also a patriot of my country, and either tell the truth).. Journalists sometime cannot write what they know, someone was put in prison because they wrote about high man in government, because they wrote about the corruption,..It's so sad, but that's the truth. And especially about the human right.. Well, we have only one Party in my country, that's why they can do what they want.. Regards, Thong Nguyen
Hi Ilze! Riga is really fantastic :-). I´m looking forward to hearing about your hobbies. All the best, Ana Paula.
Well, after reading your blog, I felt the full of impressing of you about that you are so a brave person because the most people want to say good things about thier country even though it's not true. Actually, nowadays, we have changed a government since in 2008. After that, I feel that's really really ridiculous because they seem like to want to control mess media for achieving their purposes easily. I don't understand why they do that, I don't want my country to be back to in 1980s. So I often saw protests againt the government. When I saw that, I thought that when my country indeed become the steady country in a democracy from freedom of speaking and criticism about many policies of the government. I know it needs time a lot to become it. By the way, we don't know each other but I'm influenced by your brave acting ..thanks you. Have a good day...
Hello! Your English since pretty good. I know nothing about Latvian and Jersey. Tell us more about these places and your way of living: the type of house, the food, habits...
Hi Ilze. I've been searching in wikipedia about Latvia and Riga. Winter temperatures can reach -40ºC. How can you live there. As a citizen of a warm country it seems me impossible. See you, Toni.
I got through all your writing. Before your introduction of your country, Latvia, I have almost known nothing about the country except I have a littel memory that if your country's football team ever qualified final match. that's all. Just like lots of people feel mystery of China, so do I to Latvia. I suppose it must be a very nice place where I could have a chance to go. You talked of a lot about corruption exsiting in Latvia, and you dislike the kind of matter. In fact, as I konw, in China, also much corruption here and there. the government officers make use of their power deprived of from people, to gain profits for themselves. Most of them have beatiful house or appartment and car. but contrasting this, normal people have to reside in dark and small house to live up. It is unfair at all. but this is fact, and we can do nothing except receiving all of these. large qutities of dissient have been harrassed or detained. sometimes I also watch american film, still a lot of corruption there, so I guess each government whatever it is located Aisa, africa, europ or america, there must exsit corruption there. Governer always can find a way to acquire their profits. that is my point. maybe it is less corruptive in some country, which I hope to see. I wish I were too pessimistic about that. anyway, thank you for your writing, that let me get a knowledge of Latvia. see you.
Hi Ilze, Honestly, I did not know anything about your country until I read your blogs. The first impression about your country is beautiful through your pics. Hope that I will have a chance standing in the right center of capital of Lavia one day like you and perhaps, raise Vietnam 's flag together with Latvia's flag. Looking foward to your nex blog. Th.
One of my greatest concern for my coutry is the education.It becomes worse and worse everyday but thanx for the internet,we can get to learn many things more not just from school.I always dream of being able to go around the world and bring back the best for my country.Hope to be ur friend,anyway...
Latvia seems like a beatiful place. I briefly studied Latvian here in the USA at the University of Washington. I've always wondered why it is that so many Latvians seem to move away from their homeland. I've heard different complaints from Latvian immigrants here in Seattle, Washington about what they think the problems are. I am a contractor for the Government in the United States and I can tell you that while corruption does exist in most countries in the world (including the USA) our country actually has a working system of purging the government of these types of corrupt officials. (It's called the FBI and 'Freedom of Speech') It actually works! You should read up on the Governor of Illinois, named "Rod Blagojevich". A perfect example of corruption in USA State Government that was brought down by the FBI. I hope Latvian's can peacfully challenge their own country's status-quo and bring positive change to the nation. It's not right that politicians and government workers are allowed to spend tax-payer money on questionable items. If they do, they should be fined or jailed accordingly. (Or at least voted out of office.)
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