I went to Latvia last week. Though it was only 3 days it took a lot of time to prepare for it. I enjoy going back to Latvia twice a year. Lately I’m going alone without family. I get some of my own time and relax without worrying about things.

My reason for visit was my best friends baby 1 year celebration. He is quite adorable.. Also I get handle of situation in Latvia when I talk with friends and family.

Everyone knows that there is economic crisis all over globe. Latvia is no exception. And I think it even worse because there is a lot of really poor people in Latvia. There is a big depression everywhere. People are loosing jobs, don’t have enough money and it is very hard to find new job.

When Latvia stepped in EU 2,5 years ago, prices started to raise. Now groceries prices are the same as in Ireland. However salaries never grown as fast. The minimal wage is still around 170 EUR. The salaries are going down again because of crisis and unemployment. I don’t like companies using people with small salaries just because they know that those people can’t find job elsewhere.

Government institutions are letting go people as well. And I completely disagree with it. There still will be work for government and there will be more work for employees.

People still believe that government should fix everything. I think that is quite old thinking. Especially if government is quite corrupt and there is bureaucracy everywhere. I would expect people to start doing something themselves.

However nobody can take loans, mortgages or credits in Latvia. Banks just don’t give any. Nobody is building houses any more and the prices are still falling. Rent prices are just unbelievable low. A lot of people with big mortgages try to rent apartment at low prices to get at least some money back.

I’m happy to be home again but I’m worried about my family in Latvia. I hope my description about things here isn’t too bad (it’s really hard to explain something in not native language). Though there is a big problems in Latvia now, it is still very beautiful:

So it is this time of year again Halloween is in the air and all kids get even more excited then for Christmas presents.

My daughter got a Halloween Parade in her school. Everyone dressed up and went to Stillorgan shopping centre today, sang some songs and gave donations to India immersion fund. I wish somebody would celebrate Halloween when I was small (^^)… So much fun and chocolate (did I told you I am chocoholic?)

Here is some photos