I’ve finally left England and have returned to the Baltic area of the world – and strangely, I couldn’t be happier about it.
I thought about going back to Ireland for a few days after summer school but that would have just meant more talking so that was ruled out. I toyed with the idea of Spain, but decided that the Spanish are also far too friendly. I couldn’t go straight back to Riga as people would just want me to work and I need a little breather.
Palanga Beach
So I find myself in a resort town in Lithuania, which from what I’ve seen so far is just what I need. A 10-minute walk to the centre, a 15-minute walk to the beach, a 2-minute walk to the nearest supermarket to stock up on tea, milk, sugar, water, and of course, beer.
(As I write this, I’m drinking what I hope is a fairly decent local beer – Švyturys – but I’m open to other suggestions. Also, don’t ask me how to pronounce it.)
People!
It’s nice to be back in a place where people have an excuse not to speak good English. I’ve been biting my tongue for the past five weeks, trying not to get beaten up for correcting English people’s English.
Gimpy on bacon: ‘Well, it had been sat there for far too long. It was ‘orrible. I had seconds though…’
Over-enamoured man in bar: ‘I’ve only ever drove past Rugby before…’
Over-enamoured man in bar 2: ‘And nobody did nothing!’
Incredibly annoying Brummie on bus: ‘I’ll call you again when the bus lands at Stansted.’
The funny thing is, as soon as I mention I’m an English teacher, English people guffaw in my face, spluttering ‘You can’t teach English, you’re IRISH!!!’
Yes, clearly they’re doing a much better job.
Anyway, enough about England. It’s back to the land of stunning women, not so stunning men, cheap beer and endless possibilities. My initial impressions are that the locals might be a little bit friendlier than they are in Latvia, and the men, might, just might, be a little easier on the eye.
However, in the interest of research, I’m going to finish this beer, go and have some more beers and make sure.
The things I do for you…
You know you’re back in the Baltics when…
Sean Smithson, this one’s for you.
Expat Eye on Latvia 
thank you for your committed effort to research. glad you snuck away to a relaxing beach vacay! also, you’ve practically started a column for the latvian version of ‘kids say the darnedest things’…oh children.
Back in Riga again now – flat hunting begins tomorrow! I’m sure there’ll be a tale or two in that!
Welcome back to the (almost) motherland!
I’m also going out of my mind over here over the god-awful redneck grammar. The recent biggest loser: “He ain’t never done nuthin’ to you”. Also the ever-present “She done gone and [did something]”. At least the Eastern Europeans have an excuse…
Ha ha, you done gone and said it sister! The standard of English in England in general is appalling. Why anybody goes there to learn the language is beyond me!
Welcome back 🙂 Did you stock up on bacon? Or did the detour to Lithuanian foil the plan.
Yeah, foiled again! It was a 3 hour bus journey to Stansted and an overnight stay in a hotel followed by a 4.5 hour bus journey so I didn’t think it would survive! The Dutchman has it covered though 😉 And I think my friend is coming to stay in October!
4.5 hour bus drive…. too long.
Will it be cold in October? They will need to bring there thermals. I have just had my wood delivered for the winter… such fun ;(
Shouldn’t be too bad in October but then again, you never know! Are you expecting a bad one?? Wood in August!?
If you buy the wood in August, it is 12 months old, dry and will burn properly. If you wait until November the wood will be new wood, normally damp, soggy and the rubbish that no one else wants.
I have a garage that is full of boxes from when I moved to Italy and have still not unpacked and a garage full of wood.
You sound like such an expert 😉 Mrs Sensible must be rubbing off on you! Apart from the unpacking, that is!
I made a huge mistake when I first packed the boxes, I should have itemised the contents on the side of each box. At the moment I have to go and have a good rummage, when I hear “have we still got XXX and do you know where it is?
I guess everyone has their own ‘system’ 😉
Great post! I always want to correct people’s grammar – but I’m not exactly qualified as a teacher, just picky 😉
I don’t think you need to be qualified! It’s just so annoying! This is what I wish I’d done…
Been missing you! Glad you’re done with school and survived!
I come from tough stock 😉 Takes more than 5 weeks of English people to finish me off!
When the bus lands at Stansted!! That one actually amused me 😀 😀
I thought I was hearing things! Funny what people come out with!
That last pic is priceless… and the first one beautiful 🙂
Aw, the stuff people say…. My pet hate:” X and myself went to the party.” MYSELF?!? WTF!!!!! Even supposedly ‘educated’ folk come out with this clanger all the frickin’ time. I despair.
Luckily, I could hardly make out any grammar with the impenetrable accents and all-pervasive swearing – it could have been much worse! Yes, the beach is lovely here – and that chick caught my eye on the walk back! 🙂
Best photo opps are always the unexpected ones 🙂
Let’s see what I can come up with tonight! Better finish this beer and get moving! So lovely not having to set an alarm for the morning! 🙂
Enjoy your few days of REAL holiday – you deserve it! And keep an eye out for Balticisms 🙂
My eye is trained for that now! Spotted a beaut earlier but would have been too obvious to take a photo – bright pink backless top, leopard-print bra, jeans with half the thighs cut out of them and faux crocodile skin toeless boots… Classic 😉
Oh my!!! What a gem that would have been…
She got off in Klaipeda I think so I probably won’t run into her again! There’ll be others though – of that I’m pretty certain!
OMG, my flatmate from hell was from there… full of nutters, that place!
I might take a day trip 😉
Well, in that case… watch out for a tall woman with dyed blonde her and a very ‘Lithuanian’ face. I don’t need to explain this one to you. As soon as she starts talking about angels and vibrational frequencies, RUN! DO NOT, under any circumstances, lend her any money.
I barely have enough money for myself but she sounds like a fun night out! 🙂
Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
Noted 😉 Sounds like everyone else is coming home. I’m just getting ready to go out. Have a feeling they might be woken up by the ‘porno’ shoes later 😉
Well, have fun… and break a leg 😉
Don’t say that! The Baltics aren’t very cripple-friendly! 🙂
What?! The woman in the last picture was but a torso, and she was STILL smiling!
They’re much nicer to women who permanently have their boobs out 😉
There you go. The icy breeze on those Baltic beaches will keep them nice and pert!
Beautiful day at the moment! Bit of a late start though 😉 Landlady just delivered soup to my door – nice!
A late start, but clearly a good one 🙂 Enjoy your ‘breakfast’.
Chicken soup for breakfast – yum yum! Luckily, I’d sorted out the tea situation yesterday 😉 The cooker is terrifying though – had to get a stunning Lithuanian to help me. Gas scares me 😉
With the tea situation resolved, nothing can get to you.
Exactly 😉 Well, I need to check my bank balance after last night. That might throw a little spanner in the works!
You can ALWAYS buy a cup of tea. Or make one. Or write a blog post 🙂
Thank god for that! 🙂