Author Archives: BerLinda

About BerLinda

Adjusting to life in Germany, after living in Latvia for four years. Should be easy, right?

I’m in a book!

Posted on October 5, 2015 by BerLinda

Or, at least, I’m going to be. It all started one evening when I was working hard arsing around on Facebook, and Veronica from The Dangerously Truthful Diary of a Sicilian Housewife popped up for a chat. We engaged in some … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | 16 Comments

Expat has left the building

Posted on September 9, 2014 by BerLinda

So Latvia, it seems like our time together has come to an end. Now, now, hold it together. It’s true that we’ve had our ups and downs, but I like to think that, overall, it’s been more positive than negative. … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Latvia, Latvian people, Travel | Tagged Carpe Diem, Emigration, Emotions, Leaving Latvia, Life, moving to Germany, The end of Expat Eye on Latvia | 164 Comments

The Russian does Riga

Posted on September 6, 2014 by BerLinda

Wednesday saw the arrival of my new best friend, Anna. Long-time readers will know that Anna and I have been following each other’s blogs for a while now and have become friends through lengthy comment and email chains – mainly bonding over … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Humor, Humour, Latvia, Riga, Travel | Tagged beer, Berga Bazars, Black Balzams, Black Magic Cafe, Cadets de Gascogne, Cathedrals, Cocktails, Flowers, Flying Frog Cafe, Food, LIDO, Mushrooms, Parks, Photos, Russia, Short break in Riga, Skyline Bar, Sunshine, Walking tour | 152 Comments

Like Latvia, or else…

Posted on August 31, 2014 by BerLinda

Latvians have this quirky little habit of overselling everything that is Latvian. Everything from the crumbling charms of Kalnciema Kvartals, to the ramshackle one-horse town that is Pavilosta, has been described to me as “stunning”. Actually, it’s probably advisable not … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Humour, Latvia, Riga, Travel | Tagged Cats, David Brent, If you like Latvia Latvia likes you, Places of Interest, Rundale Palace, tourism | 154 Comments

Why do people move to Latvia?

Posted on August 27, 2014 by BerLinda

Should you take the leap and decide to move to Latvia, the first question you will probably be asked is “Why did you move to Latvia?”. Closely followed by, “But why? Why Latvia?”. Now I know why I moved here, … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Latvia, Latvian people, Moving to Riga, TEFL, Travel | Tagged decisions, Expats, Leopard print, Living in Latvia, Moving to Latvia, Sigulda, TEFL, why do people move to Latvia, Working in Latvia | 133 Comments

Jānis and Gunta, sittin’ in a tree…

Posted on August 23, 2014 by BerLinda

I recently agreed to do an interview for The Northern California Review (ZK Apskats) – a bulletin published by the Northern Californian Latvian Association. While my dealings with the Latvian media have been, on the whole, dire, I thought that this might … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture and Traditions, Expat, Humor, Humour, Latvia, Latvian people, Travel | Tagged Creating stereotypes, Estonians, Interviews, Lithuanians, Northern Californian Latvian Association, Stereotypes | 196 Comments

The Latvians’ Lair

Posted on August 20, 2014 by BerLinda

Oh Latvians! You thought you were home free, didn’t you? You thought I wouldn’t find it. I know what you were thinking – “Well, she’s been here nearly four years and she hasn’t found it yet. What are the chances … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Expat, Fashion, Humor, Humour, Latvia | Tagged Bralis bar, Bralis beer, Latvian secrets, Leopard print | 172 Comments

The Fear

Posted on August 17, 2014 by BerLinda

With just over three weeks remaining until I up sticks and move to Berlin, it’s fair to say that THE FEAR has me firmly in its clutches. I’d estimate that around 5% of me is excited, while the other 95% … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Latvia, Travel | Tagged Business in Latvia, Leaving Latvia, Leopard print, Moving country, moving to Germany, Sausage, TEFL | 156 Comments

And people say my area is dodgy…

Posted on August 13, 2014 by BerLinda

Another weekend, another “district” challenge. On Saturday afternoon, I walked to the back of Central Station, which is where the crème de la crème of Riga society is known to hang out. I think the pecking order is decided by … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Expat, Fashion, Food, Humor, Humour, Moving to Riga, Riga, Travel | Tagged districts of Riga, dodgy bars, Drunks, Hangovers, homeless, Kundzinsala, Latvian people, Milgravis, Sarkandaugava, Trams, trolley buses, where not to live | 96 Comments

If you can’t beat ’em, ROARRR!

Posted on August 10, 2014 by BerLinda

I had planned on this being the last ever post on Expat Eye on Latvia, but I’ve never been known for my restraint. Call it a case of premature publication, if you will. When my friend Lāsma (which definitely doesn’t … Continue reading →