Category Archives: Expat

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

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

A public “apology”

Posted on August 7, 2014 by BerLinda

I had hoped to ride out the rest of my time here on a wave of sunshine, lollipops and rainbows, but then something came up – namely, my hackles. On Monday, I received this as a private message: Dear Linda … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, TEFL, Travel | Tagged Blogging, bullies, Dirty old men, Education, English, grammar, slander, trolls | 197 Comments

You’ll miss me when I’m gone

Posted on August 3, 2014 by BerLinda

Well, my dear Latvians, our time together is almost at an end. Try to hold back the tears. While I know that you’ll miss me desperately, fear not, there are several other foreigners out there writing blogs on Riga/Latvia too. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Food, Humor, Humour, Latvia, Latvian people, Riga | 182 Comments

For the love of Latvian men

Posted on July 30, 2014 by BerLinda

The other day, I received an interesting message. It was from a Scandinavian girl wondering what it’s like to date a Latvian man. Now, I get messages all the time from men asking about Latvian women. These conversations generally go like this. … Continue reading →

Posted in Expat, Humor, Humour, Latvia, Latvian men, Latvian women, Love and Relationships, Social Issues | Tagged alcoholism, Cheating, Dating a Latvian, Gender equality, Gender roles, Janis, Latvian men's reputation, Love, reverse sexism, Sex, vanity | 173 Comments

It drives me crazy

Posted on July 26, 2014 by BerLinda

Walking around Riga can sometimes feel a bit like being an extra in ‘Night of the Living Dead’. Nobody seems to be aware of their surroundings or any of the other people around them – sometimes I wonder how anyone … Continue reading →