And the Aussies thought they knew how to BBQ!!

Today started with the district conference in Riga where the team gave an unbelievably brilliant presentation! We know the uniform is an important part of the GSE experience, but man, we get some weird looks when we walk down the street looking like this. Following this we headed to the art museum and appreciated some art. We then went for lunch at a place we are finding difficult to describe, it was something like Smorgies/Disneyland on steroids!

Following this we had a bit of down time and then we went out to a BBQ, stopping on the way at the girls hosts beach side home which, aside from the winds blowing off the ice caps, was beautiful.

The BBQ was delicious, honestly we have all been to a few BBQs being Aussies but this was absolutely brilliant.

We are heading off tomorrow to the country region west of Riga and hopefully we will be able to keep you informed of what we are up to in the next week.

love the team.

Professional GSE? For a moment there, Lesley thought she was on the Youth Exchange Program!

Our day began with a visit to the

Ethnographic Open Air Museum, where were were able to visit a settlement reconstructed to show how life was for those early settlers in Riga over the past 800 years. Whether it was the adrenaline still pumping through our veins from the ballet the night before, or perhaps it was just the fresh air, as soon as Christie told Tim he was "it" the rest of the morning was enjoyed with what some might suggest " a refreshing childlike approach" to life. Poor Lesley coped with us brilliantly, she thought her grand kids were hard work.

We then had a tour of how the Latvians make their beer at a place called Bralis where we also enjoyed a huge lunch. Of course samples of beer had to be taken, although Christie and Tim were not quite satisfied with the samples they were given (pictured). Lucky we went there after the open air museum, that's all i can say!

We then went to Turaida Castle in Sigulda approx 60 klm outside of Riga (pictured, looking out from the tower and enjoying the surrounds). The scenery was magnificent from the towers that we climbed. We spent 2 hours waking around the enchanting gardens filled with significant statues and monuments. A very spiritual journey.

We finally made it back to our accommodation where we are going to get ready to head out again to a jazz club in Riga. (Pictured is where the three girls are staying. The owners of the apartment, popped in to say hi on their way out to an evening engagement to make sure we are OK).

Love the team. (Hi Monty :))

Charlie's Angels or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

The team were all suited up today for a huge day in Riga. As the girls walked down the street in their "Men in Black" outfits complete with matching sunglasses, there were many funny looks from passers by and it was commented that they looked like Charlie's Angels.

A Visit to the Laima Chocolate factory (seated on bean bags and then in our lab coats) started our day, and of course we had to sample all the delicious types of chocolate that this huge factory made. We then went to the War museum where were were given a special tour of the details of Dzintra's father (the women who taught us about Latvia in Melbourne) as he was a leader in the Latvian Army in the early 1900's (Pictured on a computer screen with Lesley and Dzintra's childhood friend).

Lunch time came and we had a 2 hour Rotary meeting in which of course we presented to the Dzintars club.

After lunch we were given an opportunity to do our own sight seeing. Lesley and Tim went off to the History Museum of Latvia and the girls enjoy the brilliant 17 degree afternoon in town.

After a rushed dinner we then were taken to the Opera House (pictured with Jackie and Brooke) to see the ballet performance Dangerous Liaisons - a tragic story of a love triangle that went wrong (Jackie was dying to ask Brooke at "half time" what the story was about as the language of dance didn't quite cross all cultural barriers...Hmm).

What's the plan for tomorrow Charlie? Love the Angels!

Vocational visits, Haircuts and more!!!

Today all four team members had a brilliant day in Riga going to our professional workplace counterparts.

Christie went to a women's prison (pictured) and learnt a great deal about the difference in the criminal justice systems between Sweden, Latvia and Australia. She also went to the probation service and it was interesting for her to hear of the progress that they are making in this area.

Tim (pictured standing next to the monument of freedom complete with very serious looking guards) went out into the forest (how many trees can one man see?) and was able to gain a valuable insight into the regeneration of trees here in Riga.

Brooke spent time in a commutations and marketing office where she shared with a funky young promotions professional and she learnt about how large events in Latvia are managed. It was then time for a new haircut (Darren, hope you like it).

Jackie spent the day in Riga Secondary school where she fell in love with the students. The two student leaders (pictured) spent time with her and were very honest about the challenges that face the future of eduction in Riga. These young women were absolutely inspirational and if she could have, Jackie would have packed them in her bag and taken them home.

Just letting you know that we are all safe and sound, we are missing friends and family, but we know that we will be able to tell you all in person more about our wonderful adventures very soon.

About Town in Riga!!!

Take time out this ANZAC day to remember.

Just letting you know the time difference has changed. We have moved forward an hour so we are 7 hours behind AEST.

We started today meeting at the same hotel that the Belgium King and Queen were staying at. Police lined the city streets due to their visit, a motorcade passed us at one stage with approximately 20 black official looking cars and police sirens blaring! We had a walking tour of Riga and were shown all of the sights of the old town. We had lunch (pictured, cold soup and black bread, a traditional Latvian meal) and then went to the Latvian Museum of Occupation which documents Latvia's history under Soviet and Nazi rule, up until 1991.

We gave our first presentation in Latvia at a beautiful hotel (pictured) and met up with Meldra who was a team member from D2410 GSE team who recently came to Australia, it was great to see her again.

Tomorrow we have our vocational days, will keep you posted. Lots of love to you all.

Is Latvia ready for the Aussies?

Well we have arrived safely in Riga, Latvia.

Yesterday we said farewell to our last group of wonderful hosts in Sweden and we were taken back to Stockholm. It seems like yesterday that we were dragging our bags for the first time through the streets of Stockholm to our first nights accommodation in Sweden. Yet when we think about all the wonderful things that we have done, the beautiful people we have met, the amazing adventures we have had the incredible experiences we have enjoyed, the last two weeks seem to have been fuller than a schnapps glass at dinner.

Rotary District 2410, obviously thought that the team needed a little R&R before beginning the second leg of our journey in Latvia. We arrived in the afternoon at a beautiful hotel in Stockholm, complete with Spa, Sauna, Gym, and Bar, all of which were given a good work out by all the members of the team. After enjoying dinner at a French restaurant, we were able to enjoy some time out.

Today Christie and Jackie (pictured) played in their room and watched some English TV, before hitting the shops. The others took to the sites of Stockholm, armed with a Stockholm card, giving them entry into all the wonderful venues that the city had to offer.

By late afternoon, it was time to board out plane to Latvia. We arrived in Riga, to be greeted by the smiling faces of our hosts, a huge welcome sign and we were each given a rose. We are now back in our hosts houses, all feeling a little excited at what tomorrow will bring.

Enjoy your day everybody and keep smiling.

Love The Team