Midsummer and Jonines

June 21:  The sun rose at 3:48 AM and set at 9:22, but the curvature of the earth meant that this was the view outside my window at 11:00 at night.  It never really got dark.  This makes it difficult to get to sleep, even though my bedroom is dark, because I don't think in terms of going to bed until about midnight.  As a result, I tend to sleep until perhaps 8:00 if I don't make myself get up.  This is rather disturbing to me, since I am generally a morning person.

The locals have designated the day as a celebration of St John and call it Jonines.  The festivities include much greenery such as the swags on the bridge.  We also had to walk under an arch of greenery to get to the dance floor.

It was an opportunity wear fancy ethnic clothing.  I really want one of these outfits.  I can just see myself sharing about my experiences to a group in the States in a long pleated plaid skirt with a fancy apron , blouse and vest.

I noticed several differences between this festival and one that might take place in the US.  There were close to 100 people on the dance floor and many hundreds more on the surrounding hills listening to the music.  For this group of people, there were perhaps ten concession stands and only one that served alcohol.  In addition to being non alcoholic and non commercial, the atmosphere was decidedly family with many young children around.  And people who came to dance really danced.  It was not just those who were in fancy dress who participated.  The organizers were well prepared.  They had at least three bands.  When one got tired they just brought in another.

       The last part of the festival was the lighting of the bond fire.  I took a photo of the prepared wood.  I stayed until 10:00 and decided that it would never get dark enough for the fire and went home.  But, it was a fun time.  Now the days are getting shorter.  I am not excited.        
                                                                                                                  

Easter

I know I am a bit behind the times, but I lost my camera and it took me a while to feel comfortable with my new one.  So, I am giving you an update.  Easter seemed to begin several weeks early when the mall started selling candy and set up this Easter Bunnies in a cart.  I felt like I was in consumer America.
                                                                                                              

 I spent Easter weekend in Riga, Latvia.  My office mate worked there some years ago and has friends who hosted us.  We spent the first day viewing the old town area.  The Latvians have reconstructed many of the medieval buildings sometimes using original specs. (The city was bombed heavily during WW2)






Some of the buildings are original, like this church.  It was a Catholic Church that the Lutherans took over at the Reformation.  It was the most ornate Lutheran Church I have seen, though there were no stained glass windows.  They had all been blown out during the war.
                                                                                                             

And then I saw some relatively new buildings like this one from the Soviet era.  The Latvians saved this one and turned it into  the Occupational Museum.  I thought that it was a museum featuring various occupations of Latvians.  Then I realized that it was an historical museum featuring the Soviet occupation.  I did not have the emotional energy to see what was inside.

That evening we went to a concert at the Opera House.  The hall was magnificently decorated and the choir sang very well.

I went to the local Salvation army for Easter services.  A very good experience

Monday we went to to open air museum, a lot like Wisconsin Old World Museum.  However of course the only ethic community represented were Latvians.  One of the buildings was a wooden church that as ornate as some cathedrals I've seen but all in wood.  Very impressive.


After this we took the four hour bus trip back to Klaipeda and the last week of classes.

T