And then there was one ( and a bit)
Well as suspected this week ( yesterday) saw the demise of the last Stars Bar in Riga, with previous one in Lacsplace closing some months ago. So for those of us who remain we are but left with the old faithful Paddies.
Of course there is also Alberts , but unfortunately at least for me they no longer sell my flavour of beer.
It is interesting to note that Paddies was the first pub I was ever in in 1995, and now it appears it will be the last, and in truth of late it was (is) the only pub that felt like a Pub - So Riga has seen over the recent times the closure of De Lacy's - Dickens - Star (Stella) chain of three - I suspect Riga now has the lowest number of "Pubs" in the Baltics. So perhaps for those astute and financially endowed persons now is the time to give serious consideration to opening a competitive Pub in Riga - I think we need one.
Now speaking of dissapearing things - does anyone know what happened to young C.... (English - dealer of sorts) - he has just disappeared - me thinks therein lies a tale. Likewise this month (29th) sees the departure of J.... ( Australian/Latvian - consulate superb) - so if any of you who new him would like to wish him farewell, I am sure he would be great full for a call or e-mail.
Many of you will remember T.. ( American - famed for his hearty laugh and weird candles). Well much against the advice of all he is off to America with his beloved lady S.... (Russian - also into weird candles) to get married. Indeed as I write it may well already have happened. One of the many benefits ? he will gain is an instant family - and for her part she will permitted to reside in the US of A - not sure who is getting the better deal. However notwithstanding my personal misgivings I wish them both well, and trust they prove us all wrong.
This weekend sees the return of Heineken Rugby, so for the small group of us left with an interest in rugby it will a return the village lounge to watch and hopefully enjoy. It is sad to think that not so long ago we had enough people ( 20+) to host a completion to forecast the highest number wins, now at best we would have three people.
Riga and Latvia are again making news, but let me give to two pieces of relatively good news.
(1) Riga will launch in partnership with Air Baltic a Ls 5m marketing campaign to promote tourism in Riga - called "LIVE RIGA" - let us but hope it successful - and
(2) Finally Riga City council is to crack down on the rip off bars and clubs, as of 3rd October police can shut them down - we can but hope it works
Both stories can be found at http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/tourism/
So there we are disappearing pubs and people, and it looks like this forthcoming Remembrance Sunday I will be making the journey alone, and on the subject of journeys alone - young A.... ( Australian/Latvian - king of Latvian souvenirs) is off to roam the mountains of Lebanon this weekend. He expects to walk around a thousand kilometers !!! Apparently this is annual thing for him to renew his energies - to him I take my hat off and wish him well - it will be interesting to hear his tales when he returns.
Of course there is also Alberts , but unfortunately at least for me they no longer sell my flavour of beer.
It is interesting to note that Paddies was the first pub I was ever in in 1995, and now it appears it will be the last, and in truth of late it was (is) the only pub that felt like a Pub - So Riga has seen over the recent times the closure of De Lacy's - Dickens - Star (Stella) chain of three - I suspect Riga now has the lowest number of "Pubs" in the Baltics. So perhaps for those astute and financially endowed persons now is the time to give serious consideration to opening a competitive Pub in Riga - I think we need one.
Now speaking of dissapearing things - does anyone know what happened to young C.... (English - dealer of sorts) - he has just disappeared - me thinks therein lies a tale. Likewise this month (29th) sees the departure of J.... ( Australian/Latvian - consulate superb) - so if any of you who new him would like to wish him farewell, I am sure he would be great full for a call or e-mail.
Many of you will remember T.. ( American - famed for his hearty laugh and weird candles). Well much against the advice of all he is off to America with his beloved lady S.... (Russian - also into weird candles) to get married. Indeed as I write it may well already have happened. One of the many benefits ? he will gain is an instant family - and for her part she will permitted to reside in the US of A - not sure who is getting the better deal. However notwithstanding my personal misgivings I wish them both well, and trust they prove us all wrong.
This weekend sees the return of Heineken Rugby, so for the small group of us left with an interest in rugby it will a return the village lounge to watch and hopefully enjoy. It is sad to think that not so long ago we had enough people ( 20+) to host a completion to forecast the highest number wins, now at best we would have three people.
Riga and Latvia are again making news, but let me give to two pieces of relatively good news.
(1) Riga will launch in partnership with Air Baltic a Ls 5m marketing campaign to promote tourism in Riga - called "LIVE RIGA" - let us but hope it successful - and
(2) Finally Riga City council is to crack down on the rip off bars and clubs, as of 3rd October police can shut them down - we can but hope it works
Both stories can be found at http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/tourism/
So there we are disappearing pubs and people, and it looks like this forthcoming Remembrance Sunday I will be making the journey alone, and on the subject of journeys alone - young A.... ( Australian/Latvian - king of Latvian souvenirs) is off to roam the mountains of Lebanon this weekend. He expects to walk around a thousand kilometers !!! Apparently this is annual thing for him to renew his energies - to him I take my hat off and wish him well - it will be interesting to hear his tales when he returns.
posted by dfs at Friday, October 09, 2009
2 Comments:
Long time no see. Once we were near neighbours in Alunana, but I left the beautiful city in 2005. So grateful for your blog: much more reliable, frequent and informative than the few remaining contacys I have in the village (Aussie John the lumber dealer write occasionally though I wish more often.
I hope your good lady is well; I remember her health was a concern some years ago. Should you see Custer-bearded candle Tom before he leaves, please give him my best wishes.
Thanks for the good work! Clearly Riga is not what it once was, but I still love it.
Chris Lawrence
C 'dealer of sorts' spotted in Riga again. Doing business abroad shock! You heard it here first.
Newcastle Correspondent
Post a Comment
<< Home