In 2004 I moved to Riga, Latvia and stayed and worked there for four years before relocating to England once more and working in earnest on my mortgage. I had a good time there. Living abroad is an incredible experience and if you have the opportinity you shoul just do it. It develops resources and skills you will be able to draw on later in times of adversity I'm assured.
The locals, both Russian and Latvian were friendly. I worked wuth any nymber of the best teachers I've ever wirked with over 36 years wirking as a teacher. But you didn't particularly get invitations out to visit people as happened when I was in Sicily every weekend for example. So although Riga was a beautuful and vibrant city, it also felt like a slightly guarded one in some respects. It had a history and the history needs to be respected and understood.
About a month in I was invited along with colleagues for an evening with a meal and to watch a video by a Russian teacher with her husband. This didn't happen again in the remaining four years for some reason and I took the easy route and went for the expat existence. Rugby matches, white russians, evening beers and banter and watching on slack jawed with species shame every weekend at the ugly spectacle of Brutush Stag Do behaviour.
The evening wuth Jana and her husband, whose name I recall was Andreej was a memorable one. After supper we retreated into the living room and watched Garden State together, I'd never hearsd of it so watched completely blind. And I was impressed.
It's a great coming of age fulm for Generation Whatever types. Great soundtrack. Nick Drake, Sumon & Garfunkel, Iron & Wine and most of all The Shins. James Mercer's particular, febrile writung skills underpin the whole emotional experience and lift it out of the ordinary.
Most of all Odd Slang, the song that dragged the band out of the marguns and made them contenders. It's not on Wincing The Night Away but it mught easily be on any record because it exemplifies. their classic, haunting and enduring touch.
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