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For SW Missouri, Springfield is a pretty good town. It and Joplin are this area’s saving grace.

I only go here because the closest VA hospital to me is here…there is nothing to do! It’s mostly fast food, but there is a decent Chinese restaurant called Bamboo Gardens.

I found very little to distinguish this place from other places I have lived in and been too.

Others, however, might.

Joplin is a really cool place. The mall is decent, although there are too many clothes stores and not enough specialty shops…at least they are currently in the process of remodeling it.

There are tons of good eateries. My faves are The Red Onion, Mythos Greek restaurant and Garfields at the mall.

Main street is an interesting mix of old and new. Some of the surrounding area is just seedy bars and sports bars…but if that is your kind of thing, you are in luck.

The library is brilliant for this area!

A nice place to live. Well, not as great as some, but if you happen to be stuck in the Ozarks/4-State Area…this is one of your best bets.

Information:

Pilsrundale, Bauskas rajons, LV-3921, Latvia
Secretary: (+371) 39 62274, 6536356
Administrator: (+371) 39 62197, 6499151
Fax: (+371) 39 22274
http://www.rpm.apollo.lv
rpm@eila.lv

The RundalePalaceMuseum is open every day:

May, September, October:10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
June, July, August:10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
November – April:10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The amphitheatre (arena) is really cool! I wish I had one in my hometown. I’d read a book there on the top row.

I kind of found the graffiti at Juliet’s house beautiful in a way. So many sentiments of love…that to me, is a beautiful thing, even when the medium is scraps of paper and chewing gum.

Venice is gorgeous! I can’t believe I actually went…upon returning, it can seem a bit like a dream.

I would have loved for my fiance to have been there with me…we could have rode in a gondola together. That’s the tradition, yes? But of course you see lots of silly tourists piled in to one together…which I suppose is alright, but I thought it was a tradition for lovers.

I loved just walking all over this city…with only a map purchased at a small kiosk upon arrival.

Like all other tourist attractions, there were shops upon shops of tacky souvenirs which I tried to avoid. Why waste time buying silly masks that were probably made in Taiwan? It’s better instead to wander around and end up wherever you end up…of course after you have seen the major attractions. I found a little staircase at the end of a small alleyway, sat there and claimed it as my own. I imagine I’ll go back there someday, the next time with my husband.

Of course things were expensive, by the way…but things of quality usually are.

Riga has so much to offer. It is such a perfect mix of Eastern and Western Europe. Art Nouveau is everywhere. So much of the old city architecture has German and Scandinavian influence, then there is the gorgeous Orthodox Cathedral, which was used as a planetarium during Soviet times. Museums…interesting little shops…something for everyone.

I must admit falling in love with the chain of stores called Nelda. I always find it fun to shop and do everyday things like everyday people when I visit another country.

Riga feels old, and I like that.

http://www.rigalatvia.net/

A very moving experience and a fitting monument to remember the Shoah.

I was born here. That’s the only tie I have to the place, apart from the fact that my family has not sought to escape yet. I joined the military when I was 17 just to leave this place. It’s dull, dull, dull. Little in the way of entertainment, people seem rude and backwards, the only centers of worship are Christian and if you say you are not Christian you get strange looks. The city parks used to be lovely, but they are always strewn with litter now and the landscaping leaves a lot to be desired. A lot of the old neighborhoods have been taken over by partygoers and junky people in general and a lot of the fine old houses have fallen into decay. The streets are full of potholes. There aren’t many sidewalks to walk on if you wish to go out for a stroll.

It is pretty horrible. I can’t wait to leave. I’m just here temporarily.