In Riga

When I came here four years ago I was conscious of it being my first visit to a post-Soviet state, which was opening its new found wings and fighting corruption. This time I've arrived on my first visit to a fledgling member state of the EU - a place struggling with its identity for different reasons. There are many parents leaving; leaving the country for work in the UK etc, and leaving their children with grandparents here in Latvia.

For me though, I'm delighted to be here with my friends. Their new home is delightful and peaceful. Plenty of gentle quiet, easy talking and cheerful meals. I've seen two films with them already [check my arts blog], and watched their son growing up (and although now at 18 months, rather more like 16 months since he was 6 weeks premature).

And there is, for me, a sense of calmness about being away from everything, and of course there's so much less stress than in Palestine and the Occupied Territories. I've been quite desperate for some annual leave, and now it's finally here I feel such relief, and joy about it. I wanted to start my holidays here. As to where next ... I think I'll be heading west ... going east is tempting though!