I pondered this post for days. I was in the USA when the tragedy in Charlottesville took place. While many are discussing the statements and views of the current president, Donald Trump, and other political leaders, I have tried to find the 'ordinary' voices. The local people from this university town; the voices of faith…Read more “This Little Light Of Mine” in Charlottesville and elsewhere
Dipping my feet in Americana waters
"What is the purpose of your visit? And how long are you staying?" are the routine questions I hear from US Customs and Border control upon arrival. I have quite the collection of memories from these annual interviews. Waiting in line for my turn, trying to decide which customs guy looks the friendliest, preparing my…Read more Dipping my feet in Americana waters
Most difficult peace with ourselves
My claim to fame - meeting and talking with Brian "Head" Welch from Korn. I was never a huge fan. I could not relate to their darkness and anger and even less to the destructive lifestyle, but few years ago I heard Head perform his solo album "Save me from myself". Talk about a story…Read more Most difficult peace with ourselves
A few thoughts on World Refugee Day
Simply overwhelming statistics. It is year 2017 and there are estimated 65 million people forcibly displaced from their homes, including 21 million refugees worldwide. According to UNHCR, the top three nations where refugees come from are Syria (5,5 million), Afghanistan (2,5 million) and South Sudan (1,4 million). People are driven out of their homes by…Read more A few thoughts on World Refugee Day
Portland and London united in grief and love
A skateboard. Something that is simply fun even though I cannot find my balance. A bakery. Somewhere to go if you have a sweet tooth like me. A bridge. Something that connects and helps you to get from one side to another. Borough Market. I get hungry just thinking about all the delicious food in…Read more Portland and London united in grief and love
Helpful or harmful to talk about painful national past?
This is a common and valid question. When do the wounds, losses and memories from time ago truly become things of the past? When does it heal and hurt no more? When does dwelling on the past become harmful and we get stuck in it? Increasingly many people in my global circle of friends are…Read more Helpful or harmful to talk about painful national past?
Time to bridge the chasm of dividing memories in my own nation… Latvia
Does time heal all wounds? Few months ago I was asked by an American how much more time we need in Latvia to bridge our ethnic and historical divides and to have a real sense of 'one nation'. 30 years? 40 years? More? Wait a few decades when the older people will be gone and…Read more Time to bridge the chasm of dividing memories in my own nation… Latvia
More than a Wikipedia fact in postcard from Latvia
Do you have a wish list of influential people you would like to meet? High on my list is Vaclav Havel. I wish I could have met him as his prophetic wisdom is on my mind ... This goes out to everyone flirting with authoritative regimes and ideas where truth does not matter, where freedoms…Read more More than a Wikipedia fact in postcard from Latvia
An inspiring day at the cemetery
Some may consider it morbid but Latvians like their cemeteries. Of course, not all Latvians and there is an ongoing debate why we pay so much attention to our grave sites and what does it say about our psyche and values and so forth. Even though things are changing, most people still choose to be…Read more An inspiring day at the cemetery
Good Friday and The Cranberries in my head
The keywords - Ireland, The Cranberries, Good Friday and Jesus - are not equal in importance but they are all part of my story. I am a big fan of Ireland! I have never lived there (my brother has, my friends and close relatives do) but I have always been fascinated by it. The Celtic…Read more Good Friday and The Cranberries in my head
peaceroads 