I didn't sleep a wink this last night... I kept worrying about everything... I can't explain...
So I was up before dawn again but Inge was in the shower so I just washed my face really well and made myself a nice cup of tea with honey from Latvia to start my day... a few toasts and I was off to the students to get them to pack and have some breakfast as well... That really didn't go that easy... They are tired too and a little bit sad to leave...
Then came the long walk to the bus stop... We made it in barely 15 minutes which was really good... At 6.30 am there are already people brushing the Streets... I was amazed... Arriving at the airport I was so glad to see the Norwegian team... although I didn't dare say too much to them... Some smiling faces to greet us .... great! After dropping of our Luggage we still had some time to shop and to relax a bit...
The flight went smoothly but the landing was a little bit shaky but nobody was scared or so... My students just had their first successful flying adventure... We had to wait at the airport in Brussels for an hour and a half but that went by quickly because we had some nice talks about these past days... We had fun reliving all these sweet memories... What a very good trip this was and what a great team this was!
I was home at 3 pm, took a nice long warm bath and ate...
This last day was spent in the beautiful city of Riga. I was here in 2010 with Enterprise without Borders but then there was still snow every where.We are very lucky that we had so nice weather this week. It was cold but very Sunny and the sun brightens up everything.
Our first stop was another visit of an international company Lacu maize. They make bread the traditional way, very impressive... We toured the bakery, made some cookies and tasted the different kind of breads. Inga intended that this was counting to be a small breakfast but we don't eat cookies for breakfast... so it was only coffee for us and the students...
Vika gave us a tour around Riga and I went to places I had not been before... beautiful parts of the city... I definitely have to come back with Jef, stroll around and explore this cosy city on our own...
Again, Latvian people don't eat... While we had a very small breakfast because it was still early when we left they didn't break for lunch... We were sooooo hungry and they didn't seem to understand. Finally, Inge from Austria really made it clear we had to have something to eat before the tour would continue... So I broke a promise to myself and went to Mc Donalds with the students because by that time I couldn't care anymore... Of course we also were very tired. I think I only slept two hours because my students wouldn't stay in their rooms last night... I was a guard at their door till 3 am... and up at 5 again to waken them at 6. (I also had to pack myself)... Inge (my colleague) and I had to help the boys pack and clean up their rooms...
On our walk one of my students, Serhat, always gave tips to musicians in the street or to poor people... And all of a sudden these 2 musicians started to play "de Vlaamse Leeuw", the national anthem of Flanders. That was sooo nice of them and it was so beautiful again... (I always use beautiful these days... I can't think anymore, I'm sorry)
Finally we went to the Lido for dinner but of course not a lot of them were hungry because we just ate at 3 pm... But it was a very nice place. What a pity we couldn't have stayed here longer. We were tooo tired to explore it - as was intended. Sorry Inga for all your efforts! You really did your best!
And then came the horrible, official goodbye... I cannot stand goodbuys... so I couldn't keep dry any longer.... I don't want to leave yet... this has been such a great week with so much effort and engagement and thrilling moments....
Then we were taken to different hostels, the Norwegians, the Austrians and the Belgians... Each time they left the bus everybody went to the one side of the bus and waved goodbye again...
Our youth hostel was very cosy and clean. It was basic but very cosy and the students were happy... I was exhaused... Jan, Inge, Jef and I went for bus tickets. While Jan and Inge went to buy some snacks for the students Jef and I checked out where we have to leave the next day for the airport... That is not going to be simple with 2 times stairs up and down. It's rather a long way to walk with suitcases...
This time I didn't patrol... I only wanted to finish this and go to sleep... I said goodbye to Gert, Liesbeth and their students. They have all been so wonderful, also to my girls and boys... I'm so lucky to have such people as colleagues and friends... And of course I love Jef with all my heart... This is a one time opportunity to share such a project together. We worked on it together the whole 2 years and we experienced all the wonderful things together. And although he sometimes is a little bit crazy and silly he is one great teacher and I am very proud of him...and I am very lucky that he is also a calm, kind man because I realise it isn't easy for him. I have my school and my problems and sometimes he's right in the middle of it... it's not easy but he reacts perfectly to it... Thank you very much for your support, Jef! I needed this a lot these last few days...
Our last working day... I cannot believe it ... time flies so fast...
First we visited a big company AILE - it was a big group of different companies that is rapidly growing... We had a tour through the divisions. Latvia is certainly doing its best to grow and to develop.
The presentation of the business plans was held in school. Unfortunately there was no lunch, or time to lunch... but there was coffee and some nice cakes. After the presentation the principal of the school gave us the certificates. Jon thanked him and Inga on our behalf and Elke invited everybody to the last mobililty in Austria. I don't want to think about that now... I don't want this thing to end...
Because on Saturday it is international teacher's day the school celebrated the teachers and we were invited to come to the celebration with traditional music and dance... My students left the school with other Latvian students. I think they were too hungry to wait... so with the teachers and some students we went to the big concert room where the show started... the principal welcomed us once again and all the Latvian teachers could see us now... Some of them were honoured because of their best results in the state exams. Between the honours some students recited poems... I couldn't help to think that this is not possible anymore in Belgium... The teachers even knelt for their principal or they did a little bow for him... I was nearly in chock... I respect it of course but it's unthinkable in Belgium... Again two different cultures...
The music and the dance... oh, we should have more of that in Belgium... I think these dances should stay. They probably do in Belgium too but then the young people are considered old fashioned which they are not... it's simply keeping important traditions and being proud of your country and customs.... So congratulations to Vika and Ingus for giving us the joy to watch you in traditional clothing and seeing you dance.
After this we had some free time again until 8 pm to start the big final party... I had time to take some lunch but we also went to dinner with my students to the Barons Bumbiers again. We had an excellent, delicious meal...
Then the party started slowly as always. Inga had made a reservation in a dancing so it was a private party for us with disco lights and cosy chairs and 2 dj's... My boys nearly went over the moon when they heard their Turkish song... they kept bothering the dj to play another song but one of them was so stubborn and kept denying that he couldn't... Then all of a sudden he did play it and my boys were hilariously happy again... They did their best to impress the girls and the teachers to show what kind of dancing they do in Turkey... We had a smashing time...
It was a very, very short night and I still have to go check my students again because tomorrow we have to get up very early to spend the very last day in Riga... it's 2 am and my students aren't tired yet... They will be tomorrow though! I'm going to go on patrol now...
My God... what a day... to be honest I dreaded the speakers because I feared my students wouldn't understand a thing... But the opposite was true! Inga made an excellent choice!
First was Ingus Palapis from Business Incubator Kurzeme... It's an organisation that helps, supports people with interesting business ideas and gives them the help they need in facilities, networking. They cover the cost of different services needed to start the company. They organise different events for the companies... The major idea was networking. Contacts are the best assets you have in a company.
One of their young starters was Artis Daugins. He came with the great idea of electrical bikes, only 21 years old but with this huge idea and plans. He was trying to find a solution for transport in a city. He studied electrical bikes all over the world and tried to find solutions for producing costs. That worked. To improve the service to his customers he also rents them. Then he was thinking about exporting. He already calculated what they could sell in Latvia. To export he needed connections in potential countries, Latvian people who lived in the country for export and who could work with them. That worked in Portugal, the UK and Norway. Latvia is a hotspot in Europe. By exporting more products the productions costs go down and their turnover increases. They don't stay on one level. They grow... Now they are developing e-bikes for artists, police and postmen. E-bike is a great business story of a young entrepreneur! The big message here was: in business you have do to the impossible thing... find solutions for impossible things and make them possible. You meet a challenge and you succeed.
The third speaker was Martins Vidzenieks. He has a lot of experience in the export business. His big message was "It doesn't matter what you know but who knows you (or you know)". One of his favourite quotes from a book by Robert Kiyosaki was "The richest people in the world look for and build a network. Every one else looks for a job."
Networking is the word. You have to build networks, get e-mails out, phone people, spend time with as many as you can. 3 rules: give, give, give...You look at people and ask yourself "what do they need? What are they looking for?" and then you tend to their needs. You have to listen carefully and ask questions, show genuine interest.
"The one who sows the seed will reap"... in business you constantly keep sowing a good seed....
You also have to devolop your people's skills. Talk to strangers, learn about them, smile all the time (also on the phone) be a nice person... Everybody is in sales, even wives and mothers....
You have to look for people that are where you want to be, like them and learn from them, respect them, be worthy of their trust.
And the last important thing: Never give up. Keep on learning. Whatever your dream is, be persistent....
I had tears in my eyes... these speakers were sooooo good! I wish we could have broadcoasted this on www.businesseducation.be... What a charisma of the 3 of them.... what inspiring words they gave us.... While I was still talking to Martins the students and teachers could take the e-bike for a spin through the halls of the school. I heard that was a lot of fun...
After these speaches there was a little break in which we danced to get warm again.... Then group work began to develop the business plans of their ideas of yesterday.
Befor lunch we also managed to skype with the team in Belgium, the team who is going to Austria... it's a pity we can't take all of the students to share the same experience. I must talk to the national agency about that... This project is so great... All students should be able to benefit from it...
We had a traditional lunch in Barons Bumbiers, served in a earthen pot (I don't know if that is the correct word for it), a mixture of potatoes, smoked fish, onions and sour cream... delicious... except if you don't like fish...but I do and it was yummie....
The afternoon was spend again on working to create the business plans. In the afternoon I "facetimed" with Sandra, my colleague back home... She was at the hairdresser and a little embarrassed but she enjoyed the faces of Elke, Jomar and all of the students...
After the hard work there was free time to shop or to do whatever you liked.... I tried to shop but I couldn't find what I wanted and I really didn't want to go all over town to shop so I took my camera and strolled around the city to catch the atmosphere and to think a little by myself and enjoy the peace and the quiet for a chance....
The students went of to dinner to a place of their own choice and the teachers had dinner in a pizzeria... What a difference again with Belgium... There was only one waitress and she didn't have all the dishes that were one the menu... We had to wait a long time for our wine but in the meantime we had a relaxing evening and some nice chatting and laughing again... It was a pity I had to go back to the hotel because my students were waiting there... I can't seem to catch my breath... I am always so tired in the evening... I wish I could spend the evening with the teachers but then I know I won't be very happy in the morning... I wish I didn't need my sleep so much... I'm definately getting too old...
This morning started with a visit to the City Council. They do a lot of efforts to grow on every level. It was very interesting to see which actions and plans are being made to make the city and the commerce prosperous again....
In the youth house (jauniesumaja - I cannot pronounce it) there were presentations of business success stories of each country. Norway provides us with a very nice break. One of their big success story is the success of a writers - composers duo that already made a lot of hits... the big success now is "the fox" and the 3 blond ladies started doing the fox dance - much to all of our admiration and fun! Also in this place there is no heating... How people get used to this I don't know... and then you should know that I am always complaining in Belgian that it is freezing cold in our school... I wish I had other more warmer clothes with me... or I have to go and buy some...
After lunch in the warm Latvian tradition culture centre (with an cosy open fire place) we are treated to real Latvian folk music and dance. Like in Norway this is heaven... I just love this... These 3 old ladies are so cute. They sing well and they have a passion inside them which works miracles. Every student joins in for a dance. What joy... How fun this is! I sang an old lullaby in Dutch (and I really can't sing), the Norwegian team sang an old song and my female students sang a song for a traditional Turkish wedding... it was soooooo beautiful I got tears in my eyes.... I thanked these ladies and Inga from the bottom of my heart! What a succesful afternoon!
Teachers and students went on a Liepaja city tour on which we visited the Trinity church tower and the Craftsmen House. I now wish I had bought this beautiful hat I tried on... The Trinity church is also very beautiful but needs urgent renovation.... We climbed all the way to the top on scary stairs.... the view was wide and open...
After that a nice warm cup of coffee with some Balsam warmed me again... Dinner was at restaurant Pastnieku maja... and it was a nice buffet... We ended the day in the hotel's restaurant where we celebrated a little bit the birth of the baby son of our colleague Kim... everything was ok but she had a pretty tough delivery... It's a pitty I cannot visit her now... I will just have to wait till I'm back in Belgium!
Jon and Jomar were at breakfast! The only one of their team I know is Thea... The rest look very young... As always Norwegian girls and boys have special looks which is hard to ignore by the others... they enter the room and immediately heads turn... I watch with smiling interest how the other students react to these looks... What will happen this time... I love the suspension...
As promised Latvian students come to pick us up at the hotel. With Klavis we went to buy some bus tickets for this week and then we were off the the Liepajas Valsts Tehnikums... It is what I didn't expect. I had the image in my head that Inga sent me and I wonder how I could have been so wrong about the entrance... There is a cloakroom, which is very convenient... We don't have that in Belgium... There 's a little coffee machine in the entrance hall which is practical... Arriving in the big theatre room the assistant of the principal officially opens this 3rd mobility. Inga also welcomes us. Then we start this very weard ice breaking activity with a story of Joe... Elke filmed us so we will look like a bunch of idiots at the end of the story... Saying hello and meeting as much students and teachers in 10 minutes is an exciting and fun excercise. Then we start time in international groups. You have to find out as much as you can about somebody in your group and then introduce him/her to the group.
In the meantime it starts to get cold in the room so some of the teachers head downstairs to get a warm cup of coffee. After the ice breaking activity each country presents its country. By the time this finishes some students and teachers went to get their warm coats... God, it's freezing... In Belgium it's 10 degrees warming than in Liepaja... so I guess we are not yet used to the cold... The tour in the school is also very different and interesting... although I cannot tell anything about it because I cannot judge a class in electricity or motors or computer programming...
After this tour we have a Latvian language lesson. Thank you very much, Vika for this interesting and quite complete lesson. You are a really good teacher! I wish we had more time to properly practice the pronunciation and the stress in words... Very, very interesting... As I am - yes, or I'm getting there fast - "at age" my memory needs continious practice I'm afraid...
The lunch was held in the school cafeteria and yes, there was already a kind of socialising going on between one Belgian boy and 3 Norwegian students... very cute. In the afternoon we go by bus to Karosta, a sort of neighbour area near Liepaja... When Latvia was still under communist government this was the area where a lot of Russians lived... some still do... You can see a lot of empty buildings or buildings once installed by the government and now there is no money to fix them... people still live in them... It's sad... The Naval Port Prison for "bad Russian soldiers" really is chocking... till 1997 "bad Russian soldiers" were still send here... you cannot image the barbaric, unhuman circumstances they had to live in... and the Russian interpretation of "bad" is not the same as ours... they were not murderers or so... they had to march 4 hours with military precision, run with gas masks for 2 hours, clean the toilets with improvised shovels and more of these "pleasant" tasks... one stupid thing could be the cause of more physical training or work... or even real punishments... The guide acted like one of the supervisors... In the very beginning I wasn't sure if it was a joke or if he was serious... It was really hilarious to follow his lead and act as "bad soldiers". My girls were very scared... although it was acted they thought it was pretty real to them... Elke managed to get him so "angry" that she was graciously allowed to visit the "VIP room" as they called it... "very, very bad soldiers" got the privilege to visit this room with a lot of privacy... unfortunately without a nice view on the sea or fresh air... In went "Sarah" - we didn't know she had an evil twin ;-) - and we were punished as well for her bad behaviour... Thank you, Sarah... I pity all these men who had to go through this terrible ordeal or this unhumanly forced imprisonment... This culture shock, heritage of the Soviet Union, we will not easily forget!
To ease this experience we walked to the St. Nicolas' Marine Cathedral... a magnificent cathedral where I couldn't take pictures but even if I could I wouldn't out of respect. The minute you enter this place you can simply feel the awe, the respect, the believe of the people inside praying... the smell of candlesticks is everywhere... it is amazing...and silently... One of my Islamic students also comes in and acts very respectful... This boy has surprised me this far... I'm wondering if this is the same person which caused a lot of trouble last year... Now he is full of respect, polite... active... I can barily believe it... but I love it... What this project does to people I don't know... it's enlightening...
The trip back took us to the beautiful beach again! Beau - ti - ful !!!! Really, it must be wonderful in summer. What a terrific place to relax... Everybody was tired but we still walked to the ruins of an old fort and back...
The bus brought us back to our hotel and around 7 pm we had a great diner in the hotel... I'm amazed that I'm so quickly tired... Must be from all the walking and strolling around... or maybe still not used to the cold. I get this "I cannot say it in English" "kind of knock on your head" when you enter a warm room after spending all day in the cold... with a full stomach it makes you sleepy... After dinner the students quickly left the room to socialize somewhere else ... without teachers ;-)
My girls are in the restaurant of the hotel taking dessert...I am invited to sit with them so I do that... I must say it is quite a pleasant change from last year... These girls are wonderful... they love it and they participate without objections. They are open, kind, polite... I am happy. And the boys... oh, to my big surprise they have already made friends with the other Belgian and Norwegian boys... I just love it...
Tired but very happy I go - totally exhausted - to bed. End of day one... a very successful one...
