Riga Highlights

Saturday afternoon we loaded up with Slingshot to take the bus to Riga. Five hours later, we were there in time for dinner and exploring the city by night. After some Turkish fast food, riding in a bicycle taxi and getting lost too many times to count, we went to bed.

Sunday morning, Palm Sunday, we went to an english-speaking Anglican Church. Dream come true. I had forgotten how much I missed the Anglican service, which to me blends so well tradition and scripture and beauty and mystery of the faith.

We wandered more that day but mainly just spend time in a tea shop drinking the best tea of my life. Anyways, on to the highlights reel: 

Probably the worst picture of the trip, but captured so much of the night. Lots of lights. Crazy bike taxi. Just a blur.

The next morning was rainy, but we still had fun walking around. This is just some random street.

Hunter, Joel and Jonathan saw a tree hanging out over the water. They had to climb it.

Lori introduced us to this place. We loved it.

Danica eating her chocolate cake and me drinking the  b e s t  tea of my life.

This isn't the Anglican Church we went to - but isn't she beautiful? Walking down many of the side streets you could peak up through the breaks in the buildings and see the spire. Incredible. Favorite picture of the trip.

Thankful to have these experiences with such an awesome group of people. So many things seen and heard, taught and learned. Cannot imagine this time spent any other way. Filled with gratitude.

Expectations

Disclaimer: a work in process.

There were very few expectations I held before this semester. As I would talk about living and studying here, some said eastern Europeans were cold and distant. In preparation for living with us Americans, they most likely got ready for loud, rich and crazy. Both arguably hold a little bit of truth.

We have only been here for a little while, right? So, disclaimer, this is writing from relatively few experiences. In a very specific kind of environment. With people from all over. Except, I can already say that the "cold and distant" thing isn't at all true - at least for my generation. Perhaps it's too soon, but I have a hunch it's not.

Stereotypes have never particularly bothered me - stereotype as Google defines it, at least. If anything, I felt they helped me understand where another individual came from. Using them as context clues, maybe? 

After some reflection, my indifference is most likely a result of never experiencing anything seemed too harsh or off the mark, unlike the case for so many others.

Earlier this semester, Taylor streamed the Q Women and Calling conference. In an open discussion, one of the women voiced her opinion that stereotypes strip an individual of their uniqueness & individuality. At the time, I just thought that, well, if the stereotype was true, it was true and that's that. No harm done. 

Earlier this summer, I distinctly remember a conversation a few of us had on the porch of Lick-a-Dee Splitz where my nonchalant view of stereotyping was challenged. Rightly so. Even earlier than that night, there were a few situations in which I assumed things about those I was working with, only be proven completely and utterly wrong. 

So the past few months seem to be culminating into quiet build-up of coming to break down my stance on stereotyping. The assumptions I make about people are often inaccurate and unjust. They keep me from seeing what is deeper and what is true and from forming friendships that change the way I see the world. Always a good thing, I think, to keep developing the way you see.