Pawnshops

One of the most visible aftereffects of the economical crisis in Latvia is the raise of pawshops (called "lombards" in Latvian). Six years ago you could find just a few of them, today - almost on every street. Since most of the people live from salary to salary it is common to run out of money; people hand in mobile phones, gold and other valuables as pawns to get small high interest loans. If they are unable to pay it back, the pawnshop sells their pawns.
Photos by (c) Arnis Balcus

Special project

Well, for me these outworn apartment blocks remind Sarajevo, but actually it's just "a special housing project" made in Riga in the last years of Soviet Union. It seems that the Soviet workers haven't done the job properly and after 20 years it looks like the building has been wounded by bombs and bullets.
Photo by (c) Arnis Balcus

Latvian fruits

The sign in the window says "goods from Latvian countryside". You see pomegranates, clementines, pineapples,  melons, grapes etc. but actually none of these fruits in this shop window grow in Latvia.
Photo by (c) Arnis Balcus

Inflation

This is the price in Latvian lats for gasoline on 11 January 2011...

...and this is what it costs today on 11 January 2012.
Photos by (c) Arnis Balcus

Meat for Christmas

Traditional food for Christmas? For instance, in England it's a turkey. In Latvia - a pig's nose (or full head). But of course, nowadays it's a rarity on Christmas table.
Photo by (c) Arnis Balcus

Little snow

Snowing in Ziepniekkalns district of Riga. This winter the snow hasn't stayed for more than a few hours and perhaps it's gonna be a rare grey Christmas. It should have been some -15 C outside, instead it's +5 C. Consequences of global warming?
Photo by (c) Arnis Balcus

Plastic bird cages

  

Someone in Riga has used plastic bottles to create bird cages for titmouses.

Photo by (c) Arnis Balcus

Military parade in Riga

November 18 is the independence day of Latvia and the military parade is being held in Riga. Since the Latvian army is small, the parade is quite modest.
Photos by (c) Arnis Balcus

11/11/11 11:11

People all over the world took a photo at 11:11 on 11 November 2011. Well, me too...
Photo by (c) Arnis Balcus

CCTV

 

CCTV cameras have been attached to a tree. Seen in Zolitūde district of Riga.

Photo by (c) Arnis Balcus

Early election

Early parliamentary election on 17 September 2011. Voting in Salacgrīva, North Latvia.
Photos by (c) Arnis Balcus

Basketball crazy

Lithuanians love basketball. This year European championship takes place in Lithuania so everything works and lives around basketball, even other businesses and advertising. It took me just a few hours to spot dozens of adverts in Kaunas and Panevezys that use basketball as a selling point. In fact, none but only one of these ads actually promote the championship itself. 
All photos by (c) Arnis Balcus

Too much ice-hockey

 

People in Canada are so keen on ice-hockey that there's even a need for signs to stop people from playing. Found in a park in Montreal.

Photo by (c) Arnis Balcus