What a long day I've had. I woke up just after 6 am and went for a morning walk (just wanted to see what it's like, cause other people seem to be enjoying that kind of thing) and it was great. Even though this was one of the coldest mornings we've had here, I had a warm feeling afterwards. I had a couple of hours to prepare my speech for an armchair travel group. I was flattered, since at first they thought of me as a New Zealander, and being dressed in my school uniform, I can't blame them. Very enjoyable not have the imaginary ''foreigner'' sign on my forehead. Apparently, I have lost the though North European accent and sound a bit American even. For that I always blame the movies. Well, on the other hand it is nice to be treated as a visitor and someone special.

Most of the people were in their advanced time of life and didn't know anything about my country. I tried create a positive impression and be informative at the same time. Because of their general interest in general aspects of general things had I lot of questions to answer, and that certainly made matters easier.

Now, this has nothing to do with that lovely group of people, but I have come across some situations when I just want to smile and wave. It goes like this:

-Hello!

-Hi!

-Where are you from?

-Latvia!

-Ohh...... mm... yeah! [Now, if this was a fairy tale, their eyes would turn into question marks, despite the unconvincingly nodding head]

(..) few minutes of conversation; and if it's about traveling I ask:

-Do you know where my country is?

-Yeah... It's just there.. you know.. that part of the world... aahh.. yeah!

or

-Where are you from?

-Europe!

(I find it easier)

I'm not surprised, it is a small country. Just funny how these conversations some times turn out. 'N' so I started talking and an hour was gone before I knew it.

Today I started reading ''Open'', an autobiography by Andre Agassi, THE tennis player. Finally I have found a like-mined fellow who sees the tennis match as mental work-out, if I could say so, having read only 17 pages.

''Life will throw everything but the kitchen sink in your path, and then it will throw the kitchen sink.''

I don't remember the exact words but then he went on about something quite interesting, and I don't really remember what it was about (sounds like the ''where are you from'' dialogue, eh?), but when I do I'll let you know.