Riga Rooster

There are many new small hotels springing up all over Riga. Some are not perhaps in the most desirable locations.

As the old saying goes - Let the Buyer Beware !

One local news paper just issued a strong statement on a new hotel South of the Central Market. The English language translation appeared in the Tourism news www.standbynews.info as follows:
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New hotel in potentially dangerous area
Newspaper warns that Dodo Hotel is not in an upmarket part of Riga

As reported, two French investors have unveiled the Dodo Hotel in Riga. Situated on the corner of Maskavas, Daugavpils and Jersikas streets, the area is known to be dangerous at night, this newspaper warns, even though it is not far from downtown Riga. The target audience of the 109-room hotel, which cost EUR 4 million to build, is business travellers. A double room costs EUR 49 a day between June 1 and September 30. Biznes&Baltija, 2008-05-08
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I worry that this may be too strong of a statement not deserving of the location and the effort that the owners put into building this hotel. I have personally been to the location last week during mid day and it appears quite safe to me (at daylight hours). The hotel is actually a very attractive improvement to the area.

However after sundown and with a few too many drinks in my tummy (not thinking too fast and clear) I might be a little more worried about this area. The Tram stop is actually very close to the hotel - you can even see the hotel's front door from the stop.

But the riders of the tram at these later hours may not be the knd of people you would want to invite into your home. This worrys me some too. So a taxi is probably recommend over a late might Tram ride and for sure I would not be walking this from City Center AT ALL - NEVER!

So the 100 Ls question (US$200) is do you risk something happening to save 100 Ls on a 3 night stay? Subtract 30 Ls of potential taxi fares during your stay and you are down to a 70 Ls savings over walking to a city center hotel at a higher price.

There are many otehr hotels in this category and I won't name them as I don't believe it is my place to do so (the news report named this one for me). So as a visitor, consider the location carefully and ask a lot of questions.

... be careful.

EuroVision is fast approaching...

... Good Luck Latvia !!

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It seems that a UK couple from Northern Ireland were in Portgual on holidy awith their three (3) children.

They simply passed out from too much drinking leaving the small children without supervision.

The children were removed by the police for their safety.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7383623.stm

Much like the Binge Drinking that many (not all) from the UK do when they visit Riga.

I have to question if there is something wrong in the society that many need to be twiked a little?

What do you think?

The days of simple brown envelopes are over. Inflation is affecting everyone and everything these days and especially hard hit are the methods for large product approvals.

Now there must be a contingency plan and contingency budget monies available at a moments notice when making your application submittal for signature.

Learn how to make the fast switch of a larger suitcase in place of the smaller envelope in the waiting room.

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Today is a very sad day in Riga especially around the airport taxi queue.

The world famous for excellent customer service, relative safe driving skills and fair prices TAXI COMPANY no longer has an official dispatcher and office at the airport.

Read the positive comments on the Trip Advisor website:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/SearchForums?ff=1134&geo=274967&scope=2&q=red+taxi&returnTo=%2FShowForum-g274967-i1134-Riga.html

Since 1999, we have had an excellent relationship with the company Rigas Taxi Parks http://www.rtp.lv

Their management has be willing to build a relationship; to listen to our concerns and the concerns of clients and to make significant changes in how they operated their business; treated workers; set higher and higher expectations; improved driver safety and demanded that drivers not cheat clients.

I am sure we will never know what has really happened. But thank you Riga City Council for this funeral event today!

So in the vernacular around these parts - caveat emptor -- lie, cheat, steal, rob

Let the arriving client buyer BEWARE of taxi overcharging and unsafe drivers !

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No wonder the British boys coming to Riga do what they do, it's quite common practice in their homeland and even practiced by the Royal family heirs.

If you haven't read about their recent weekend trip to the Isle of Wight, read the article linked below.

And they got their by no leass than a joy ride on a Royal Air Force Chinook helicopter.

I won't bore you with my writing, I will simply post the link to an excellent article written in the Daily Mail Newspaper - William, a helicopter - and this risk to the monarchy
00:10am 17th April 2008

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/columnists/columnists.html?in_article_id=560178&in_page_id=1772&in_author_id=244

Its a great article and I encourage you all to read it.

Again another complaint about taxis overcharging in Riga. This has been an ongoing issue with no apparent action from the city or state government as long as I have been living here since 1999.

Do taxis overcharge?

DO chickens click, do fish swim, do roosters crow?

Silly you, of course Taxis overcharge everywhere in the world.

The issue here is does anyone care. Not in Latvia.

The really only honest taxi company in Riga is the company that operates RED Renaults and small Ford cars. www.rtp.lv

But, rumor has it that city council is about to make a very stupid decision and either replace the RED taxi company at the airport with the "not so good" company or add the "not so good company" and let the buyer beware. The decision is due to be made 9 April.

All we can do it try to make our voice heard; but, no confidence on my part that anyone cares.

British visitors need to find a toilet and stop peeing in public! Who cares if it is a small number of them. It's plain and simply WRONG and public pressure and awareness is the only way to STOP it.

Get the message Mr. British Ambassador - more action and fewer words in a Press Release is what's required on your part - get involved, meet some flights at the airport and have a little chat with your "???s"!


What's wrong Mr. Latvian President? Its about time someone in Latvia stood up and did something to improve the situation in Latvia.

The silence from Latvia's leaders is deafening when it comes to dealing with tough issues including reckless driving, lack of work safety practices, bad customer service, non payment of taxes, lying, cheating and on and on.

So what's right is the recent Interior Minister's willingness for once to stand up and be heard on an issue that has gone on far too long unchecked.

The British Government is basically accepting this behavior as it has gone on for hundreds of years at home and with their "traveling pigs" show.

But, that does not mean that Latvia and other countries have to stand for it.

OK, maybe the Latvian laws are too weak, so finally someone is getting angry and will push through some tougher punishment.

The Riga Rooster crows loudly in support of the Interior Minister and his comments about the peeing pigs!

Its time for all Latvians to stop hiding their heads in the sand like an Ostrich bird or swimming like a jellyfish. Get a spine and lets get going to make Latvia a stronger country!

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The Riga Rooster HOLY agrees with the comments in this Press Release and fully supports even stronger fines and more jail time.

RIGA, Feb 19 (LETA) - The foreigners who urinate by the Freedom Monument are pigs, Interior Minister Mareks Seglins (People's Party) expressed to members of the press today.

As reported, today, the Riga Central Court imposed a five-day administrative arrest against a British citizen (born 1974) who was caught yesterday relieving himself at the Freedom Monument in Riga. He is the first foreigner who has been arrested for such conduct in Latvia.

Seglins, commenting on the recent ''tradition'' of foreigners relieving themselves by the Freedom Monument, told members of the press: ''Pigs those English. Full of filthy blokes!''

The politician emphasized that a bill is being put forward at Saeima that would give police officers more authority in similar situations.

As reported, Riga Mayor Janis Birks (For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK) believes that harsher penalties must be introduced for people who can find no better place than the Freedom Monument to relieve themselves.

Last week, amendments to the Administrative Violations Code, proposed by Birks' TB/LNNK, were forwarded to Saeima committees. The amendments are meant to prevent foreign tourists' obscenity and lewdness at the Freedom Monument and stipulate raising the applicable fine to LVL 200, and LVL 500 if the offender is caught doing the same thing again.

LETA
Copyright © LETA

Are you considering a visit to Eastern Europe to meet a lady?

Think twice!

Somewhere in Eastern Europe, there is a lady named "Stacia". Some have said that she is really related to Stalin; but, no one is sure.

Maybe you will recognize her from past visits. Maybe not, too!

But, I thing if you had ever saw her face to face, you would never forget her.

The question is: "will you ever meet her again"? (more)

5 Portuguese and 2 Spanish tourists were detained in Riga, Latvia on 16 May for alledgedly "stamping on a flag". No witnesses were brought forward & no proof was shown. 3 have been freed without charge. The others are still in jail suffering from malnutrition. Read one of the freed detainees' first hand account. Please digg this to raise awareness.

read more | digg story

"Summer of fun in Riga Latvia - 2007" on Google Video
Lots to see and lots to do in Riga Latvia. Oh how things have changed in the last eight (8) years. Riga is transforming itself into happening place. ... come and enjoy the experience !

"Emperor of Japan arrives in Riga Latvia" on Google Video
Motorcade on arrival in Riga Latvia of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito, emperor of Japan

From StandBy News - 14 May 2007, www.standbynews.info


Prices at hotels and restaurants in Latvia up 42% since April 2004

According to the Latvian Central Statistical Bureau, the services of hotels and restaurants in April were 17.5% more expensive on average compared to April 2006. Since Latvia joined the European Union, the prices for catering and hotel services have climbed rapidly – compared to April 2004, prices have increased by 42%.

Dienas Bizness, 2007-05-11

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Annual inflation in April at 8.9% from: http://www.leta.lv

RIGA, May 10 (LETA) - Inflation in Latvia keeps rising: in April, compared to April 2006, consumer prices increased 8.9 percent, according to the Central Statistical Bureau's data.

Prices for goods grew 7.5 percent in April, and prices for services 12.7 percent.

Compared to this past March, average consumer price level in April rose 0.9 percent. Prices for both goods and services increased 0.9 percent.

Higher prices for vegetables, fuel and catering services, increased water supply tariffs had the greatest effect on consumer price changes in April.

As reported, last year consumer prices in Latvia grew 6.8 percent: prices for services increased 6.4 percent and prices for goods grew 7.9 percent. Inflation in 2005 totaled 7 percent.

Žanete Hāka LETA

more news: http://www.latviatravel.info/news/

ELKOR what a company - huge stores, lots of selection and customer service from the stone age!

I continue to be amused at how stupid their purchasing people are. I have been to almost all of their stores over the past 10 months and have purchased every large black picture frame that they have in stock. I have also bought a few with silver and a couple with dark blue frames. These are nice Germany made frames about 6.99 Ls each.

Its been a total of perhaps 25 or more frames. I would have bought MORE if they had them.

With all these frames being sold in many of their stores, you would imagine some clever purchasing person or computer analysis program saying ... BUY MORE! THEY WILL SELL!

nah..... no more in stock. Today, I found only one of my first choice and 3 more small second choice frames. Oh yes, all the prices have gone up 1 to 2 Ls each an increase of 28%

Don't bother asking the clerk if they have more or can get more, they simply stare at you in dis belief or say something like. This is what we got buy or or leave! They are close to being simply RUDE!

Overall I give ELKOR stores a Rooster rating of 1/2 rooster our lowest rating

1/2 Our lowest rating - Meets minimum acceptable expectations

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Again I was pleased to receive top level customer service form the staff at the DUAL mobile phone store, this time in the AFLA center east of Riga's city center.

I purchased an inexpensive NOKIA phone and the staff very carefully processed my purchase. A little slow and the clerk was nervious but he did an excellent job.

I give it again a solid four (4) rooster rating

4 Our highest rating - Meets all expectations consistently

In my hurry to leave, I left my credit card on the desk counter and the young man came out to the hall to chase me down!

My hat is tipped to the management of the DUAL store.

Today was Chinese noodles at the small Chinese Food shop in the Alfa Center East of Riga city center.

I had chicken in sweet sauce over a fresh warm bowl medium wide egg noodles - Nummy!

My associate had a bowl of what they called Japanese Miso soup which was actually chicken noodle soup. It was OK he said and a bowl of Egg Noodles with vegetables.

For 2.50 ls an item not a bad value. E gave it a solid Three (3) Rooster rating

3 Meets most expectations - or - not as consistent as we would like

I had a second bowl of chicken with sweet sauce over noodles served by a different person. He gave me way more chicken and sauce that did the first lady. So much more in fact it overshadowed the taste of the egg noodles.

All in all - a nice lunch and I will definitely go back for more!

The Head Rooster howls today

As we enter the summer tourist season, you may be starting to plan your spring and summer trips. Consider visiting Latvia and - Enjoy the Experience. Preview some of the locations around Latvia including a bicycle ride around Latvia's western most city Liepaja. View the Icons around Riga and the Outdoor Open Door Ethnographic Museum. Also view a video history of Latvia... http://www.seelatvia.com

read more | digg story