A few summers ago, about 60 km outside of Riga, some signs appeared on the road pointing passing travelers to an Erotic Museum in Dzukste. I havent managed to visit this rural cultural institution yet but judging from the risque hand-painted graphics Ive got a feeling its just a local farmer and his porn collection!

Local knowledge here in Latvia states that if you are ever pulled over by the under-paid traffic police a quick slip of a fiver will usually get you out of the situation. Inflation and deflation trends also affect these transactions and a few years ago the price would have reasonably higher but, thanks to the 2009 crisis, bribery has returned to the more traditional 5 lats. The inadvertent placing of a fiver in your passport is so in-grained in local folklore here that at shops you can buy an air-freshener shaped as 5 lats with the name ' Give it to your Policeman'.

I'm assuming the Latvian Stuntmens Association was trying to promote their 'skills' with their website address but to me it was a reminder of the dangers that these stuntmen face - always remember stunts kill! http://www.stuntskill.com

A few questions to ask yourself whilst reading this news item... WTF was this inspector doing with a gun during work? Why werent police called to the scene - is a gun being fired on the street down low on the police priority list? And afterwards how do the police justify driving around looking for the ticketless offenders with a guy thats just fired a gun in public? And lastly, to the Rigas Satiskme press secretary is the use of a firearm unacceptable for a ticket inspector but the actual carrying of one allowed??

Whilst Im at it can I say that this morning our bus was stopped and inspected by 4 controllers. Perhaps they are resorting to safety in numbers from stone throwing passengers!

Also, Riga Transport has been in the news lately for the bus accident on Sunday which killed 3 people ( driver and 2 passengers). Seems the driver was drunk with reports of blood alcohol level being around 2.4 ml (0.24??). Apparently he had been tested at the start of his shift and was ok to drive but along the way must have been drinking hard whilst on the road.

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"Rigas satiksme" ticket inspector dismissed for using firearm

RIGA, April 27 (LETA) - Last weekend on Gogola Street, a ticket inspector for public transport company "Rigas satiksme" produced a firearm during a struggle with ticketless passengers, firing a shot into the air. For this, the ticket inspector was yesterday dismissed by the company's management.

The opinions of "Rigas satiksme" and of ticket inspector Roberts Akermanis himself over the incident differ significantly.

Akermanis told LETA that on Saturday, April 24 at around 10 p.m., on Gogola Street by the former synagogue, a conflict broke out between him and some ticketless passengers, who attacked him with stones. "To save my life, I took out my gun and fired into the air," said the inspector, adding that earlier he had worked for institutions where it had been necessary for him to own a firearm.

"We have come this far - to protect themselves, ticket inspectors have to use firearms," said Akermanis mournfully, adding that the conflict could have had an even worse ending. "The work of a ticket inspector is thankless, the salary is low, and there is no health or life insurance," complained the inspector.

According to Akermanis, the police were not called out to the scene. Later, the inspector unofficially requested the police to drive around the neighborhood, but none of the fare dodgers could be found.

The inspector indicated that the public transport company's management had borne a grudge against him ever since he had turned up uninvited at a press conference at Riga City Council.

"Rigas satiksme" press secretary Viktors Zakis told LETA that information in the company's possession indicated that the inspector had provoked the attack himself by his inappropriate behavior. Moreover, the use of a firearm in any situation was inadmissible, and so the company's board of directors had yesterday decided to dismiss Akermanis.

At the same time, "Rigas satiksme" plan to approach the State Police today with a request to investigate the incident.

At the beginning of April, Akermanis had turned up uninvited at a press conference at Riga City Council, called after a conflict between inspectors and a fare dodger, and proceeded to express his bitterness at the difficult work of the inspectors and the harsh attitude of the public towards them.

The Latvian yacht 'Kaupo' has been out of contact for the last seven months, fears for the crew have now intensified and it seems the expedition team here in Latvia have asked a psychic for any ideas as to what might have happened to them.

The psychics response certainly covers all bases with 3 possible versions:

1. They are alive
2. They are on an island trying to survive
3. They have drowned

Wouldnt do good for the psychics professional credibility if they have been taken hostage by pirates.

Perhaps Valdis Zatlers, ex-surgeon and current President of Latvia, believes in the 'wipe with the left, shake with the right' protocol.

Thank god for the flowers that were recently placed at the Freedom Monument. Last Friday a drunk driver, protesting the current situation in Latvia, decided to take it out on Milda and headed straight for the moment. He had second thoughts though when he saw the flowers and only mounted a couple of steps, leaving the monument undamaged. "I wanted to smash the Freedom Monument, but then I saw the flowers and stopped. This is the only thing that stopped me, "said the driver. Perhaps we should replace the soldiers guarding the monument with a daily flower arrangment...