Independence Day

Independence Day, 4th May
After an early breakfast we attended a special tree planting ceremony to mark the So Far but So Close Comenius Partnership.

The sky was overcast and there was a hint of rain in the air. The Principal, Sarmite Cunska, and others from the school lined up by the holes where the trees were going to be planted. After the singing of the Latvian National Anthem Sarmite gave a powerful, impassioned speech about Latvian Independence and what it meant in these times of economic hardship.

She also spoke about that fateful day 20 years ago when the vote was cast in the Legislature regarding regaining Latvia's independence. She spoke of the thousands that had come from all over Latvia to Riga, the capital, to witness the occasion. She spoke of the doors of the Legislature being opened and the Deputies came streaming out with their arms held up in the Victory gesture. She spoke of the tears of joy and the cheers when there was a roll call of each Deputy and how they had voted. Latvia had regained its independence it had so violently lost in 1940!

Two trees were planted, a Lime and an Oak. We all helped plant the trees into the soil of Latvia.

Ash

We had been on the coach heading towards Riga for about half an hour with another three and a half hours to go when I got a text from Helen Newton, the girls Class Guardian. She informed us that there were problems with the Icelandic volcanic ash again and that some of Scottish airspace had been closed. The text traffic increased as we got closer to Riga. I was getting information from various sources. However, we did not get a definitive answer as to whether we would be able to get a flight back to Scotland or not. Our plane was coming from Prestwick to Riga and then returning back to Prestwick. At the airport, nobody could tell us what the situation was. I then received another text. The plane from Prestwick had departed on time!

Home

We arrived back in Edinburgh exactly 12 hours after leaving Balvi. We had a really successful trip, better than we could have ever hoped for. The girls were wonderful; they worked hard and produced high quality dresses and wooden toys. I'd like to say on behalf of Foppe, Leonie and myself a big thank you to the girls for making it such an unforgettable experience.

The spirit of Comenius is truly alive.