Latvia Celebrates Independence Day

96 years ago, Latvia declared independence from Russia on November 18, 1918 in the immediate aftermath of World War I. The red and white flag was chosen as the Latvian National Flag.

In the following years, Latvia was captured and declared a Soviet Socialist Republic in 1919; recognized as an independent nation again in 1921; occupied first by the Soviet Union and then by Nazi Germany under the covert Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in 1939; and eventually by the Soviet Union again after World War II.

Earlier this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Baltic Way event when significant peaceful protests from the three Baltic countries - Latvia, Lithunaia, and Estonia rallied against oppression under the Soviet Union in 1989. Latvia regained its independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Postcard LV-79087 from Latvia shows the cityscape of Riga, the capital of Latvia. Its Art Nouveau center was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Live ... Like Someone Left the Gate Open

Postcard US-2598772 to Latvia just arrived in time on the first day in the Year of the Horse.  Horse (馬) is one of the 12-year cycle of animals, in the order of the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Horse starts on January 31, 2014, and ends on February 18, 2015.

While the Horse represents animated, active and energetic characteristics, the Year of the Horse marks a time with conflicts and challenges that has to be met with endurance, hard work, and persistence. As President Obama noted in his State of Union address, it is a "Year of Action" that will result to a "Year of Progress".

Now, the gate is open ...

In the Chinese New Year display, Seven life-size horses running around a three-tier mountain with a majestic gold stallion on the top in the Conservatory & Botanical Gardens at Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The total number of eight represents good fortune in Chinese culture.

Watchman in Dazzling Light with an Agate Sky

Zion National Park was established by the U.S. Congress ninety four years ago on November 19, 1919. Postcard US-2468722 to Latvia was a magazine cutout from the Desert Companion, October 2013 issue. It was promoting the Plein Air Art Invitational featuring an acrylic painting on canvas, titled "the Watchman in Dazzling Light with an Agate Sky" by artist Buffalo Kaplinski. The event was held from November 4 to November 11, 2013 with free lectures, demonstrations public painting sales.

My First Postcard from Latvia

Discover Latvia

I just recently received my first postcard LV-110886 from Latvia. It shows Latvia's location in the Baltic region of Northern Europe with its national flag. It is surrounded by Estonia to the north; by Russia to the east; by Belarus to the southeast; and by Lithuania to the south. Sweden is located to its west across the Baltic sea. It has 2.07 million people and an area of 64,589 sq km (24,938 sq mi), making it one of the least populous and least densely populated countries of the European Union. The capital of Latvia is Riga.

Happy Halloween

Postcard US-1925565 to Latvia shows a life-size chocolate skeleton at Jean Philippe Patisserie in Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas currently on display for the Halloween. The 1.65 m or 5'5" skeleton sits on a chocolate electric chair. It was made of 35 kg white chocolate, 30 kg dark chocolate and 1.5 kg rolling fondant by two talented pastry team members who spent more than 70 working hours. They also have miniature chocolates in the shapes of black cats, ghost, and witches. The photo was taken on October 12, 2012.