Today is the day aka Līgo, Līgo!

The feeling of happiness evolves! *big, big smile*
Alanis (the one who's Morissette) was so right about the irony of life - it does sneak up on you so many times and then whooom! one moment..and all you can do is smile afterwards..

In other news: have been quite busy today - biking around the town, shopping (not fun at all if the holes in your budget are growing bigger and bigger and therefore it's a tough mission impossible to keep yourself off from the temptation of buying anything that comes in the sight) and now being bloody tired.

But I don't care at all, because today is the The Midsummer night (Līgo vakars), my very favourite Latvian holiday!!!

A bit about the tradition from back home:

Many ancient traditions that have disappeared in Europe are alive and well in Latvia. Especially Midsummer Night (June 23). This 2-day celebration of the summer solstice is the biggest and most beloved holiday in Latvia.

Latvia's Midsummer night celebration is called Jāņi (specifically 23 June - Jāņu diena) in Latvian, and it is the one night of the year that you must never sleep and have to wait for the sunrise. Most activities are outside and center around a huge bonfire. Girls pick meadow flowers to make wreaths for their hair, while men named Jānis get a bushy crown of oak leaves around their heads.

Jānis is the most popular male name in Latvia and comparable to 'John'. Traditionally, people in the countryside made their own special cheese and beer for the festivities and went from home to home, sharing their goodies and singing traditional songs. They'd gather around the bonfire to sing special 'Līgo' songs that can only be sung on this night. Several thousand songs sing about Saule (Sun), the sky son Jānis, the hosts of each farmstead - "mother" and "father" of Midsummer, and the Jānis children - the celebrants who go from farm to farm singing and bringing blessings with their songs, picking Jāņi-herbs along the road. Every phase of the celebration, each situation and its characteristics are sung about.

Although the sun sets briefly, it doesn't get dark and everyone must be awake to greet the rising sun in the morning. A naked romp into the nearest lake or river is a must for men - and the women who cheer them on. Young couples Like to go into the forest and search for the Legendary and mythical fern blossom (which, according to legend, opens its magic golden flower only on Midsummer Eve). Or so they say. And when you greet the morning sun, you have to wash your face in the grass's morning dew, which on Jāņi morning is said to have particularly beneficial properties.

That's it in general, I'm off to have some dinner and then go and see how the Danish people celebrate the Midsummer night.

Drink beer, eat cumin cheese and drive safely back home! See you soon!