SURVIVAL GUIDELet's Cement The Canyon!

Removing The Gap Between University and Profession

Welcome to LatviaLatvia is a Baltic country, a Baltic Sea country, a European country. In 2004 it became a NATO and EU country and is actively developing its special role in a rapidly changing, increasingly globalised world commu-nity. For travellers, the best thing about Latvia is that it is so compact. Its 500 km of sandy beaches are easily reached from historical towns, where medieval hanseatic foundations support baroque and art nouveau buildings, that become venues for cultural festivals during the summer. With such a variety, Latvia is best enjoyed slowly.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The coolest gadget of 20th century, thespy photocam Minox was invented in Latvia.• The story goes that first decorated Christmastree comes from Latvia in 1510. MartinLuther did it to show his children how the stars twinkled through the dark night.•Māris Štrombergs in the 2008 SummerOlympics became the first Olympicchampion in BMX cycling.

The Latvian Song and Dance Festival isone of the largest amateur choral eventsin the world. Approximately 30,000 performersaltogether participate in the event.•Latvia has the most women per men in Eastern and Western Europe (1,139 women per 1,000 men).

SOME FACTSFull name: Republic of LatviaFounded: November 18, 1918Area: 64,589 sq kmPopulation: 2,03 millionLanguage: LatvianGovernment: Parliamentary democracyCurrency: EURInternational code: LVTime: GMT +2International telephone code: +371Emergency phone numbers: 112

Hey, hello! (in local BEST group Riga)Thank you!Welcome/please!Excuse meYesNoMy name is...ShopBon appetit!WaterBeerGood night!Cheers!EngineerGood luck!PotatoeHelpYou have beautiful eyes!KissMmm, I like itNarrow Gauge Railroad

Čaviņas! Paldies!Lūdzu!PiedodietJāNēMani saucVeikalsLabu apetīti!ŪdensAlusAr labu naktiPriekā!InženierisVeiksmi!KartupelisPalīgāTev ir skaistas acis!BučaMmm, man patīk!Šaursliežu dzelzceļš

USEFUL WORDS & PHRASES

Language

What you need to survive:

• Your passport / ID card• ISIC card / student ID• MEDICAL AND TRAVEL INSURANCE• Medication (if you need any more special)• Personal hygiene: toothbrush, towel and other important stuff• Water-proof jacket - sometimes it may be raining• Some comfortable shoes to walk• Summer hat and sunscreen• Extra money - always useful• For international Evening: Typical typical food & alcohol of your country.• Something to present your country with (a flag or something).• Samart / smart casual clothes for official opening & closing• Swimsuit• Your positive and cheerful spirit

How to get to Riga

BY PLANE

Riga International Airport (Starptautiskā Lidosta Rīga in Latvian) (RIX) is located 10km southwest of Riga.

The following airlines offer service from/to Riga International Airport: Aeroflot, airBaltic, Belavia, Czech Airlines, Finnair, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Nor-wegian Air Shuttle, Ryanair, Turkish Airlines,Uzbekistan Airways, Wizz Air.

To travel from the airport to the city:• Bus 22 runs between the airport & the old town, with a stop near the central bus and railway stations. The journey to the old town takes 40 minutes. The bus stop is located opposite the entrance of the terminal. Cost of one ride buying from driver - €2.

There is a ticket machine at the bus stop (price - €1.15)

• Taxis can be expensive if a meter isused and a fixed price is not negotiated. Charges are as follows: €2.10 for embarka-tion plus €0.70/km; waiting costs €8.5/hour.The ride to the center takes 15 minutes.

BY BUS

There are international bus connections to anywhere in Europe,• Ecolines• Simple Express• Eurolines Lux Express• Flybus - Service between Riga andKaunas and Vilnius

BY FERRY

Tallink operates a daily ferry service between Stockholm and Riga. Prices start at €28.

BY TRAIN

Latvian Railways operates service to manycities in Latvia as well as a few cities in Russia, Belarus, and Estonia.

We will pick you up!Let us know as soon as possible the exact date and time of your arrival to Riga.Or meet you up at Kaļķu iela 1,

Public TransportationE-TICKET (e-talons)

Other opportunity: Paper ticket

• sold in public transport and in night transport only;• valid for the trip only – during which it has been bought;• Price 2,- EUR per 1 trip.

HOW TO USE E-TICKET?When entering public transport – bus, trolleybus or tram, a passenger has to apply a yellow or a blue e-ticket to an electronic validator. Thus the trip is registered and the passenger pays for the trip. Elec-tronic validators are located in public transport vehicles – buses, trolleybuses and trams and regis-ter passengers paying for the trip. When entering public transport, a passenger has to apply an e-ticket to an electronic validator

Price EUR --------------

1trip 1.152trips 2.304trips 4.605trips 5.7510trips 10.90

We suggest to choose a Yellow e-ticket

• for a certain number of trips;• it can be bought in ticket vending machines,kiosks of "Narvesen", "Latvia Post" offices in Riga and ticket trade outlets of "Rīgas satiksme" ;• it is convenient for passengers who do not use Riga public transport on a regular basis, including Riga guests;• tickets are to be used within 12 monthsupon the moment of purchase.

Currency and Prices

Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar Cappuccino (regular)Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)Water (0.33 liter bottle)Apples (1kg)Potato (1kg) Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro)Chocolate LAIMA

Since 2014 national currency of Latvia is euro. If you collect coins, be sure to get some. They are rare peace of metal.

€ 4.98€ 1.76

€ 0.86€ 0.67€ 0.91€ 0.42€ 5.4

€ 0.88€ 1.21€ 3.13

From € 0.30

Jolanta PočkajaMain Organiser Phone - +371 28764352E-mail: jolanta.pockaja@best.rtu.lv

Contacts

Madlena DrozdovaHR & Participant ResponsiblePhone - +371 28833475E-mail: madlena.drozdova@best.rtu.lv