Safety in Daugavpils, Latvia What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
People’s Opinions
Things were very safe in Daugavpils. It’s a very near the Russian border and heavily influenced by that so most people speak Russian and not Latvian. That being said, in some areas you will need to have at least a copy of your passport with you. Its a fairly small and conservative town so most places close pretty early and you really have no reason to be out too much after it gets dark, but if you do- just go in pairs of two or three- drinking is a big problem in Latvia and you may run into a few drunks at night. We stayed at a church while there and there is a gas station with a convenience store right across the street and that’s the only place we really went at night.
Ministry Summary
Ministry Summary in Daugavpils, Latvia Breakthroughs? Suggestions? Concerns? On a scale of 1-4 (1 being not at all, 4 being absolutely) how strongly would you recommend another World Race team go to this ministry location & why?
People’s Opinions
I loved our time in Daugavpils. Even though ESL teaching is not my favorite ministry, our contacts were some of my favorite from the race. Also having our mornings free to do other ministry and get out into the city was really great. On occasion it was hard to set up meetings with people because we taught every night, and many times people had school or work during the day- but sometimes we would take turns teaching while others went out. I would give this place a 4 out of 4 for working with them again!
Lodging
Lodging in Daugavpils, Latvia Where did you stay? What were the accommodations (sleeping arrangements, toilets, showers, etc.)? Cost (per person per night in USD), Contact info.
People’s Opinions
We stayed at the Baptist Church in Daugavpils and it was definitely one of the nicest places we stayed. There is an apartment on the third floor of the church with two bedrooms and a small living room space as well as a bathroom and shower. In the apartment there is some shelving and a small fridge, but the second floor has a large kitchen to cook in. there is also an additional restroom on the first floor. We loved living there, and we also had a neighbor who lived in a second, smaller apartment. The church cooks lunch for everyone on Sundays and there is a cleaning lady and a security/maintenance man who are in and out of the building very frequently- but no one would ever disturb us in the apartment. There was also a clothing ministry that the church held every so often- and they gave us winter clothes and everything that we needed for free (we came to the baltics in March, right after spending our first two months in Africa, so we did not have winter coats or many warm clothing at all) I don’t remember exactly what we paid them for lodging, but it was definitely in budget.
We stayed at the Baptist Church in Daugavpils and it was definitely one of the nicest places we stayed. There is an apartment on the third floor of the church with two bedrooms and a small living room space as well as a bathroom and shower. In the apartment there is some shelving and a small fridge, but the second floor has a large kitchen to cook in. there is also an additional restroom on the first floor. We loved living there, and we also had a neighbor who lived in a second, smaller apartment. The church cooks lunch for everyone on Sundays and there is a cleaning lady and a security/maintenance man who are in and out of the building very frequently- but no one would ever disturb us in the apartment. There was also a clothing ministry that the church held every so often- and they gave us winter clothes and everything that we needed for free (we came to the baltics in March, right after spending our first two months in Africa, so we did not have winter coats or many warm clothing at all) I don’t remember exactly what we paid them for lodging, but it was definitely in budget.
Food / Meals
Food / Meals in Daugavpils, Latvia What did you eat? Where did you get the food? Cost (per person per day in USD)? Contact info (if applicable).
People’s Opinions
We cooked a lot of our own food as we had easy access to an amazing kitchen, and it was much cheaper. However there are several church members who work at the nearby Hesburger and they would often give us discount whenever we came in 🙂 There are a lot of great coffee shops and cool local places- especially on the main walking street- but being that the Euro is what it is- they were a little pricey for World Race standards.
Transportation
Transportation in Daugavpils, Latvia What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
We walked most places, and the city is pretty easy to navigate. It’s not really that big of a place so you can get by not using the buses or trolleys- but they are fairly cheap to use. A lot of people will understand English and can help you figure them out very easily.
Medical
Medical in Daugavpils, Latvia Information on local hospitals / doctors / pharmacies. Where would someone go in a medical emergency? (addresses and contact info).
People’s Opinions
This is a fun one- my teammate had gotten Malaria in Africa but we did not find out until we were here. There is a closeby clinic where we first took her- but then they sent her to the hospital. It was pretty hygienic but not many people spoke English there- at least not very well- so you’ll need one of the contacts to go with you. They ended up transferring her to the Infectious Disease Center in Riga, as apparently no one in Latvia has ever gotten or seen a case of Malaria. Overall there were pretty quick with test results and took good care to see that she got where she needed to be
This is a fun one- my teammate had gotten Malaria in Africa but we did not find out until we were here. There is a closeby clinic where we first took her- but then they sent her to the hospital. It was pretty hygienic but not many people spoke English there- at least not very well- so you’ll need one of the contacts to go with you. They ended up transferring her to the Infectious Disease Center in Riga, as apparently no one in Latvia has ever gotten or seen a case of Malaria. Overall there were pretty quick with test results and took good care to see that she got where she needed to be
Communication
Communication in Daugavpils, Latvia Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
People’s Opinions
there was internet at the church where we were staying, but it was a little spotty up on the third floor so we would usually sit in the kitchen or lunch hall on the second floor. Also pretty much every cafe in Europe had free wifi…
Financial
Financial in Daugavpils, Latvia Location of banks or ATMs, notes about transaction fees, best places to exchange money, and other money related advice.
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Translators
Translators in Daugavpils, Latvia List any local translators – name and contact information, languages spoken
People’s Opinions
Our contacts spoke perfect English as well as Latvian, Russian, and a few others. It will probably be Russian that you learn more of but you will also need to know a few Latvian phrases as well – however a lot of people in the church speak English, and a lot of people in the city will know English as well. There is a big university there and many international students, so English is common enough you will not need a translator every time you go out.
Off Days / Fun Activities
Off Days / Fun Activities in Daugavpils, Latvia What activities did your team experience? Recommendations? List locations/contact info. Any locations to be avoided? Any extra safety tips for off days?
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Other Important Contacts
Other Important Contacts in Daugavpils, Latvia Additional ministry opportunities, local pastors, etc. Relationship & follow up suggestions
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Tips
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Additional Info
Additional Info in Daugavpils, Latvia Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?