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"For me the most striking thing in any new country is strange
coincidences of unknown foreign words with well-known English words. As
I have university degree in linguistics for me it is always very
interesting. I even see some mystery in this. I visited Latvia for the
first time three years ago and was enchanted by the words "Darba laiks"
that were written on the windows of shops. My Latvian friends explained
the meaning - just "working hours" - but for my English ear it sounded
like name of a fairy-tale hero. Another example - my friend from the
USA laughed when I told him that I had visited Riga because it was the
name of an unpleasant and awkward character in some American TV-show.
But once I experienced a real shock. It was late evening and me and my
friends were driving around Riga when I saw frightening road-sign
"Ogre". I even caught driver's arm and asked him to stop. My
imagination created a place full of ugly and aggressive monsters that
were waiting ahead. Friends laughed at me and said that it was just the
name of a small and cosy town. The town was really cosy and friendly
and I was relieved but, understandably, disappointed because everyone
deep in his heart hopes to experience a wonderful adventure in an
unknown country".
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