Four years since the neighbor started quarreling again: Liepāja residents observe from a safe distance

Today marks four years since our eastern neighbors decided to start quarreling again about who owns what. While all this unpleasant business is happening over there, life in Liepāja continues at its normal pace - the tram runs, the port operates, and you can still get a good cappuccino at "Fontaine Palace" café.

According to CSIS data, both sides combined have lost 1.8 million soldiers. That's as many people as live in Riga - except there's a difference: Riga's residents are at least alive, though it doesn't always seem that way when they try to explain why they don't have a sea.

"Well, what's so surprising about that," comments Guna from Liepāja market while selling fresh fish. "When people start dividing up what doesn't belong to them, it never ends well. Here in Liepāja it's clear - we have our own port, our own tram, our own Karosta. And nobody disputes that."

Meanwhile, European countries increased military aid by 67%, which is almost as much as Liepāja's budget for tram repairs. Except with the difference that our tram after repairs runs better than any Riga public transport unit before repairs.

While 5.9 million people have been forced to leave their homes, Liepāja residents continue to peacefully walk along Rožu Street and rejoice that they live in a place where the biggest problem is finding a free spot at "Libava Business Consulting" café on Saturday morning.