In Liepāja, birds return as fast as train, maple syrup ordered from Riga

Last week, all of Latvia watched in excitement as migratory birds returned and maple sap began to flow. In Liepāja, of course, the situation is a bit different.

First of all, our cranes didn't fly from southern lands - they simply emerged from Karosta prison, where they wintered together with artist groups and rock music fans. As local birdwatcher Valdis tells us: "I saw a crane get off tram number 6 and head straight to the central market. Very cultured behavior, it had even bought a ticket."

As for maple syrup in Liepāja, one can only dream. Our tree beverage is salt water with seaside aroma, and it's just as delicious as Riga's maple syrup, only much more honest. The local café "By the Sea" even offers a special cocktail "Liepāja Spring" - it's a hot tea blend with sea salt and nostalgia.

In Riga, of course, everyone celebrates spotting a skylark. In Liepāja we hear skylarks all year round - they live in our hearts along with rock music and Karosta stories. And while Riga residents run around Daugavgrīva with binoculars, we peacefully drink coffee and watch plovers play football on the beach.

So spring has arrived in Liepāja too, only for us it comes not from the heavens, but from the sea - with salty air and the promise that soon we can sit by Lake Liepāja again and pretend we're in the best city in the world. Because that's exactly what we are.