unexpected phrases of the Olympics

[flea]

"The legendary Latvian beach volleyball teams..."

I mean, I knew Latvia had a sea coast, and checking Google Maps just now assures me it is in part sandy. But it's not exactly Southern California!

Comments

[makaidiver.livejournal.com]

No, it's meant in earnest. My former brother in law is Latvian, his family emigrated to the Bay Area by being sponsored by a Vallejo church organization, after the entire family was in a German prisoner of war camp for 6 years during/after WW II.

Latvia was annexed by Russia, and the Russians started coming and buying up all the good oceanfront properties, which mightily pissed off the Latvians, among the many things about Russia/Russians that piss off folks from the Baltic Nations. Anyway, if you are Russian, or from Latvia, Lithuania, or Estonia, the Latvian beaches are to Malibu. It's THE beach vacation spot.