[latvian_liene]

Info that I know from first hand experience...

I am a Latvian-American, first generation. My parents were born in DP (displaced persons) camps in Germany, but my grandparents and several of my aunts and uncles were born in Latvia.

I was there for about 3 weeks in 2001. This is what I know. The alcoholism is high among men, not women. There probably are women who are alcoholics as well, but not quite like the men. So, I doubt there is a high risk for FAS/FAE children.

I've been asked a million times why I haven't tried adopting from Latvia before. When my husband and I started our adoption journey 3 years ago, we could've probably had a child by now. But there's no guarantee.

I also am at a slight advantage because I have family still there and many friends that I could stay with because of the residency requirement...plus I know the language and have since I could speak. That doesn't bother me so much.

I hate to say this, but Latvia has a huge problem with outsiders...and in a sense, who can blame them. Most of their existence over the past 200 years has been under the Germans, the Russians, the Swedes, etc. But, I think that they need to lighten up a bit too. Rather than letting children sit in orphanages, they need to let them go to good homes.

I've tried to get in touch with a few agencies that deal with adoption through Latvia and have yet to hear back. We are currently pursuing domestic adoption and if that works out anytime soon, we'll be right on track to adopt from Latvia if it's going to take 2-3 years. Whoever posted that they are working with an attorney, I would love to get more info from you about it.

I'm not sure if I would have an easier time because I am Latvian and plan on raising my child in a Latvian home, learning the language, etc. I have an aunt who has lots of connections, particularly in Riga doing some searching for me. I talked to her a few weeks ago and have yet to hear back.

Sorry this is so long. If anyone has questions about Latvia, etc...I will try to answer them.