Viktor sits at his computer. He wants to finalise the details for a trip he’s taking with his family. At the end of summer, shortly before school starts again, they are going to St. Petersburg to visit Viktor’s sister Klara. In Viktor’s lap sits six-year-old Aleksandrs. Next to them sits nine-year-old Anna, who asks:

‘How will we get to St. Petersburg?’

‘We will go by train,’ replies Viktor.

‘Will it be the same train we take to go to Riga?’

‘No, it will be a different one. First, we’ll go to Riga by bus, then we’ll get on the train which goes to St. Petersburg. And in Petersburg we’ll take the metro and other kinds of public transport.’

‘Dad, what’s a metro?’ asks Aleksandrs.

‘A metro, Saša (Alex), is a kind of train, which goes…’

Viktor is not able to finish what he’s saying. Ināra comes into the room and interrupts him:

‘Chop chop, wash your hands, dinner’s ready!’

While the children are washing their hands, Ināra says to Viktor:

‘We will definitely have to take umbrellas and raincoats. I had a look at the weather forecast: it will be raining in St. Petersburg.’

‘Yes, you’re right! Thanks for reminding me! I’ll write them down on the list,’ Viktor types on his computer. ‘We should get ready lemonade, sandwiches and fruit to eat on the way. I’ll add them to the list too.’

‘OK. I’ll be in charge of the snacks, and you can be in charge of the umbrellas and raincoats – and the train tickets.’

Viktor is about to say that the tickets have already been bought, but just then he sees the email from Gundega.