A woman counts coins in her wallet at a central market in Riga March 5, 2008. Until recently eastern Europe had strong growth, but prices were fairly steady: now, led by food and fuel prices, basic necessities are rapidly being priced beyond people's reach. The elderly are feeling the sharpest punishment for their governments' ambitions in taking the eastern European states into the European Union. But prices surging at double-digit rates also pose a dilemma for officials who are forced to choose between supporting growth and capping prices. Picture taken March 5, 2008. To match feature EAST-INFLATION/. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins (LATVIA)