Journey into Riga, Latvia
Day 1: The city of Riga called us to her streets on a beautiful morning. Our journey took us from the Russian Church to Europe’s oldest open market, fresh from the trees and fresh from the sea. Our taste buds were met with some very local eats, from the 3-day pickled pickle to the best sweets and loaves of bread one can imagine and the most unique was fermented cabbage juice from the local sauerkraut. What I can tell you is the pickle was good, the sweets amazing, and that fermented cabbage juice, not so much. A local drink here is Basil Seeds and Kiwi drink, thick and seedy to say the least. But definitely worth the experience. I could have spent hours roaming and sampling the local eats in the market for sure. As time passed the weather quickly turned to gray skies and the temp plummeted. Needless to say, our sky-high view time we cut short just by the brisk winds and oddly enough the small wandering child that kept appearing in the most bizarre places at SkyView as if something straight from a horror movie (insert the horror thump music a few times). Add in a group of Western travelers and well you get the idea. None of us spoke Russian so we just decided the time to carry on to the next destination.
Russian influence is everywhere in Latvia, most are fluent in the language and the architecture is very Russian in many respects. Latvia is a small country in size and population so at times it seems no one is around and you have to remember it’s really a small city in comparison. Russia lies only a few hours to the East and Finland just a few hours North and Lithuania South. Latvia is a Baltic Country and is a part of the European Union so the currency is Euros. Like New England, this time of the year it is dark by 4:30 PM and we will be lucky to get above 45° this weekend.
So far, I can say from what I have just experienced today, I would definitely return to explore more of the region. Many are leaving the conference and heading to Tallinn, Russia then onwards to Helsinki.
Tonight the Opening Ceremonies for the Conference are at the Old Train Station, now a modern museum. So off to get ready for the evening.
Day 2: This has been amazing. Conference took most of today with amazing sessions and I met so many wonderful people. This evening we ate Local Latvian Food in a cave restaurant calledFolkklubs Ala Pagrabs and then walked around the Old City Of Riga. I even braved up to try the local Riga Black Balsam Original and I must say, OMG I nearly died it was so strong, and weenie I had all of half a tablespoon. Wow, not for the faint of any kind, kind of strong.
We walked back to the hotel in the heavy mist but new friendships and new experiences were the best. This is an amazing place and I will definitely return to explore more of the city and country. The Art Nouveau is beyond words, the history and architecture filled with fables and folklore adorn the silent echoes of times past of the cobblestone streets and the history of this city. I could easily spend weeks here just soaking in the culture and the local vibe. It’s hip and it’s rich in history. What an amazing place. You must come here, you simply must.