gregorykemp

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Latvia

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  • The Attaché outside our hotel wearing her leprechaun coat.

    The Attaché outside our hotel wearing her leprechaun coat.

  • Hotel window.

    Hotel window.

  • View from hotel window.

    View from hotel window.

  • Evening view from hotel window.

    Evening view from hotel window.

  • Greg relieved that he remembered PIN code on the third try for his alternate bank card after his primary bank card surprised him with the news: "Not Enough Funds."

    Greg relieved that he remembered PIN code on the third try for his alternate bank card after his primary bank card surprised him with the news: "Not Enough Funds."

  • I know three words now in Latvian: Restaurant, Steak, and House.

    I know three words now in Latvian: Restaurant, Steak, and House.

  • Plenty of nice old building and churches in Riga.

    Plenty of nice old building and churches in Riga.

  • Outside the National Opera House.

    Outside the National Opera House.

  • Turkey sandwich.

    Turkey sandwich.

  • The old city is pedestrian only and pretty big. It was nice to wander the quiet streets.

    The old city is pedestrian only and pretty big. It was nice to wander the quiet streets.

  • The Occupation Museum of Latvia. The museum touts itself as "the unbiased account of how the Russians *%$&ed us." Honestly, I saw an ad in the weekly free tourist magazine that pretty much said exactly that. It is shocking to learn about what happened to Latvia during WW2 and then what Latvia endured as an unwilling member of the USSR.

    The Occupation Museum of Latvia. The museum touts itself as "the unbiased account of how the Russians *%$&ed us." Honestly, I saw an ad in the weekly free tourist magazine that pretty much said exactly that. It is shocking to learn about what happened to Latvia during WW2 and then what Latvia endured as an unwilling member of the USSR.

  • Supposedly the most important monument for Latvians, Freedom Monument honors soldiers killed. It's a fantastic monument.

    Supposedly the most important monument for Latvians, Freedom Monument honors soldiers killed. It's a fantastic monument.

  • Riga is a beautiful city. One one side of the old town is the river Daugava, a very large river, and on the opposite side of the city is this canal park with many small pedestrian foot bridges.

    Riga is a beautiful city. One one side of the old town is the river Daugava, a very large river, and on the opposite side of the city is this canal park with many small pedestrian foot bridges.

  • The canal park.

    The canal park.

  • Statues in canal park.

    Statues in canal park.

  • Riga street scene.

    Riga street scene.

  • Crazy menu! Beers for 0.70 LVLs. That's about a buck twenty-five. Shweeet!

    Crazy menu! Beers for 0.70 LVLs. That's about a buck twenty-five. Shweeet!

  • We visited a local market. They eat tomatoes in Latvia just like we do.

    We visited a local market. They eat tomatoes in Latvia just like we do.

  • Local market. We sampled the fresh strawberries.

    Local market. We sampled the fresh strawberries.

  • The Attaché looking foolish.

    The Attaché looking foolish.

  • Latvia must be the stag-party capitol of Europe because we saw about twenty groups of dudes in two days. The guys were mostly from the UK.

    Latvia must be the stag-party capitol of Europe because we saw about twenty groups of dudes in two days. The guys were mostly from the UK.

  • The Attaché was not aware I took this picture, nor was she aware of the sign. The store was actually a legit clothing store.

    The Attaché was not aware I took this picture, nor was she aware of the sign. The store was actually a legit clothing store.

  • A small parade. I have no idea what the occasion was.

    A small parade. I have no idea what the occasion was.

  • The parade people gave me a Latvian flag. The Latvian flag is one of the oldest in Europe and actually has a pretty neat reason for the design. Really ong ago (13th century I think) the Latvians were fighting somebody (probably the Russians) and their leader was killed and fell on a white sheet and bled on either side of his body. A Latvian soldier raised the sheet to rally the army and the flag was born.

    The parade people gave me a Latvian flag. The Latvian flag is one of the oldest in Europe and actually has a pretty neat reason for the design. Really ong ago (13th century I think) the Latvians were fighting somebody (probably the Russians) and their leader was killed and fell on a white sheet and bled on either side of his body. A Latvian soldier raised the sheet to rally the army and the flag was born.

  • Me taking a picture.

    Me taking a picture.

  • Riga street scene.

    Riga street scene.

  • Riga church.

    Riga church.

  • Rubber ducky.

    Rubber ducky.

  • I'm pretty sure this little sculpture is from a fairy tale. We noticed several people reciting in front of the statue and then rubbing the noses of the animals, presumably for good luck. I hope they weren't cursing us. I'd hate to be cursed by a Latvian.

    I'm pretty sure this little sculpture is from a fairy tale. We noticed several people reciting in front of the statue and then rubbing the noses of the animals, presumably for good luck. I hope they weren't cursing us. I'd hate to be cursed by a Latvian.

  • Church.

    Church.

  • Church.

    Church.

  • I like this billboard. It was one of the nicest billboards I've ever seen.

    I like this billboard. It was one of the nicest billboards I've ever seen.

  • It was so nice we had to visit it twice.

    It was so nice we had to visit it twice.

  • Lunch on the streets of Riga.

    Lunch on the streets of Riga.

  • Riga Plaza.

    Riga Plaza.

  • "Statue of the Fat Latvian Soldier." (my name, not theirs)

    "Statue of the Fat Latvian Soldier." (my name, not theirs)

  • Race Day!! Hundreds of wildlife killing balloons!

    Race Day!! Hundreds of wildlife killing balloons!

  • Pre-race.

    Pre-race.

  • We're on the move.

    We're on the move.

  • "Foot". I learned this technique from a friend Bob Medeiros.

    "Foot". I learned this technique from a friend Bob Medeiros.

  • The marathon route went right past small cafes and restaurant.

    The marathon route went right past small cafes and restaurant.

  • The Attache looking strong at mile 7 (of 13)

    The Attache looking strong at mile 7 (of 13)

  • The Joy of Running 1

    The Joy of Running 1

  • The Joy of Running 2

    The Joy of Running 2

  • The Joy of Running 3

    The Joy of Running 3

  • The Joy of Running 4

    The Joy of Running 4

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    Greg relieved that he remembered PIN code on the third try for his alternate bank card after his primary bank card surprised him with the news: "Not Enough Funds."
    I know three words now in Latvian: Restaurant, Steak, and House.
    Plenty of nice old building and churches in Riga.