Where else would I spend my final day in Latvia? Old town Riga, of course! I began this amazing adventure in Vecriga, the location of my first day exploring Riga and Latvia's history, so it makes perfect sense to complete my visit in Vecriga.
We began at Laima Clock, a traditional meeting point for friends in Old Riga.
Day one was cold and sunny, but today we had warm and bright weather. Inga accompanied me on a search for items to take home, and was patient with me as we scoured the souvenir shops looking for the "just right" gifts.
We toured the Occupation Museum and I pored over all the text and artifacts.
The exhibits were presented in four languages and there was so much to learn about the tragic history of Latvia's occupation in the twentieth century.
We met Beate who joined us for the rest of the day, and we had lunch...wait for it...at Lido, of course!
We then traveled to the Meza cemetary to visit the graves of some of Latvia's heroes: Zanis Lipke who saved Jews during the Nazi occupation, Rainis who wrote some of Latvia's greatest literature, and the Soldiers field; Beate described it as Latvia's Arlington Cemetary.
We also visited Meza Parks, the forest park in Riga where the Song and Dance festivals are held. Beate ahs performed at the festivals and showed us around the venue.
We returned to the Old city to have one last coffee culture experience, and I took leave of Beate wwho has been very kind to me. Inga and I continued on to locate the elusive souvenirs...and we found what I was hoping to find :) along with more Art Nouveau architecture!
Inga made dinner of grey peas and special forest mushrooms as a parting meal. Now, it's time to pack and prepare for tomorrow's very early flight homeward...
My two weeks in Latvia have exceeded any expectations I may have had. I have been treated with such kindness and care by Inga and her colleagues, and by her son and daughter...
Liels Paldies, Latvija! Briniskiga diena!
