Willow Sunday (Palm Sunday) in Latvia!

Today has been another fantastic day!

I awoke to Inga's invocation of the Willow Sunday blessing: "May you be round as a willow, flexible as a twig, health in and sickness out!"


We also had two harbingers of prosperity during the day - Inga swinging on the swing and a stork in its nest!

Inga's son, Ivo, kindly drove us to the countryside to witness the beauty of the Gauja National Park and to experience history of past centuries in Latvia by visiting several castles and fortifications.


We began in Araisi where an island fortress was first established in the 9th century, and a walled fortress was built nearby a few centuries later.




We proceeded to Ligatne to experience a Secret Soviet Bunker tour. It was amazing to descend three stories and enter the bunker - it was damp and smelled like "underground."


It was very interesting to see the telex and phone equipment from the 70s, and to see the maps indicating projected flooding and fallout in the case of nuclear attack...

It was also a bit unnerving to see Lenin's face in most of the rooms we toured. We even had a meagre Soviet bunker lunch!



We continued our Latvian history tour with a stop in Cesis to view its castle, and we also saw the monument to the Estonian student brigade that fought against the German forces between 1919 and 1920 (yes, WWI Armistice was in effect, but there were German troops still fighting in Latvia).




We finally arrived in Sigulda to experience Turaida, a Middle Ages castle and fortress.

It was well preserved with a thorough exhibition of archeological evidence excavated when the castle was explored and opened to the public



The view from the tower was spectacular!


We also learned the legend of Turaida Roza, and visited the cave where she was brutally threatened and where she offered her life to save her purity.


Newly married couples traditionally visit the grave of Turaida Roza soon after they wed.


We ended the wonderful day with a meal at the largest Lido Latvian cuisine restaurant.


It is well decorated for Easter, and the grounds provide young and old opportunities for diversion.


I return to the school to lead classes in the morning. I hope the SMART board I have requested arrives on time to allow me to "do my education magic!"
Untill later... Labvakar!