Latvia isn't very far at all from St Peteys, we just hopped on an overnight bus and there we were… arriving at 5am isn't the greatest, especially when cafes aren't open 24hours like they are here, but after a very long breakfast we started exploring and all was good.
I always enjoy a cheeky coach journey, especially when it's pretty empty and each person has a couple of seats, however this did mean that I fell asleep at the border crossing only to be awoken by a security man in a scary uniform and a furry hat staring at me because I needed to give him my passport. Awks.
So Riga is gorgeous, the main thing being its old town with lovely little buildings and cobbled streets (bit like Tallin) but throughout the city there is amazing architecture and lots to do. We found a little market with lots of local food to try, crafts, jewellery and a little band playing while people did what seemed to be the Latvian Hokey-kokey. While we were wondering around the old town we were joined by a large group of people in very very interesting costumes. Including a man dressed as a mermaid - my personal favourite. These people had no audience apart from us and a few other passers-by but none-the-less began to sing, dance and recite poetry, it was quite simply stunning, and no-one had a clue what was going on, but it was a lot of fun, until they tried to get us to join in with the dancing. (I cannot think of a fitting word to describe them in any of the languages I know). While we were there it also happened to be Riga's celebration for being the current cultural capital of Europe and we stumbled across a Latvian band playing - this was also a lot of fun, especially due to their excellent dance moves and rendition of some cheesy English songs, but I don't think it could quite compete with the mermaid.
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| Check out the mermaid! |
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| Amazing |
Little market - free samples (or at least I hope that's what they were - language barriers can cause issues!)
Now back to Rossiya...
On Saturday it was International Women's Day which is hugeee here - it seemed that nearly every woman walking down Nevsky was carrying flowers and smiling, was really lovely. Russia has a lot of pubic holidays - including those for mothers, fathers, women, men, children and teachers! I've been told that in May there are about 7 days off - how exciting! This morning on the way to school a woman just gave me a bunch of flowers and said "Happy Holiday", what a start to the week :) oh Russia. Lots of florists here are open 24 hours - I don't know who is buying bouquets at 3am, but apparently they do!
P.S - Babushka quote of the week "Ah, Leeza, I think we've found our mutual language - food!" This, it must be said, was quite a while after the Holodetz incident - which is basically bits of meat floating in jelly/fat and considered a real delicacy kept for special occasions - when my babushka was quite offended that I only had one helping.
Love, Лиза
