Riga and Vilnius - Friday and Saturday September 9 & 10
The day began at the very modern Latvian National Library. The group moved on after putting things in lockers. For me three lockers didn't accept the one Euro coin. I just gave my things to the person in the cloak room. I could hear our guide but the group had already left to visit the conference center. I found a staff member, explained my need, and she took me up to the fifth floor where another group was meeting. We returned to the main floor, and I mentioned to her what our guide was saying, and the right group appeared. WHEW. We visited the 11th floor for a panoramic view of the city, old and new and the bay. Books are requested online and research is conducted here.
We had a very good lunch together in Old Town and visited the University bookstore nearby. I learned that students don't use texts, rather they read their required materials onlin, saving lots of money.
We visited the outdoor Jewish ghetto with photos and dates and a box car and typical home of a Jewish family before WW2. This was a time to look, read, and reflect.
We then visited the Occupation Museum. Filled with photos, recorded interviews, films, paraphernalia from the time if Nazi and Russian occupations. The Russians, then the Nazis, followed by the Soviets occupied these three Baltic countries for most of the 20th century until 1991.
Upon returning to the hotel I realized that my wallet was not in my purse. Credit and debit cards and US cash and Euros were in it. The hotel helped me contact Kristine who had the afternoon and evening off, for assistance.
Nevertheless I joined a small group for supper and the Latvian National ballet performance of a majestic work of the Polish Court which is attacked by a Crimean tartar and killed. The Polish princess is abducted to Crimea, and the leader wants her in his harem. She refuses, the leader of the harem becomes jealous, and they both end up dead. It was an engaging story with excellent dancing.
At the hotel Kristine let me know that our bus driver, Agris, did not find the wallet in the bus, and the staff at the Occupation Museum did not find it in any lockers. I blocked the credit and debit cards. I had already agreed to eat whatever Norma does not eat for the two remaining meals when we are on our own. Norma is around my age and consistently eats about a third of the food placed in front of her. She states she has always eaten very little.
I went to bed knowing I needed to sleep.
Our luggage needed to be outside our door by 7:30 this morning, and got on the bus for a day long ride to Vilnius, Lithuania 🇱🇹. At breakfast I learned that a group member. Ruth, had fallen between curb and cobbled street and broke her wrist. Kristine came to assist in the medical treatment process. Ruth now wears a cast and sling and walks as usual using a cane.
Our first stop was at a summer palace for dukes and was mostly harmed in the war's and occupations. Renovation continues after it was used as a hospital in WW2 and later as a school by the Soviets. Its opulence and woven wall coverings, paintings on ceilings, bas relief flowers on the walls, beautiful wooden floors, and lively formal garden. I throughly enjoyed the quiet walk through the garden.
We ate lunch together at a country restaurant in 🇱🇹 we had salmon and a wonderfully fresh salad and sherbet and fresh berries. We continued to the hill of crosses, thousands. It began with a legend and continued as a former of resistance to the Soviets who bulldozed many times only to see them return. It was impressive learning that newly married couples come and buy and set out a small wooden cross as a sign of hope for their marriage. We saw several couples in the short time we were there.
On the bus Kristine showed a video of Riga architecture accompanied by classical music. Farmed fields and woods surrounded us on both sides. We arrived at our hotel around 6:15 PM, found our rooms and met at 7 for a wonderful supper of tomato soup, chicken breasts with vegetables and very tasty sauce and presentation. Dessert was pistachio cake. The setting and view from large windows was spectacular.
We then took a short 30 minute orientation walk with Kristine. The hotel is located on the main street of Old Town, and there were lots of people out. We came in knowing we would sleep well tonight.
Gute Nacht, Mom/Susan
Comments
Post a Comment