Riga Old Town and Free Day

The day began later than usual.  When the alarm went off at 6 AM I felt a slight twinge in my throat and decided to sleep until 7. When I awakened at 8 I realized that my alarm did not go off for some strange reason. I showered and dressed and ate a piece of black bread and cheese, a few pieces of canned peach, and some tea. I really wasn't hungry, and the throat twinge was no longer there. HURRAH.

We met Kristine for an extensive walk through Old Town learning history as we looked at the architecture of Riga city, Parliament, Middle Ages Guild, Embassy and private structures and courtyards. Much of the history messages covered the 19th and 20th centuries.  Our walk concluded at the Freedom Monument, erected before WW2 and not destroyed by the Soviet Union after the war. The maiden Milda holds a ring above her head. The Soviets interpreted the monument to suit their propaganda; they also knew that the Latvian people had donated money to pay for the construction and rightly knew there would be a revolt if it were taken down. Milda faces the West by intention. The Soviets erected a stature not far away from Milda, and it faced the East. It has been taken down. This was a poignant message which Kristine gave us; it brought tears to her eyes. 

With some directions from Kristine we said farewell for the day, and eight of us headed for the Art Nouveau Museum, about a 20 minute walk through a park passing the Ukrainian Embassy we saw lots of anti-Russian postings as well as Ukrainian flags. Kristine had told us that Latvians are worried about Putin's intentions, having experienced life under the Soviets.

The Art Nouveau Museum displayed each of the rooms as lived in by wealthy families in the early 1900s. Decorations were opulent, extensive, and varied.  This is one of the largest collections of this style of architecture and decorations in Europe. 

We walked back to Old Town enjoying the sun and decreased wind. Nevertheless I would have been comfortable with gloves and a warm hat. We stopped for a sandwich and enjoyed sitting for a few minutes. My roommate Mary and I left the others to visit the tower of St Peter's church. Walking up three flights of stairs we were then taken by elevator three more stories to the viewing platform. From there we had spectacular views of the city- red roofs, courtyards, church steeples, large buildings and some tall ones and lots of green. On ground level I looked at pictures of the uprising here following the collapse of the Soviet Union. A line of people from Estonia, through Latvia, and Lithuania expressed the peoples' will. It received less press than the fall of the Berlin wall at the same time. I also took photos of the Latvian representative Congress note and approval of the constitution in 1991. These moved me as well as the simple nave. 

I got lost walking to the hotel, for Mary had not visited the nave. However it was daylight and I had a map and realized I had just walked the wrong direction leaving St. Peter's church.

With time to blog and rest my feet I was ready to meet most of our group to walk to our supper and later to the opera house to attend a performance if La Boheme. 

Well, I was wrong about the opera; it was Madame Butterfly with Latvian and English subtitles. Kristine purchased tickets for nine of us today, and ten of us sat in the orchestra.  The opera house is large and well-appointed. I have pictures of the inside and seats. We ate together at an elegant restaurant across the green and a few minutes distant.

I am very sad to learn of Queen Elizabeth's death today. It came as a surprise, even in spite of the fact that she had mobility issues and had canceled events due to ill health. I just read that she was just put on medical watch today.  I am honored to have been alive her entire reign.

Now it is time to rest for a full day tomorrow and ballet performance in the evening.

Gute Nacht, Mom/Susan


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