Yes, been through a few hotels since St. Petersburg. Went to Finland and crossed the Arctic Circle and almost froze, Helsinki, Estonia and now Riga.
We are in the old town and having a ball. It snowed quite a bit today - which is something we don’t see- and to see the local children make snowmen was great.
Also a private trip to Sigulda today and with the snow it was enchanting.
I am not sure Latvian beer is as good as Estonian, but hey- it is cheap.
Oh my gosh! Most of my extended family still lives in Latvia! My parents both came to the US during WWII. Will you be able to share some pictures?
Be sure to try some piragi. 
Have fun!
Pictures would be awesome.
Helena330 and Drunky Smurf, I have a stack of pictures but I am not sure where to store them anymore. I go on a guided tour of the old city tomorrow so there will be plenty more.
I could store them (pictures) on FB, however if there is an easier way please let me know.
You know, I just ordered the cutest upcycled wool diaper cover from an Etsy seller in Latvia. And then it was a big ole pain in the butt to get it the half mile from my local post office to me. Latvia to Columbia, fine. Devine St. to my house, not so much.
You just missed the big independence day celebrations!
I use imgur.com for pictures. It’s pretty simple (and free).
Thanks Helena 330. If I have done things correctly, a few pictures should be available here.
As fascinating as the city and country are, we managed to chat to a lady of about my vintage today. She was a uni student in 1971 and was able to tell us what it was like under the previous Soviet regime compared to today. For instance, back then, if you had the money and wanted to buy a car you had to apply to some authority/ trade union and (if approved) you would receive your car in about four to seven years. People would die before their car was available. Which led to used cars being more valuable than a new car.
There was a wealth of stories of her and her student friends getting smashed on vodka and being daring and singing the National Anthem “God Bless Latvia” which was forbidden.
I was there in May, if you haven’t toured the Powder Tower in old town then you should. It’s a nice war museum, and I think it’s free. I’m not sure if the KGB House is still open or not, might not be, but if it is it’s a very chilling place to visit.
There was a beer that I really liked, but I can’t remember the name of the beer, started with a V and was quite long.
Thanks Edward the Head, we saw the Powder Tower today but we were a bit rushed- especially as I found out we fly out tomorrow rather than having a spare day. We saw the KGB building yesterday although we didn’t enter. The usual joke about it having a good view- from the basement you could see Siberia.
And I know the beer you are talking about- we enjoyed a couple last night. But please don’t ask me to spell it.
Beautiful pictures! Thank you!
Vecpiebalgas? Good stuff.
Letts do it!
Is’nt it summer down under? Why does anyone travel to the FSU in the winter? Especially someone from the Southern Hemisphere.
On a serious note any commie architecture still around? Like the huge statues and murals they loved?
Got it wrong. It’s Valmiermuižas.