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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Where the Magic Happens



Kuldiga-a small Latvian town where all the magic happens. It is almost surreal; soviet buildings clash with the castle ruins while being offset by Europe's widest waterfall, the Ventas Rumba. G's family was kind enough to welcome us for a night- short but sweet. They lived in a wonderfully rustic old house from the 1700's. We walked around most of Kuldiga and then climbed a wooden tower to see the view. Though the weather was a bit drab (it was in March after all), I soaked in the quaint peacefulness and solitude of this village. And what visit to Kuldiga would be complete without paying homage to its famous makeout spot? This alley of love is where all the magic happens...

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Who Needs Sleep?



Who needs sleep when there's a whole world to explore? My friend B and I flew from Detroit to Latvia with a few layovers, and made it safely to Riga. After fourteen hours of anticipation, we were disappointed by the aiport's surroundings. Never fear; the airport is outside of Riga. Our friend G picked us up, and our adrenaline kept us going. Tea and coffee are staples in this bustling city, and we also stopped at a scrumptious pancake cafe. Walking around Old Riga was like turning back the pages of time. The Swedish Gates, the House of Blackheads, and St. Peters Lutheran Church are just a few of the many sights to see. The Art-Nouveau architecture is breathtaking; every doorknob, every streetlamp was unique. The cobblestone streets require some navigating, but they complete the atmosphere of Old Riga. We went to a Mideval restaurant, Rozengrais, for dinner in Old Riga- a true gem. We were each given a package when we were seated and we promptly opened them. It was bread! We drank kvass for the first time (a drink that is nonalcoholic but tastes like beer) and I had steamed pumpkin. We wrapped up the night by going to a concert at Dirty Deals Cafe, run by G's cousin, K. It's an eclectic bar/venue for theater and music. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4r6zSUU1DE
We wrapped up the night by going to bed; after 40 hours of adventure, we thought we were due for some shut eye...

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