My Ancestry

One of the projects I'm involved in while in Latvia is to further the research on my ancestors.  Back in 1940, a family tree was done on my paternal grandmother Bone family, dating back to 1707.  It was quite a find in the family stuff after my parents died.  So I'm learning how to navigate the archives here in Riga and have discovered some relatives.  The most challenging part is going through the scanned church records without knowing which church to look in.  I am using the services of Antra, a Latvian-Canadian who has been living here for the last two years. She has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of geneology.  I just discovered that the last place my father lived is on the corner where I'm staying in Riga and my mother lived within a half mile from here.  They could have crossed paths before they even met years later in the DP camp. 

Staro Festival of Lights

This past weekend was great fun. Not only celebrating Latvia's Independence, but walking the streets of Riga and catching all the colorful displays and creativity with the annual Frstival of Lights.   A big reason for living in the heart of this great city is the opportunity to partake of the many festivities, just a short walk from my apartment. 

    Larger than life floral displays

   House of the Blackheads

  One of many bridges crossing canal

   Laser light show

  Freedom Monument 

   National museum of art 

    St Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Church

   St Gertrude's Ev Lutheran Church

Latvian National Holidays

  The Latvians are big on celebrations and weather poses no deterrent to getting out for the festivities. The patriotism and energy is palpable.  Last Friday was Lāĉplēšis Day, a memorial day for soldiers who fought for the independence of Latvia. It is celebrated on November 11 marking the victory over the West Russian Volunteer Army at the battle of Riga in 1919,  during the Latvian War of Independence. A popular Lāčplēsis Day tradition since 1988 is placing candles on and by the wall of Riga Castle. The name of the memorial day comes from the protagonist of the Latvian national epic, Lāčplēsis.  It's also the name of the street where I live.

Yesterday, November 18,  marked the Latvian day of Independence.  Latvian Independence Day commemorates declaration of independence of the Republic of Latvia from German and Russian occupation on November 18, 1918 after the end of the First World War. The country remained an independent state until the Second World War, when forces from the Soviet Union occupied the country on 17 June 1940.  Like the other Baltic republics, full independence from Soviet Russia occurred on 21 August 1991. The restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed on 4 May 1990. This second independence declaration is commemorated in the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia holiday on 4 May each year.

The parade of arms where the President of Latvia acknowledges each branch of the military.

I attended a great concert last night by a Latvian folk band Raxtu Raxti.  The audience really got into the spirit, clapping and singing along. The concert ended just in time to watch the fireworks display from the bridge over the Daugavas River.

Nothing but Gray Skies

It's been awhile since I posted and I've had several inquiries. Firstly,  I've been recuperating from a really bad sinus and bronchial infection.  Doesn't bode well for the weather here. It's been wet and not cold enough to generate snow consistently. So I've been hibernating in my cozy and warm apartment most days.

When I  first arrived,  I bought several tickets to the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, which is internationally recognized and generated such great sopranos like Elīna Garanĉa and Kristine Opolais, whose husband is a conductor.  I saw a performance of Verdi's Rigoletto, which I thoroughly enjoyed.  My mother was an opera lover and there was always some music while growing up, Although I don't enjoy the same passion for opera she did, I do appreciate it from time to time, much like Shakespearean plays in small doses. To switch things up, last week  I attended the ballet of Peer Gynt.  Like Rigoletto, I familiarized myself with the story so I had some idea of the plot.  Well they lost me when Peer goes off to Egypt and meets up with the Sphinx.

More on the culture later.

Nothing but blue skies.....

Haven't seen those in a week and as I watch the snow fall, the coffee shop is playing this song. How ironic--everywhere I go travelling, they play music from the US.

I move into my apartment on Monday which is in a great location--just minutes from Old Riga, museums, shops, cafes and restaurants.  Clothes wise I am ill-prepared for this weather, especially foot gear and outerwear.  In the meantime, layers ate working just fine. 

View from my room this morning

Riga Update

Almost a week since I arrived and I'm awaiting the availability of an apartment. The original place I found on VRBO was a bit misleading and then the owner wanted to raise the price, so I began my search anew.  I finally found a place on rentinriga.com which will rent short term. It's the same problem I had in Spain finding short term rentals at an affordable price.  Meanwhile I've reacquainted myself with Riga. I was here in 2013 for the Song and Dance Festival, a much different place--buzzing with tourists in mid-summer.  Riga is still beautiful in the fall/winter, although a bit wet and dreary compared to Spain. 

 In addition to LIDO, a cafeteria where you can get a decent meal for under 10€, the university is a few blocks away, and the food is better and cheaper. Not as many choices, but who can complain.  It's nice being at the pulse of Riga and I've had lots of practice with the language. They're all amazed that a person raised in America can speak the language.  I assured them that most of us first generation Americans grew up speaking the language at home.  Some even went to Saturday school to learn to read and write and Sunday school for religious teaching.  

The canal separating Old Riga from the Center

University in background  taken from Opera and Ballet Hall. 

 Many pedestrian bridges across canal

     Lido cafeteria  

Potato pancakes, salmon and eggs