Sunrise in Riga this morning was at 4.43 am. Sunset is at 10.14 pm tonight. Daylight hours are long at this time of the year. Blackout curtains are a must if you want to sleep!
After yesterday’s hail and torrential downpours, we woke to rain again this morning. It seems to be that it rains most nights and into mid -morning, then the weather clears and maybe even the sun might shine for a while. Then towards late afternoon the clouds re-appear, and the drizzle has started as I sit down to write this.
Today is a day off from orienteering, so we had to venture out, rain or shine, to take in some of the sights and sounds.
I wasn’t expecting Riga to be such a lovely city. The buildings are an interesting mix, from lovely Art Deco to the usual modern uglies. Unattractive multi-story residential buildings line the back streets, many of them left-overs from the soviet era. They don’t have “skyscrapers” here, no need as the population is not large.
Riga is a clean city with many beautiful green parks and gardens interspersed among the buildings. As we were walking along the river bank past the massive Freedom Monument (Brivibas Piemineklis) this morning we noticed lots of Police activity, with armoured vehicles and Police cars all over the place. Police were looking under cars with mirrors on long poles. We later found out that today was the inauguration of Latvia’s new president.
We explored Old Riga, wandering for a couple of hours up and down narrow streets and alleys buying some souvenirs along the way . This is where all the oldest churches and buildings are, and while the soviets destroyed much of Riga, they thankfully left this part of the city relatively unharmed.
Riga Cathedral (Doma Baznica) is the largest place of worship in the Baltics and has one of the biggest organs in Europe with a total of 6,718 pipes!!! While we were waiting for admission we listened to the last 10 minutes of an organ recital being held inside. The foundation stone for this building was laid in 1211. The walls are 2 meters thick! The stained glass windows are gorgeous, and the cloisters are filled with all kinds of ancient relics and carvings including a Napoleonic cannon and cannonballs.
After lunch in a restaurant serving Latvian food (very yummy) we proceeded to the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia 1940-1991. The museum is dedicated to the suffering caused by the nazi and soviet occupations of Latvia (I don’t honour these monsters by using capital letters).
Exhibits document the countless atrocities committed against Latvians, and the systematic destruction of this nation’s sovereignty. How they managed to keep their spirits up in all those years of occupation is a testament to their endurance and commitment for a free Latvia.
An amazing fact for you to consider. On 23rd August 1989 an estimated 2 million Latvians, Lithuanians and Estonians joined hands in a continuous human chain stretching for 650 kms from Tallinn, through Riga to Vilnius, as the largest ever protest against soviet rule. It took until August 1991 for the Moscow coup to collapse and Latvia was restored to independence when the ussr finally recognised independent Latvia.
I’m getting better at speaking Latvian and have a much better “ear” for what is being said. I understand people, and more surprisingly, they can understand me. It’s been many long years since I spoke the language so I’m pretty chuffed.
Riga’s transport system is excellent and efficient. Trams, trolley buses and ordinary buses abound, and people get around on alternative transport too. Bicycles are common, as are electric scooters and electric skateboards.
A few interesting facts about the competition. There are 42 competing countries. The country with the most competitors is Finland with 724 competitors, the second is Sweden with 590. Kazakhstan and Slovenia have the fewest competitors with just 1 each. Latvia has the 6th largest number of competitors at 191. Australia has 34.
The age groups with the largest number of competitors are M70 with 368 (forest) and 354 (sprint) and W60 with 238 (forest) and 228 (sprint). The second largest groups are M65 313 (forest) and 296 (sprint) and W65 with 230 (forest) and 225 (sprint). There are 4 in M90, and 4 in W90.
The middle distance forest qualifier is tomorrow, Tuesday 9th with the final on Wednesday 10th. Fingers crossed!
Ilze
dipidydoo 
So glad you’re enjoying the sights. Around every corner in the old city there is a surprise and a story. I loved it and especially after much searching and anguish, I found my dad’s home one street back from Duagavs (?river) just behind the main square. I found the accent very strange, it has been russianised somewhat. The food was fantastic….sounds like you’re enjoying it too. What’s the name of the hotel you’re staying at?xxx Liga
I notice that Peo Bengtsson is doing quite well in M85.
You’ve probably heard that Aston Key is now JWOC Sprint Champion.
Riga certainly looks like an interesting city and it must be great for you Ilze, especially as you can speak and understand. Great discussion at streetO last night about the locked door affecting many courses in the sprints.