We had a break recently as well. Normally, I would travel if given a week off. But this time I chose to stay and see more of Latvia. I have to admit, I am in love with this place! It's absolutely gorgeous. Here's a bit about what I did and saw...
I started the first weekend off with the always exciting apartment cleaning! I love cleaning. Except vacuuming.... it's so loud. I am sure my downstairs neighbors really appreciated that at 8am on a Saturday. heheehe! It actually rained for a large portion of the break, but I love the rain. I did some shopping on Saturday! Found some lovely boots, just in time too because the temperatures started dropping as fast as the rain fall!
We ventured to Lithuania on Monday. We being myself, two other teachers, their visiting friends, and the school's director. It took a whole 2.5 hours to get there. Half way there we realized we didn't have our passports, but it's okay since the border consisted of a small building, a few flags, and two officers (who, I think, were asleep!). haha. There is spot in middle-of-nowhere, Lithuania called the "Hill of Crosses." It was set up as a memorial and sign of defiance and resistance centuries ago. Over the years more and more crosses were added for various reasons and causes. It was also completely demolished a few times by the soviets but has always come back. Now, there are hundreds and thousands of crosses there from all over the world.
On Tuesday we went to Turaida near Sigulda. The name means God's Garden and I can see why- it was beautiful. It's an open air museum featuring some castle ramparts and ruins. It felt a bit like Greenfield Village just showcasing a different era. Latvia is very flat, but this castle is situated in the one hilly region the country has to offer. The day we went was rainy, and there was lots of steam rising off the local river and low hanging clouds that made the setting even better.
After exploring the castle and museum for a bit we decided to stop for lunch. The place we found was empty except for one other group. We sat down and began looking at the menu. It was then I realized the family was speaking English. And that I recognized their voices. I peeked around the corner to see not one, but two of my students. To be fair they are twins, but that still counts as two. They spotted us on the way out and said a quick hello. They even offered a recommendation for the shrimp.
On Wednesday, the others toured about Riga's Art Nouveau district. Riga is actually quite a popular destination for architecture nuts and Art Nouveau enthusiasts especially. Since I live in that district, I opted to do other exciting things like go to the bank and the grocery store. I also made some delicious soup and attempted an apple crisp in my microvenish. I also thought about doing some of that work I brought home. It's the thought that counts right ;)
On Thursday we were back on the road again, this time to the Koknese castle ruins. The castle sits a the meeting place of two large rivers. It changed hands a few times between Poles, Swedes, Russians, and everyone else who likes to beat up on little Latvia. In the 1700s it was blown up and never rebuilt. Instead it was flooded for bit after a hydroelectric station was put in. Now the ruins go right down to the water, but not in. From some perspectives, I'm sure it looks as though they rise up out of it. It was super cold on Thursday, so we didn't stay out for long. Instead we found a quaint little cafe for lunch. It was traditional Latvian food, some of which we couldn't identify. But it was good. And it was warm!
The last place we visited was the Salaspils Concentration Camp memorial. It's hidden away in a forest only a few miles from Riga. You could take a city bus out to it, it's that close. This particular camp was more of a transitional and 'work education camp' but still a somber place to visit. Many of the memorials were covered with stuffed animals and children's toys because of the large number of children who were at the camp. Most of the memorial was built by the Soviets, which is interesting since evidence was found that the Soviets were guilty of committing crimes there as well.
On Friday I finally started looking at the work I brought home and that largely consumed my Saturday and Sunday. It rained all day again on Sunday so I stayed in my cozy (and clean) apartment. Even after a week and some odd days off, the break still went too fast!
I started the first weekend off with the always exciting apartment cleaning! I love cleaning. Except vacuuming.... it's so loud. I am sure my downstairs neighbors really appreciated that at 8am on a Saturday. heheehe! It actually rained for a large portion of the break, but I love the rain. I did some shopping on Saturday! Found some lovely boots, just in time too because the temperatures started dropping as fast as the rain fall! We ventured to Lithuania on Monday. We being myself, two other teachers, their visiting friends, and the school's director. It took a whole 2.5 hours to get there. Half way there we realized we didn't have our passports, but it's okay since the border consisted of a small building, a few flags, and two officers (who, I think, were asleep!). haha. There is spot in middle-of-nowhere, Lithuania called the "Hill of Crosses." It was set up as a memorial and sign of defiance and resistance centuries ago. Over the years more and more crosses were added for various reasons and causes. It was also completely demolished a few times by the soviets but has always come back. Now, there are hundreds and thousands of crosses there from all over the world.On Tuesday we went to Turaida near Sigulda. The name means God's Garden and I can see why- it was beautiful. It's an open air museum featuring some castle ramparts and ruins. It felt a bit like Greenfield Village just showcasing a different era. Latvia is very flat, but this castle is situated in the one hilly region the country has to offer. The day we went was rainy, and there was lots of steam rising off the local river and low hanging clouds that made the setting even better.
On Wednesday, the others toured about Riga's Art Nouveau district. Riga is actually quite a popular destination for architecture nuts and Art Nouveau enthusiasts especially. Since I live in that district, I opted to do other exciting things like go to the bank and the grocery store. I also made some delicious soup and attempted an apple crisp in my microvenish. I also thought about doing some of that work I brought home. It's the thought that counts right ;)
On Thursday we were back on the road again, this time to the Koknese castle ruins. The castle sits a the meeting place of two large rivers. It changed hands a few times between Poles, Swedes, Russians, and everyone else who likes to beat up on little Latvia. In the 1700s it was blown up and never rebuilt. Instead it was flooded for bit after a hydroelectric station was put in. Now the ruins go right down to the water, but not in. From some perspectives, I'm sure it looks as though they rise up out of it. It was super cold on Thursday, so we didn't stay out for long. Instead we found a quaint little cafe for lunch. It was traditional Latvian food, some of which we couldn't identify. But it was good. And it was warm!
The last place we visited was the Salaspils Concentration Camp memorial. It's hidden away in a forest only a few miles from Riga. You could take a city bus out to it, it's that close. This particular camp was more of a transitional and 'work education camp' but still a somber place to visit. Many of the memorials were covered with stuffed animals and children's toys because of the large number of children who were at the camp. Most of the memorial was built by the Soviets, which is interesting since evidence was found that the Soviets were guilty of committing crimes there as well.
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