Latvia 2

  

           The area in Riga that I enjoyed the most is the Central Market. I was like walking into a documentary about the Soviet time. Like living in a time capsule.
 
 
The Central Market used to be a train station...
and now it became a local market.
        
Inside the market are all kind of food and beverage shops operated by small families. Each of them has their individual counter and most of the shop keepers are senior ladies. The scene is very unique to me! I was thrilled to be there!
        
We came to her shop on all three days. Simply her food is good and we want to try'em all. The baked carrot meat balls were so delicious! At this market you can find so many different style of food you won't see in the Western Europe. We're intrigued.

I had a cheese dough. There were also strawberry, peanuts, potatoes, etc. I was amazed.

I tried their confections, so yummy and sweet!!! I was dripping!!! And they are so cheap too!!!
Tried the meat jello. My tummy wasn't happy about it...  (1 LVL = 1.8 USD)

Riga is famous for its fish dish. Cod and salmons.
Of the pastries, the white chocolate dough with a smiley face is my lucky charms. ;-) Hehe.
      The Black Magic Bar, famous for its Riga Black Balsam, a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur made with pure vodka and 25 different natural ingredients. It is 45% abv and tastes very bitter. Had it as my Riga souvenir.
      Alus Seta,
 a restaurant for authentic Latvian cuisine. It is a buffet by weight. Quite a bargain!
  		       
     
Front of the Alus Seta, at the center of the old town.
The traditional Latvian ornaments.

Lady in her traditional Latvian attire.
My dish of chicken kebab, baked carrot-cod, dried fish and salad cost only 5 LVL ~ USD10.

The Latvian souvenir set -
 the Black Balsam and Laima Chocolates.
Another Latvian restaurant, right at the square of House of Blackheads.
     
After a day of walking, it was such enjoyable resting at the St. Peter's Cathedral and drowning in the music played by this young boy and classmates. I found serenity.
 
Strike a pose! Vogue! I wouldn't mind starting a conversation with him as I talk to anyone. But on a flash I turned for my friend, he was gone. 
Riga is famous for House of Blackhead, House of Black Cat, Black Balsam; perhaps this woman in black coat and black umbrella walking down a dark alley is amongst signatures of Riga as well. 		 

Oh, a boy posing as a muffin for me! I feel bad not to capture you! Well, behind is the newer side of the Daugava River. More newer development coming up.
Much of the old town is restored and reconstructed, so is this St. Peter's Cathedral. Part of the cathedral is a museum of the ruins.

Where am I ??  I am more lost after this.
Ricky caught me. What was I doing...
        
Bobsled is kind of famous in Riga. See those Olympians are happy at Vancouver 2010!
Laima, in Latvian myth, was the personification of fate and luck. So, I'm destined to find love after this ?? 		         

Lovers, lock your hearts at this City Canal.
This plate on the ground of St. Peter's Cathedral marks the central coordinate of Riga.

 

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