Dzīve ir Skaista

After returning to Riga from Stockholm, I had a couple of much needed days to get some homework done.  I am taking two online summer classes this summer and I was so behind on them because of my travels.  So, I spent two entire days working on my homework and now I am mostly caught up and can breathe a little for awhile.

Brigita's birthday bash

Saturday was Brigita's big birthday party.  She invited family and friends from near and far, and many of them didn't even know each other.  There was a ton of people there and everyone was either speaking Latvian or Russian, so I didn't understand much while I was there.  Every once in awhile I would be talking to someone and hear, "Emily!"  I would turn around and see Brigita beckoning me so that I could meet some more people that I was related to.  I met a lot of people, most of whom I have no idea what their names are.  It was good, though.  It was really interesting to meet all these new people and find out that I am related to them and how I am related to them.  Brigita also loved my present and she was so excited about the gummy worms that Mirdza gave me to bring to her.

The perfect Black Balzams tasting location

On Sunday, Ruta took me to the mall to go shopping.  That was fun because the mall we went to was really huge and had a lot of interesting stores.  Afterwards, I met Egija in old town.  I did some shopping and got some gifts for people and then we went to a cafe and sat outside and had some drinks.  I really love just sitting outside with friends here.  I feel so at peace and so blissful.  It's just perfect.  While we were chatting and sipping, I mentioned that I have never tried Black Balzams before.  Black Balzams is a traditional Latvian liquor that is typically used either for recreational drinking or for medicinal purposes.  It is supposedly really helpful for if one has a cold or digestive problems.  Obviously, since this is such a traditional thing, I had to try it.  So, we headed over to Rimi, got a small bottle of Black Balzams and also a small bottle of Black Currant Balzams (flavored) and then walked to the river where we found a perfect place to sit and chat and drink Black Balzams.  I tried one sip and it was so horribly strong, so I couldn't have any more.  I could see it being mixed with something or on ice cream, but by itself it is not good.  Not good at all.  Then I tried the Black Currant Balzams.  After trying the traditional, I didn't have high hopes for this one but it was actually not bad.  So, now I can say that I have had Balzams.

Monday was a good day.  In the afternoon, Ruta, Emily, Liene and I, and also a couple people who I think are from Belarus, all went to Jūrmala.  It is always so nice sitting by the sea with the wind in my hair.  We were there for probably an hour and a half, just sitting and enjoying the sea.  It was Emily's first time seeing the sea, so that was pretty exciting.  She was so intrigued by the sand.  After the beach, we went back to Riga and I went straight to old town because it was Egija's namesday!  We had a pretty chill night, but it was so great being with good friends.  The first bar we went to was a small one, and when I got there I was a little hungry so I wanted to eat something.  The bartender was talking to me and asking what I wanted and I wasn't really sure yet, so he said, "I know what you want.  I will go and make it." and then walked off!  I was so surprised and a little bit nervous about what he would bring back for me, but after 10 minutes he came back with a panini-type thing and it was really good!  Apparently he really did know what i wanted.  The rest of the night was so nice, just hanging out with friends and talking.  I am living such a good life right now.  :]

Good friends, good beer, good life

Ghost town

Today was so good too.  Ruta, Liene, Emily, and I went to the Botanical garden for a little bit, which was so nice.  It is so beautiful and magical there.  We walked around for awhile and then I took the tram to meet Egija in the city center where she works.  She and I went to a cafe and had some amazing coffee and I had a really yummy panini.  Once again, I had tried to communicate with the waiter and he didn't really understand me so what I ended up getting was a surprise.  But, once again, it was so good.  After eating, we took the bus to the neighborhood that Egija lives in.  It was so interesting seeing such a different side of Riga.  This neighborhood at one time was where the richest people lived.  Now, it is where some of the poorest people live.  It also at one time was where Jews were forced to live and stay during the Nazi era.  Now, the town looks like a ghost town.  There are so many old buildings and many of them are completely abandoned.  The town is creepy but it was actually really awesome.  I love taking photos of old things so it was a really perfect place to do a photoshoot, and that is what we did.  It was such a good time, just walking around.  Later, we headed back to old Riga and walked around a bit and did some shopping.  Overall, it was a really great night.