A Taste of Local Life

Today we embarked on a tasting tour in Riga, Latvia taking in the city's history while sampling foods and beverages unique to the region.

Riga's Gothic style Old Town and Riga Central Market are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The market, one of the largest in Europe, was built in 1930, and its five market halls were previously used as zeppelin hangars.

We enjoyed local specialties, including egg with caviar, cheeses with caraway, fish on rye, roasted beans, grains cooked on alder wood logs, a sweetened yogurt with berries and a candy that tasted a lot like sweetened condensed milk.

Next we headed to the Riga Black Balsam bar to taste the famous Latvian herbal liqueur. To us it tasted a bit like the "Trakehner Blut" we had almost forty years ago when we were buying horses in Germany.

We meandered through Riga's medieval streets, marveling at the city's diverse architecture. From elegant Art Nouveau buildings to the former merchant's guild, each structure stood as a testament to Riga's rich history. As we walked, our eyes were drawn to the variety of statues and a variety of buildings with intricate designs and rooftops. Colorful flowers added splashes of beauty to the urban landscape.

Our fabulous guide brought Latvia's complex past to life, with his insightful narrative that both educated and entertained us. We learned of the country's journey through time—from the Crusades to the rules of the Teutonic Knights, Swedes, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and Russians. He highlighted Latvia's struggles for freedom, including "The Baltic Way." On August 23, 1989, a momentous event unfolded that would forever leave its mark on history. Two million people joined hands, creating an unbroken human chain that spanned over 600 kilometers, linking the capital cities of Vilnius in Lithuania, Tallinn in Estonia, and Riga in Latvia. This awe-inspiring display of unity and determination became famously known as “The Baltic Way.” It was a peaceful protest against the illegal Soviet occupation and also one of the earliest and longest unbroken human chains in history. It was more than just a physical connection; it was a profound political demonstration for freedom. Markers visible on the ground were reminders of the event and helped us understand why independence is so deeply cherished by its people today.