The cat and dog on the Riga signs are from the Latvian animated dialogue-free film, Flow, that came out last year.

For about $15 a meal, I’ve been trying different Latvian dishes from a cafeteria-style restaurant, Lido. This one had a traditional gray peas with speck side and a rye bread pudding for dessert. I’ve been enjoying the pear cider on tap that you pour yourself. The first time, I thought it was water, it was so clear. I haven’t loved all the food but the cider isn’t bad and I never leave hungry.

This was just so odd I had to include it. This skincare shop had this haystack hut sitting in the middle of the mall’s walkway. Something was definitely lost in translation but selfie-types don’t seem to mind crawling in it. The pic on the right is of the narrowest street in Riga. I included it to show the awful cobblestone all around Old Town that has not been appreciated by my feet. Selfie-types are challenged as they try to simultaneously touch opposite walls and take a photo.

A random mural and a random armadillo.

The House of the Black Heads and the Cat House.

Pelmeni (dumplings) and biezpiena plācenīši (cottage cheese pancakes) have been some of my favorites.

Ieva Rubeze’s ghost and Girts Burvis’ Salaspils stone head.

These Bremen Musicians are said to be peeping through the Iron Curtain.

St. Peter’s steeple in the background and one of the tourist boats that float about the canal.

Līvu Square and Powder Tower. I did go beyond Old Town but didn’t venture as far I thought I might. It’s been a relaxing visit and I feel recharged and ready for Poland.