August 2011 -- A New Home: Latvia
After four years in Mongolia, I moved to Latvia to work at a school on the outskirts of Riga. The Baltics -- and Latvia in particular -- are beautiful. I love living among trees and flowers and rivers. Riga is a young city, with plenty of culture, both traditional and newly-found. The old city (Vecriga) has cobbled streets and plenty of churches, including many that survived centuries and wars.
Upon arriving, I took a bicycle trip up the coast, from Riga north to Cape Kolka, then south through Ventspils to Liepaja. The latter two cities are both nice: the former has a planetarium, and the latter is known for its beaches and a temple to partying named after Louie Fontaine. I also made a trip to Rundale Palace, a beautifully-restored and -maintained manor of inconceivable opulence.
