We enjoyed our second day in Riga. We didn't have to go very far away from the hotel to see the old part of the city. So, here we've not even bothered with transit tickets although we can see a few handy tram lines sporting both old and new cars.
We started off the day in the area we lovingly call the dungeon. That is where we enjoy our breakfasts at this hotel.
BREAKFAST
We've had breakfast buffets in all of the hotels during this trip. This one in the Monte Kristo is probably the most unusual. We are staying in a building right on one corner of Old Town Riqa. The building itself most probably dates back to the eighteen century. It's only been a hotel for the last twenty years or so. The basement may be much older.
Of course the fun part of exploring a new city is learning some of the things that are considered a must for tourists. There are stories to learn. For example, why might this building have two arched cats on its roof? Or what do the three stars she's holding in the Freedom Monument stand for? If you go to Riqa, I'm sure you'll find the answers to these and many other things!
THE RIGA PUBLIC MARKET
Just across the tracks is the public market here. There are four, huge, fomer aircraft hangers the that become the market area. Other vendors are scattered around. As this was spring there were literally tons of strawberries and cherries for sale. And due to the northern European observance of Midsummer, flower and grass wreathes could be purchased.
STAYING CLOSE TO OLD TOWN
