I grew up learning about Latvia as a child from the many stories told to me by my parents and grandparents. Although Latvian was my first language, and being me was all about being Latvian, Latvia in my young mind was still some "far off land." Still, it was the land of my heritage, and I thought I knew what to expect when I finally arrived.

Nothing could have been farther from the truth. My first trip, at 16, was in 1977 during Soviet times. I was amazed at the big differences: What do you mean, I can't take pictures of bridges and airports? And surprised at the little ones: Drink something called Kvass that looks and smells like sewer water? I don't think so!

Strictly bring your own jug to the corner in Riga

But the biggest personal impact from my first trip was all about family. So, while I hope to provide at least a minor contribution to our picture gallery—Peters is the photographer in the family—I'll begin with my first impressions and the awe of meeting so many relatives».

• July 1977, Silvija's first trip! A pivotal experience whose significance has only deepened with time.
• Silvija's Story, Latvian strength and love of family in the face of Soviet oppression and hopelessness.

• March 2001, Peters' aunt Erna's 100th birthday jubilee.
• June 1998, Song and Dance Festival, AOL "Lat Chat" live, Riga, Stende.
• June 1999, Our honeymoon in Latvia (where else!)

My experiences growing up Latvian were very much about being Latvian. Whenever I'd take a standardized test and get to the racial and ethnic origin boxes, I would pick "OTHER" and neatly pencil in "LATVIAN." In Sunday school, I learned Latvian geography, history, literature and poetry. But it was the magical stories—like the time my grandfather was repairing the windmill’s sails and fell off!—that brought me closest to Latvia. It was a proud and wondrous land which might someday be free again. But that was not a day my mother or I would ever see or take part in. (My father had passed away when I was only seven.)

Peters' grandfather's windmill in Lizums

Suddenly, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, that all changed. My mother spent a year packing for our trip—my first time ever, and my mother's first chance to see her family in half a century.

Sadly, most of her generation passed on, never to see Latvia free again.

The rose colored glasses came off, but my voyage into my family's heritage» and the effect of simply being there have proven even more magical than those tales from my youth.

• October 1996, Autumn colors in Rīga and Kuldīga.
• August 1997, Cemetery service for the victims of Soviet deportation; Mordanga, and Rīga.
• October 1994, Highlights of Peters' roots-seeking trip.
• July 1995, A whirlwind tour: Aglona, Bauska, Brīvdabas (Ethnographic) Museum, Jaunmoku Castle, Jelgava, Liepāja, Rīga, and Rundāle's Palace.
• August 1993, Riga and Usma.
• December 1997-New Year's, Latvia twice in one year!
• Peters' Story, Collapse of the Soviet Union brings an unhoped-for opportunity.
• October 1992, Peters' first trip! From his grandfather's water mill to goat-walking in Riga.
• December 2002, Wandering (lots of pictures) far and wide in winter Rīga.

• The Riga Zoo, Exploring Riga's 40 acre (16 hectare) zoo. An easy ride on the No. 11 tram from the center of town.
• Alberta Iela, One of the finest surviving examples of the German Art Nouveau movement of a century ago.
• Pilgrimage to the Past, Peters seeks his family's roots in Kurzeme and Vidzeme—where his mother returns to the scene of her own childhood after more than half a century.
• The Organ of Liepaja's Church of the Holy Trinity, The most intact surviving handiwork of J.S. Bach's favorite master organ builder.