We couldn't decide which of three pictures of a solitary figure strolling along we liked best and settled for all three
We couldn't decide which of three pictures of a solitary figure strolling along we liked best and settled for all three
We couldn't decide which of three pictures of a solitary figure strolling along we liked best and settled for all three
The street sign is fresh — most of the old Russian signs are gone. But that's the only bit of restored sheen.
The street sign is fresh — most of the old Russian signs are gone. But that's the only bit of restored sheen.
The street sign is fresh — most of the old Russian signs are gone. But that's the only bit of restored sheen.
Rīga's center is full of ornate architecture that than thankfully survived WWII. Surviving half a century of Soviet pollution and decay was another challenge.
Rīga's center is full of ornate architecture that than thankfully survived WWII. Surviving half a century of Soviet pollution and decay was another challenge.
Rīga's center is full of ornate architecture that than thankfully survived WWII. Surviving half a century of Soviet pollution and decay was another challenge.
I start my picture-taking for the day. In the days of film (!) it was worth wasting a shot — I can't imagine stopping after every 36 pictures to reload — to be able to organize rolls in order later
I start my picture-taking for the day. In the days of film (!) it was worth wasting a shot — I can't imagine stopping after every 36 pictures to reload — to be able to organize rolls in order later
I start my picture-taking for the day. In the days of film (!) it was worth wasting a shot — I can't imagine stopping after every 36 pictures to reload — to be able to organize rolls in order later
I shed a tear for the city's mazdārziņi (mini-gardens) which had been located diagonally across from our block on the site of the old hippodrome. Now instead of a quiet corner our little street is overrun as workers head to a massive construction site.
I shed a tear for the city's mazdārziņi (mini-gardens) which had been located diagonally across from our block on the site of the old hippodrome. Now instead of a quiet corner our little street is overrun as workers head to a massive construction site.
I shed a tear for the city's mazdārziņi (mini-gardens) which had been located diagonally across from our block on the site of the old hippodrome. Now instead of a quiet corner our little street is overrun as workers head to a massive construction site.
One of the many industrial structures in the neighborhood as I head for the river.
One of the many industrial structures in the neighborhood as I head for the river.
One of the many industrial structures in the neighborhood as I head for the river.
LAIFS flooring center, and "warehouse space for rent."
LAIFS flooring center, and "warehouse space for rent."
LAIFS flooring center, and "warehouse space for rent."
"Paid parking"
"Paid parking"
"Paid parking"
From the brickwork, probably a warehouse building from before WWI.
From the brickwork, probably a warehouse building from before WWI.
From the brickwork, probably a warehouse building from before WWI.
I finally make it to Viestura dārzs, Viesturs' garden. The park has a long history dating back to being established during the Great Northern War. In 1923 it was named for Viestarts, a Zemgalian king at the start of the 13th century.
I finally make it to Viestura dārzs, Viesturs' garden. The park has a long history dating back to being established during the Great Northern War. In 1923 it was named for Viestarts, a Zemgalian king at the start of the 13th century.
I finally make it to Viestura dārzs, Viesturs' garden. The park has a long history dating back to being established during the Great Northern War. In 1923 it was named for Viestarts, a Zemgalian king at the start of the 13th century.
Viesturdarzs in fall
Viesturdarzs in fall
Viesturdarzs in fall
During the Soviet era, the park was renamed "Song Festival" park, honoring the festival's 100th anniversary in 1973, and the reflecting pool and zig-zag wall with bas relief sculptures installed.
During the Soviet era, the park was renamed "Song Festival" park, honoring the festival's 100th anniversary in 1973, and the reflecting pool and zig-zag wall with bas relief sculptures installed.
During the Soviet era, the park was renamed "Song Festival" park, honoring the festival's 100th anniversary in 1973, and the reflecting pool and zig-zag wall with bas relief sculptures installed.
The wall of Latvian composers
The wall of Latvian composers
The wall of Latvian composers
The long autumn shadows make the tree-lined promenade all the more dramatic.
The long autumn shadows make the tree-lined promenade all the more dramatic.
The long autumn shadows make the tree-lined promenade all the more dramatic.
More Viestura dārzs autumn leaves
More Viestura dārzs autumn leaves
More Viestura dārzs autumn leaves
George Washington (!) park adjoining Viestura dārzs
George Washington (!) park adjoining Viestura dārzs
George Washington (!) park adjoining Viestura dārzs
Leaves, leaves, and the gold of autumn everywhere.
Leaves, leaves, and the gold of autumn everywhere.
Leaves, leaves, and the gold of autumn everywhere.
"House for Sale, Cheap, 6419137" also "Tires, repairs, for sale..."
"House for Sale, Cheap, 6419137" also "Tires, repairs, for sale..."
"House for Sale, Cheap, 6419137" also "Tires, repairs, for sale..."
Once away from the park it's all rather sad and dreary.
Once away from the park it's all rather sad and dreary.
Once away from the park it's all rather sad and dreary.
Crossing over the rail lines to the port along the Daugava
Crossing over the rail lines to the port along the Daugava
Crossing over the rail lines to the port along the Daugava
Eksportosta, port along Eksporta iela, across the tracks
Eksportosta, port along Eksporta iela, across the tracks
Eksportosta, port along Eksporta iela, across the tracks
Difficult to resist a photogenic crane on a photogenic barge. Everything looks better in autumn light.
Difficult to resist a photogenic crane on a photogenic barge. Everything looks better in autumn light.
Difficult to resist a photogenic crane on a photogenic barge. Everything looks better in autumn light.
Eksportosta, taking one last photo of the barge, lingering while off to my left Mafia types in black coats, black Mercedes sedans, and high-heeled mink clad women hanging on theirs arm discuss business
Eksportosta, taking one last photo of the barge, lingering while off to my left Mafia types in black coats, black Mercedes sedans, and high-heeled mink clad women hanging on theirs arm discuss business
Eksportosta, taking one last photo of the barge, lingering while off to my left Mafia types in black coats, black Mercedes sedans, and high-heeled mink clad women hanging on theirs arm discuss business
A coal train trundles off into the distance as I cross over back into the Pētersala neighborhood.
A coal train trundles off into the distance as I cross over back into the Pētersala neighborhood.
A coal train trundles off into the distance as I cross over back into the Pētersala neighborhood.
Eksporta iela at the corner of Petersalas iela
Eksporta iela at the corner of Petersalas iela
Eksporta iela at the corner of Petersalas iela
House at the corner of Katrindambis (facing) and Petersalas iela (off to right)
House at the corner of Katrindambis (facing) and Petersalas iela (off to right)
House at the corner of Katrindambis (facing) and Petersalas iela (off to right)
10 Pētersalas iela. A look at Google Maps 20 years later shows it has been restored to its former tidy glory.
10 Pētersalas iela. A look at Google Maps 20 years later shows it has been restored to its former tidy glory.
10 Pētersalas iela. A look at Google Maps 20 years later shows it has been restored to its former tidy glory.
No. 11 Petersalas iela
No. 11 Petersalas iela
No. 11 Petersalas iela
North along Sermulina iela approaching Piena iela
North along Sermulina iela approaching Piena iela
North along Sermulina iela approaching Piena iela
Piena iela 16 has been patched up along the bottom, since.
Piena iela 16 has been patched up along the bottom, since.
Piena iela 16 has been patched up along the bottom, since.
Corner of Piena iela and Sermuliņa iela
Corner of Piena iela and Sermuliņa iela
Corner of Piena iela and Sermuliņa iela
Sad buildings along Piena iela
Sad buildings along Piena iela
Sad buildings along Piena iela
More of sad buildings along Piena iela
More of sad buildings along Piena iela
More of sad buildings along Piena iela
Even more sad buildings along Piena iela. A look at street photos 20 years later confirms they are all gone.
Even more sad buildings along Piena iela. A look at street photos 20 years later confirms they are all gone.
Even more sad buildings along Piena iela. A look at street photos 20 years later confirms they are all gone.
Some of the dilapidated buildings here look like they might have dated to Piena iela's origins (named in 1846)
Some of the dilapidated buildings here look like they might have dated to Piena iela's origins (named in 1846)
Some of the dilapidated buildings here look like they might have dated to Piena iela's origins (named in 1846)
Ultimately, the Soviet "era" was not kind to Rīga…
Ultimately, the Soviet "era" was not kind to Rīga…
Ultimately, the Soviet "era" was not kind to Rīga…
…nor to many of its inhabitants. I catch a quick photo of the destitute as they rummage through dumpsters along Katerinas iela. On that somber note, I head home.
…nor to many of its inhabitants. I catch a quick photo of the destitute as they rummage through dumpsters along Katerinas iela. On that somber note, I head home.
…nor to many of its inhabitants. I catch a quick photo of the destitute as they rummage through dumpsters along Katerinas iela. On that somber note, I head home.
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