latviski
December 29th
While overcast like most days, the weather was pleasant if cold, and I walked to and from rehearsal, as well as returning to the city center to take in the Christmas lights ans soak up some Christmas spirit.
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Had it been summer, the pathways would throng with people. But as I cut through the park today, the groundskeeper is the only soul to be seen.
The park bench overlooking the canal sits empty as the dancing figures— my favorite Rīga public sculpture, park fountains notwithstanding— look forward to spring.
Like heading to the beach in winter, there's a quiet serenity that pervades the park in winter.
A changing of the guard is imminent at the Freedom Monument as I pass by. I also take some pictures for my Brīvības Piemineklis photo project for Wikipedia.
The orchestra prepares for our one and only final dress rehearsal.
Rehearsal done, I take the rest of my Freedom Monument pictures and then go exploring the "new" section of town. When I first came to Latvia, this was "pilsētas ganības"—a small plot of land for ever city-dweller to plant and tend their flower and vegetable patches. And our (eventual) apartment was on a quiet side street. Now, even streets too narrow for cars to pass each other are major thoroughfares as everyone heads to and from the new stadium.
Heading back in the other direction, the park across the way, bounded by Palīdzības and Astrida Briāna ielas, has had a facelift with new swings and pavers. But, for now, in the dead of winter, there's only a stray dog to enjoy the improvements.
I'm waiting at my tram stop, heading back into the center of town to wander about to take in the Christmas lights and crisp evening air.
It's already pretty much dark by the time I make it to the park, across the street from the University of Latvia. That's the National Opera lit up at left.
An art installation surrounds the fountain, which is the highlight of the garden in front of the National Opera
"Snowmen" in the park as I turn around to head back home
I'm not the only one making my way home along quiet and dark streets
Even the darkness can't hide that once you get outside the center, Rīga still has a long way to go until it recovers from half a century of Soviet neglect and dilapidation.
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