LATVIA! - being a tourist yo.

I hadn't visited my family or friends in Latvia for about 5-7 years (the exact year can be debated, but with the photographic evidence we found, it is only 5). Therefore, I would hope that no one would judge me when I say I definitely had some tears rolling from my eyes once we landed in Riga. It might have had to do with the sleep deprivation from the night before or just my happy emotions (I just have a lot of feelings ok...)

Just being in the country with which I have dual citizenship and spent so much of my childhood in was absolutely breathtaking. At this point I haven't even gone out of the gates to see my dad (who I haven't seen since January) and our two family friends, Loreta and Valdis who were all waiting for us. Also, when I was flying over Latvia, I was looking down and I saw something white on the ground that I didn't seem to recognize. What is this white substance you ask? Snow. I haven't seen snow in ages. There wasn't any snow in DC or NY when I left and there's bit a tad bit too much rain and "plus" weather in terms of Celsius for there to be snow in Ireland. Not surprisingly, I forgot that this stuff even existed. I was not at all prepared considering I was rolling up in my thin corduroy pants (that eventually ripped, RIP) and my little wedges that I had worn the previous night whilst clubbing. 

no, it wasn't actually this snowy, but probably just as cold.

First stop we made: the supermarket. Thank god that we did because when we got home all we had was Latvian beer and hot dog links. Basically, my dad's perfect meal and what he says he'll eat all the time upon moving to Latvia. 

First day adventures included going to the airport (again) to pick up my mom and eventually calming her down when she saw how dusty and dirty the apartment was. To reward ourselves after cleaning, we went out to eat and I still had pizza on Friday - go pizza Friday even in different countries!! 

The following day I had the opportunity to meet up with my good childhood friend, Rudolph. Not the reindeer, an actual person. He showed me around old Riga as a little refresher course to all the places I've been to and even introduced me to some of the bars he frequents. We went to one bar where you pay a 3 euro fee to get a sugary shot, spin a wheel and depending on where the little ball lands, that's the type of drink you get. The jackpot was getting a whole bottle of champagne. Guess who got it? This girl. I'd like to say it was beginner's luck. 

It wasn't Moet and Chandon but it was good enough to make me feel a little guilty about drinking at 2 pm. This feeling definitely didn't stop the Swedish tourists sitting a few tables down from us who had plentiful amounts of alcohol. While I got the bottle of champagne, Rudolf got the lovely shot that looks like brains pictured on the right. It looks gross but I'm pretty sure that it is actually absolutely delicious and sweet, consisting of Bailey's, peach schnopps and grenadine. Post shot, it took us some time to finish the bottle but after some catching up and reminiscing, we finished it. What champs. And to make matters better (or worse depending on which way you look at it) we continued on to another bar to watch a local Riga and Russia hockey game. Despite my rooting for Riga, of course, we lost. Sad times. 

The adventure didn't end there. After going home to take little power naps, Rudolf took me to a Skybar on top of the Radisson hotel. This bar overlooked old Riga with a view of the Freedom Statue. The view outside was absolutely amazing and the drunk people watching? even better. 

absolutely beautiful. 

My remaining time in Latvia I spent hanging out with my parents and various family members, which I was absolutely grateful for. I got to babysit my little second cousin who is four years old quite a bit - I'm thinking she took quite a liking to me since she hugged me enthusiastically every time she saw me. Her name is Laine and she told me she loved me before she even remembered my name. Accurate. She also thought she was MY cousin when in fact her mom, Liene, is my cousin. How cute. 

yep, my spring break in a nut shell: this girl.

My favorite day by far was my second to last day that I spent in the country. I saw my grandmother for the first time in what seemed liked ages. In fact, she cried when she saw me and started talking about how the last time she saw me I was at least a foot shorter than I am now. As she was speaking, I myself got some tears in my eyes. She was so incredibly happy to see me - in a way, it made me think. In her mind, I believe that she thought this was the last time she would see me due to her age (88) and my infrequent visits. Seeing her seeing me, remembering her own children at my age, remembering her whole life that she lived, made me realize just how short life actually is. It made me think that I need to seize the moment and not put things off until later. You never know when the next time is that you'll get the opportunity to do something as awesome. For me, it is currently traveling around Europe, but outside of study abroad, once I get back to the states I will be more opening to seizing the moment and not watch it pass me by although I will be home. 

On a lighter note, I also had amazing times catching up with family. They were all interested in what I am currently studying, my life and where I will be going this semester as part of my travels. We spent many days just sitting in my living room (I am blessed to have an apartment in Latvia that is actually my second home) talking and eating non-stop. Much coffee was drank and many biscuits and sandwiches were eaten. I absolutely love food from Latvia. If I could have, I would have brought only food back to Ireland and forgotten all about the clothes. Too bad there's that thing called security. 

Me, my mom, cousin and Godmother. One of my favorite pictures.

I love my quirky family. 

My final night consisted of going to a viola recital at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Music Academy. I saw many of the current students at the musical high school and conservatory perform - I got many ideas as to which pieces I would like to pursue and play for my senior recital! Additionally, it was a great experience to see the level of performance from many players my own age considering I am toying around with the idea of coming to Europe for my masters degree. Not only did I see the recital, but I also saw a portrait of the woman after whom I was named - Annija Vītole. She was the wife of the man the academy is named after as well as my dad's first private instructor in Long Beach, NY. In the portrait below, she is right above me with long, blonde hair and a plant in her hand. My dad says she didn't really look like this but I'd like to think that I look at least a bit similar to her. 

I finished off the night at our family friend's house for dinner until almost half 12 at night! My parents were so happy to be relaxing and not worrying about anything that time just kept running ahead of ourselves. Eventually we got back home, I slept and the next day I spent packing my bag to go back to Dublin for St. Patrick's Day!!!