Metal pieces

Do you have a clue what this piece of art represents?

P.S. This is the beginning of Valdemara street.

Crossfire

...and the yard in front of National Opera.

Exquisite art

White house in Riga - the National Opera. Exquisite art inside.

Bold and the Beauty

These two buildings are on Zakusala island in the middle of Daugava - TV office and antenna, Salu bridge runs between them.

Strongmen

A bit of Riga festival few days ago. Strongmen of Baltics and Scandinavia compete in pulling beer kegs on sledge near Riga castle.
P.S. You can see Gipsa fabrika (Gypsum factory) with a high chimney in the background.

Fountain

Few days ago annual Riga festival took place. It was full of events - city with 811 year experience has lots to show. Riga mayor Nils Ushakovs (from the left) had a chance to ride in a Fountain power boat piloted by owner of DUCATI Riga. To glide like this, two high output Mercury engines consume approx. 200 litres gasoline per hour.

The gathering

Yesterday after the finish of BalticWay relay, all the participients, patriots and spectators visited our Freedom monument, where the president Valdis Zatlers made speech, thanking also our brother countries in their language.

Children in national dress

A bit more than a week before school starts. Economic crisis has brought closure of tens of schools and was going to cut money for creative lessons and schools - that means the monetary system is having impact on the cultural identity related to singing and dancing. It seems to me that it is going extinct.

BalticWay 20 years

20 years ago, we - the people of Baltics gathered to stand hand in hand for the Baltic way. It was a symbol of our unity and spirit. Today we memorize it with running through all our countries - "Heartbeats for Baltics". Here you can check out amazing facts about us.

Green wall

Vines are very invasive and aggressive, but in the urban environment I welcome them a lot - pushes the artificial bee hive (city) a bit closer back to natural order.

Lido

Having a meal in LIDO chain restaurant near Vermanes park is a chice if you want to know if there is such thing as Latvian national food. This is as close as you will get to it by not going out into old farmer's house.

Part of community

Grab your rollerblades, skate or BMX and join the part of community that chooses to spend free time in an active manner on Pernavas str. by Grizinkalns park.

Bastejkalns

Basteja hill is at the heart of Riga - on the border of Old Riga and it is part of a green ring separating Old Riga from historical Riga. There are theories about what is hidden in the hill underground, but those are just speculations.

Čaka un Matīsa street

Notice the orange number "2" on the forth floor in the window. I keep wondering what for did they put it there?

Slāvu pārvads

Slavic flyover under construction - a part of many kilometers long Southern Crossing in, as you have guest, Southern Riga.

Two alien tails.

Elizabetes street Art Nouveau

Architectural style is also called Jugendstil (from German). Elizabetes street is overloaded with theses buildings.

Corner Room

Notice the three round features on the corner - two windows and an extension which must work as effective cooler of interior during winter.

Da Vinci

The most construction projects has been put on ice. Da Vinci high rise in Ķīpsala is one of the rear one's that is continuing (after being completely flooded few years ago) at a slow pace.

Yellow shoes

and brollies, brollies, brollies

Yellow and white

Yammy. A young bumblebee in suburbs.

Shoes - in different colours

Not much to say really apart form that this is one of the contributors to RDP.

Children pushing bikes

Imanta is mostly commie block district. Like in many places now, there are some unfinished buildings there as well. When I was a child I used to play with them - we called them stroykas (from Russian word "to construct").

Sick

If you think it is pretty - lovely,
If beautiful - superb,
If ugly - respect!

Ja tev šķiet smuki - tad jauki,
Ja skaisti - super,
Ja neglīti - respect!

Taken at the back of Opera House

Riga passenger port

The terminal is near Andrejsala just before the first structure over Daugava river that cuts the city in to halves - Vanšu Bridge.

Motor bikes

Apparently you can be fined it not wearing green jackets when driving in group on motorbikes.

P.S. Looking towards the Sigulda highway exit.

Pushing through

In historical centre and Old Riga it is the fastest and cheapest way to get around.

CONCERTO, RESTORANS, Valdemara 77

This real estate has changed its image already some 3-4 times since I remember it - convenience store, restaurant, slot machines (gambling). I hope they will have more luck this time.

Balcony

Agenskalns is charming but a bit forgotten neighbourhood in Riga. It is getting some investment, but not too much - particularly now at the bottom of financial crisis. That is why I like to see people looking after their properties even in though times.

Fountain on Terbatas street,

I think this is a part of extension of La Rocca complex. Aparently there is a fitness centre, bowling, pool and all sorts of entertainment in there.

Double Coffee

It is a name of a coffee shop chain - I guess the most recognised by locals. This one is on the corner of Brīvības and Stabu street.

The guest photographer - Inese Zindule.