French-German TV-channel called Riga a Northern Paris

French-German TV-channel Arte.tv made a very lovely reportage about our city and said a lot of warm words about it.

I still can't put videos in here, so I give you link right to the video. You can watch video here

Expecting Christmas: Christmas markets, mulled wine and cats

It's been more than 10 months since the last time I've wrote here. There a lot of news and changes and now I'm ready to come back and drag you back into life in Riga.

Time has passed very fast and it's almost Christmas time again. Some of you and some of us entered sacred time of Advent (or Christmas fast for the Orthodox). First Advent in Riga was celebrated by illuminating of a main Christmas tree in the Dome square. Living my whole life in this city, it was the first time when I have witnessed this event. It was beautiful: illumination started with Bengal fire and accompanied by a joyful noise of a crowd. There were surprisingly many people, but my friend and I managed to take good position. But what is weird – the decoration of the X-mas tree. Beside lamps and balls, it's decorated with... white wooden ducks! Why so? Have no idea!

But the illuminating of the Tree isn't the only joyful news. What I liked even more are Christmas markets! So far I've visited two: on the Dome square and the one on Livu square. There also is some Pop-up Christmas store on Kalku street (also in the Old Town). It supposed to have some great stuff from local designers and etc, but I haven't checked it out yet.

So, back to markets. On the market at Livu square you can buy very good waffles with boiled condensed milk (don't make such big eyes, it tastes very good!) and Piparkukas, that is analogue to a ginger cookies, but instead of ginger we add black pepper and for my taste it's much much better.

On the Dome square at First Advent night beside the market, X-mas tree and loads of people there were also official Riga's cats who are living in the Riga council and are personal cats of the current major of Riga. They have really great story: our major adopted them from asylum and moved them to the council. I suppose they bring luck to the city, how'd you think?

Also it's hard to imagine Christmas without mulled wine. Not being big fan of wine, I still decided to try some. We've chosen mulled wine make of local home-made wine: my friend took traditional red grapes' mulled wine and I took apple wine's. Truly said, it's nothing you should try. It tasted... bad. Like hot home-made apple juice that gone bad. And it didn't warm me at all. I've heard that the best mulled wine is in the wine stand closer to the Dome church. But again, it's just a rumor, I haven't checked it yet.

Outside it's about -3 – 0 C, a little snow and very damp. But anyway it's beautiful in here.

(c) LETA

Fancy restaurants and delicious food

Now it's kind of tradition to start my post with "it's been a long time", but still it's really been a long time. As some of you don't know, I've got my bachelor degree and pretty happy about it. First step was made. Today I want to tell you about great place my fellow and I were celebrating my graduation.
As it's very rare when we manage to meet due to distance, I wanted to choose really nice place with good food. Hearing a lot of good words about restaurant called "Biblioteka Nr.1" I decided we should attend it and I wasn't mistaken. Service was great and food delicious. Champagne was very fancy but still not too tasty for me. Food and compliments from chef was fantastic. Interior is tasteful: traditional but still very modern. I took some fancy-cooked chicken which was mmm, great! and had some tasty snacks. If it wasn't so late in the evening, I'd probably taste also some sweets. Good thing is that tables are pretty far from each other so you have some privacy and are not disturbed by neighbors chat.
I'd rate it 8/10 and would like to go there again.
P.S. As experience showed it's better to make a reservation, especially if you go there in the evening.
Have a good week and tasty food!

Bright colors in a grey winter

I miss you guys so much, but time is crazy: where is it running so fast?! Catholic Christmas and New Year was celebrated in a wonderful way: with a family. It was a second time when on Christmas Eve I was surrounded by the big husband's family. Hope so much that once also my relatives would unite and could spend good time together.
Still, most of the time I spend in my office work, in Vecmilgravis, in Riga Port. So finishing work at 6 p.m. I don't have much time and energy to go downtown to discover some cool places. Still I discovered one great thing in an old place. In a shopping center's Alfa 2nd floor is an Art store. It's been there for a really long time, but just yesterday I discovered that they also offer printing on canvas, and you can not only bring your image, but to choose one from the several galleries catalogues. There are reproductions of an art masterpieces: both classical and modern, photos... We spent about an hour or so choosing the image for our bedroom. Also great thing is that they can print also really big-sized images, just exactly what we needed. So now I just have to wait till image will be ready to be put on the wall. Promise to make a photo of it and share it with you.
As the winter is pretty grey this year, I try to surround myself with some brightness and positive emotions. Blog isn't an exception, so now the blog has a new view and a new userpic. I like it, and do you?

Event of a weekend: Jarmarka

Yesterday I attended Jarmarka: exhibition-sale of young artists and designers. I wanted to visit it since last year but don't remember why last year I missed it. Forgot, probably.
Jarmarka takes place in Latvian Academy of Arts (Latvijas Mākslas Akadēmija). Living my whole life in Riga it was the first time when I actually visited Academy. Truly said, I expected more. It's beautiful and everything, but I was waiting to enter "different world", but in fact it's just ordinary "high-school-building" with fancier windows. So, on a 2rd floor if I'm not mistaken in some pretty big room is Jarmarka. Loads of art-work, some of them wan't even dry yet. I'm not big fan of modern arts, but still I found some pieces that I even could bring home. For my surprise there were quite an amount of people, so I wasn't able to take photos of pieces I liked to share them with you.
If you are interested in arts, especially in modern arts and what to spend some time looking at young-artists-masterpieces, Jarmarka is one good place to attend. And it's nice way to hide from a Latvian Winters phenomena. :))

Christmas store

See my friends, as I started working I don't know what to write about in here. I'm still running across the city, but mostly in "must_visit" kinda places. Now before Christmas it's a crazy time: on Saturday we couldn't even find a parking place near the shopping center Spice. Anyway, there's always a way to discover something new and interesting.

I love Sunday mornings. Early mornings. When it's dark, there are no people on the street, almost no cars... peace and quite. I had some business to do in a shopping center Mols and eventually I discovered new store there: Christmas store (Ziemassvētku veikals). When I enter a new shop I feel like Columbus. So, what's interesting in this store? There you can find different latvian craft, Latvian style clothes, bath&shower stuff, body care stuff, yearbooks, accessories and etc, and etc. Nice surprise to me was that prices there are a lot lower then in other stores for the same goods. So if you are planing to visit the Mols before X-mas looking for presents, go directly to this store. Really good one.

Meanwhile in Klaipeda: Sea museum

About a month ago I was in Klaipeda (Lithania) on a weekend (I know, I'm very quick on reporting!). I love Klaipeda, it's very peaceful and quite. What I like most about this city is Klaipeda sea museum. There are plenty of sea mammals, birds (penguins), fishes (sea, lake and river). Since my last visit (a year ago) they changed exposition a bit. Brightest novelty for me was jellyfish. I was stuck near their aquarium and couldn't leave until I made some photos of them.
As I was a little girl I was frightened of them. My parents liked sunbathing so when weather was suitable we went to the beach. Once... I still remember that day... despite there were no wind, waves were huge for our sea. I went closer to the water and for the first time I saw a jellyfish. It was such a great shock for me when my mom told it was a living organism. I've spent plenty of time on researching on jellyfish but still jellyfishes are quite a mystery for me...
Anyway, if you decide to visit Klaipeda, find a time to visit the museum. It is worth of it. :)

Les Ambassadeurs - moments of pure beauty

By pure accident on Friday morning I've received information about Bach musical festival in Riga. Within the festival in Riga came brilliant European orchestra Les Ambassadeurs. It was like an answer to my praying about attending some interesting, valuable cultural event.
Concert took place in one of the most romantic places in Riga: Small Guild. Atmosphere was perfect: not much people but still all the sits were taken. Men in classic suits and women in elegant dresses, everyone speaking quietly (even children sitting besides me were quite). Everyone was waiting for a miracle. Alexis Kossenko, - the conductor and the founder of the orchestra, - lead us to the world of a magic and pure beauty. As music started to sound, I felt like I'm a witnessed the opening of a door to a parallel universe. The only word to describe it: pure. Pure world of pure beauty, pure love, pure innocence. Harmonic sounds of violin, oboe, cellos and etc, joined by flute played by Alexis himself. Then angel started to sing. Sabine Devieilhe - soprano guest soloist - is blessed by the voice that plays on the deepest strings. Concert was almost two hours long by personally I haven't even noticed: music took me to the place where time stopped and it was only a present moment that mattered.
If you love classical music and you know that "Les Ambassadeurs" coming to your town, don't miss their concert. It is worth of it.

Place of a day: Restaurant "Disappointment"

Before my appointment with hairdresser decided to go and have some meals. As I was in a big shopping center Mols I decided that best place to eat there is Cilli Pica (Čilli Pica), kinda restaurant-picceria. It never was brilliant, but today I was really shocked. I offered ravioli with mushrooms. Usually I get pretty big portion so I my stomach is pretty full after eating it. But this time... I received 3 times smaller portion: there were just few raviolis in there in size a little bigger then 1 lat coin. Shocked I asked waitress and she said that it's what portion are like now. However they never became cheaper. I was really disappointed and still hungry but with no time to go anywhere else, because of spent 30 min on waiting...
So, dear friends, when you are in Riga think twice if you still want to visit Cilli Pica. Maybe really it's better to choose some other place?

In general life had changed a lot. But it'd be next time when I tell you about changes in my life. Now let me just tell, that we have London-like Autumn: pretty warm, windy, foggy and a bit rainy from time to time. I like it pretty much. No snow so far! :))

Shopoholic's day

Haven't written for a while: kinda crazy time I am having, but I like it! Last Friday was very girlish day: after another work interview I went shopping. So, now I have another pajama/home suit from British brand La Senza (from what I can get it Latvia, they have best underwear and home clothes). Then with great discount I've bought truffles from Emil Gustav Chocolate. Personally I don't eat chocolate: I'm allergic for it, but as far as I can remember, Emil Gustav Chocolate made really great cookies, but I preferred Lindt chocolate rather then this one. But you know, with great discount why not to make sweet-suprprise for the dear person?
So, then I went to the center to buy cosmetics. As some of you know I am also working as make-up artist (check out my photo- and make-up works here http://dramarteu.blogspot.com/) and I was happy to know to find out that in shopping center Stockmann (that big monstrous building in a very center of the city) are discounts for cosmetics of Make Up For Ever. Despite it was only 2nd sales day, they already are running short of products, but sweet consultant promised they'll have more products soon. Also she was so kind to give me great gifts: make-up bag and 2 blushes! That's really cool, if you ask me.
Also I'd watched another romantic movie. Really nice one, if you like romantic movies as I do. Check out a trailer :) And have a great time!

Watching movies: cultivated stupidity

To have a rest from non-stop action, went to a movie. Watched Johnny English Reborn. As a previous movie it cultivates stupidity and power of chance. Good movie to give your brain a rest, but it is definitely not a movie you want to watch if you are looking for something deep with idea or smth.

Place of the day: Small café in the Old town

Yesterday I met Nastya - a good friend of mine (she's really cute, interview with her is coming soon) and for our meeting we've chosen nice and lovely café in the old town. It was the first time I was there and impression was really good, I should say. The best word to describe the place is homely. Café is located in the very heart of the old town, however the street is very quite (at least on Tuesday morning). We've chosen big round table near the window with big and comfortable chairs. Waitress was very polite and we received our order very quickly. We've chosen apple pies and green tea. Apple pie was served with ice cream, caramel sauce and fruits, as seen on the picture. That was one good apple pie! Simple and tasty. Tea was rather good either.
So I want to say that this cafe is a great place to go with your friends, to have morning coffee or evening glass of wine (or some tea, maybe?) with some tasty pie.

Place of the day: home of tasty cakes

Last week I was in the center on business. After finishing it I went to my favorite office supplies store to buy a planer for the next year (I prefer to buy it earlier rather then to run on january the 2nd in panic that I can't find the one I need) and saw a café I haven't noticed before. As I was extremely hungry, I decided to check it out. You know, going to a new place is like going on a first date: you can find the love of your life, or just have ADD: another dating disaster. This time I was lucky and my courage was rewarded: I discovered really lovely place with very tasty food (baked goods, being precise). Entering Kukotava (Kūkotava in Latvian) I found myself tempted with smell of just-baked cakes. It was pretty hot in there, smell was outstanding and the moment I looked on a show-case I felt like I wanted it all! But being wise and knowing myself not being able to stop until I eat all cakes in the house, I have chosen to take just few: pie with chicken and cheese, pie with spinach, apple pie and brownie, and cup-cakes with nuts. However, it was possible to take photo just of an apple pie, brownie and cup-cakes: other cakes were eaten in five min in a car while driving home :)
So, if you are in Riga and have time to take a break, to have some coffee with delicious cakes (they also have salads, but I haven't eaten those, not a big fan of salads), or you want take-out to enjoy cakes with friends, family or just by yourself :) you know, great place is Kukotava on Terbatas street.
If you like baked goods as much as I do – this is the right place for you to visit!
By the way, waitress was very cute! Hope to take a picture of her next time :)

One more word about a...

One more note before first "real" post here. Meanwhile in Riga is non-commercial project, I get no profits from people/coffees/restaurants/etc I tell about. Just so you know, it's my experience, my impressions: both positive and negative.
As the project is new, I'd be really glad to hear your suggestions and advices. If you know some really cool place in Riga, or a person who lives here on in other Latvian city. So, looking forward to your cooperation and hope you'd enjoy the project as much as I do :) And yes, all the photos I put in here are made by me, if not - I put link to a source.
First trip-scatch is coming really soon!

Weather in Riga was great: non-windy, quite and warm, really untypical for the season, but extremely pleasant. Reminds me of early Summer days.

Greeting from...

The first post as usually the hardest one to compose.
The idea of this blog was maturing for a really long time before it became a full-fledged concept.
At the beginning I should introduce myself. My name is Victoria, or Vicky for my foreign friends :) I live in Riga, a capital of Latvia. This is small, quite and beautiful city. But I often hear that there are not a lot of interesting places to go and nothing to do in Riga. I disagree. That's why I decided to create this blog to introduce you to Riga from my point of view.
My usual day consists of meeting new people, attending new places. Every time I go to the city center, I discover new places: new coffees, restaurants, galleries and little stores. And I'm very fortunate to live near city center and being able to walk there on foot!
Here lives really a lot of talented and gifted people and I'm proud to know few of them and in time I'll introduce them also to you.
So, if you are ready, join me in my day-by-day Riga (and not only!) trip.