This splendid morning could only be improved if the local merchants would open their shops earlier. As late as 9am it seemed we could not get coffee on the streets of this fine city. But our original plan was not coffee anyway. Our objective was to traverse Vanšu tilts and stroll the other side of Daugava, perhaps adding a new perspective, a new viewpoint to Gaismas pils... the soon to be completed National Library of Latvia. And that was exactly what we did.
By 10 o'clock we were back in Vecrīga and stopped in at the Franču maiznīca near Pulvertornis. One delicious chunk of quiche (enough for two) and a delicious dark roast coffee cost a mere 1.40Ls. Best restaurant deal I have encountered in Riga to date.
Just outside the Cadets de Gascogne (Franču maiznīca) Uljana Semjonova is featured on a breast cancer prevention/cure Public Service Anouncement. I recalled my brush with greatness... her Highness of Basketball, back in the cold dark December winter of 1991. It was on the No. 6 trolley, where I stood next to a wondrously tall human being. Only later was I informed that that had been Uljana, the Soviet era basketball champion, in all her glory. But a semi-sweet, almost tragic glory it was, even back then. Clearly her body was a difficult shell to maintain. Visually disturbing physical features were evident.
I celebrate Uljana the cancer survivor... and ponder the strength of the human spirit... knowing that her life must been overloaded with many hardships I will never fully understand or experience. I suppose to some degree we are all survivors.
Soon more Riga musings will spew forth.
registrar of wrong
No comments:
Post a Comment