First Impressions of Riga
My Dorm Room - Riga, Latvia
Today is my 6th day in Riga. I spent the first 3 days with the UWEC group, walking around and learning about important historical events. When we first drove into the city, I don't know if it was because the city looked so neat or because I knew I would be spending the next 4 months here, but I got really excited, like I couldn't sit still. Most of the city looks very modern, like any American or European city, but then they also have an Old Town area like many old European cities. It seems like a pretty easy city to navigate. In the Old Town, no matter where you go, you always seem to end up back in the center.
I've had a couple run-ins with some pretty rude people, but those have all been with people who are working, like waitresses or secretaries. This seems to be left over from the Soviet mentality that if you smile, you are not serious. But everyone I have met on the street has been very friendly.
This seems to be one of the more Americanized cities that we have visited in terms of restuarants and stores and cars. I see almost as many SUVs here in Riga as you would in the States. I saw very few in every other city we've been in. And there are a lot of very nice, expensive cars as well.
Riga is definitely a walking city. Pretty much everything you need is in walking distance in the downtown area. Many streets in Old Town are blocked off or mainly pedestrian.
The food is pretty good so far. Many of the other cities I had trouble finishing my meals because I didn't like anything but I haven't had that problem here. Of course, I've been eating at mostly this cafeteria style chain of restaurants around the city that have a very wide variety of food. Some of my favorites are the raspberry pancakes, the chicken stuffed with cheese, and any dessert they have. I do miss ice though. Every drink is room temperature, whether its supposed to be hot or cold.
I had a lot of trouble finding my way out to my dorm, but its quite easy now that I know where it is. Its about a 20 minute trolley bus ride out of the city in a suburb of Riga called Moscow, but trolleybus 15 picks me up almost right outside the building and drops me off right next to the university.
I've been practicing my Latvian and know pretty many basic words (although I probably couldn't recognize them if a native speaker said them to me). I was really excited today when I said "raspberry" (ordering the raspeberry pancakes, of course) and the person understood me.
I have met several international students. My roommate is from Germany but speaks very good English. I've met 3 other people from Germany, 1 person from France, and 4 people from Holland so far.
My room is very nice. Its a suite style with one double room, one single room, and then a shared toilet and shower with the toilet and shower and sinks in two different rooms. It seems to be the norm for guys and girls to share suites (but not rooms) so I expect my suite mate in the single room to be male.
I registered for classes today. I hope to take both Latvian and Russian, and the Baltic history and Baltic Politics. I have the rest of the week until Friday afternoon to explore the city more.
It should be a fun semester.
Today is my 6th day in Riga. I spent the first 3 days with the UWEC group, walking around and learning about important historical events. When we first drove into the city, I don't know if it was because the city looked so neat or because I knew I would be spending the next 4 months here, but I got really excited, like I couldn't sit still. Most of the city looks very modern, like any American or European city, but then they also have an Old Town area like many old European cities. It seems like a pretty easy city to navigate. In the Old Town, no matter where you go, you always seem to end up back in the center.
I've had a couple run-ins with some pretty rude people, but those have all been with people who are working, like waitresses or secretaries. This seems to be left over from the Soviet mentality that if you smile, you are not serious. But everyone I have met on the street has been very friendly.
This seems to be one of the more Americanized cities that we have visited in terms of restuarants and stores and cars. I see almost as many SUVs here in Riga as you would in the States. I saw very few in every other city we've been in. And there are a lot of very nice, expensive cars as well.
Riga is definitely a walking city. Pretty much everything you need is in walking distance in the downtown area. Many streets in Old Town are blocked off or mainly pedestrian.
The food is pretty good so far. Many of the other cities I had trouble finishing my meals because I didn't like anything but I haven't had that problem here. Of course, I've been eating at mostly this cafeteria style chain of restaurants around the city that have a very wide variety of food. Some of my favorites are the raspberry pancakes, the chicken stuffed with cheese, and any dessert they have. I do miss ice though. Every drink is room temperature, whether its supposed to be hot or cold.
I had a lot of trouble finding my way out to my dorm, but its quite easy now that I know where it is. Its about a 20 minute trolley bus ride out of the city in a suburb of Riga called Moscow, but trolleybus 15 picks me up almost right outside the building and drops me off right next to the university.
I've been practicing my Latvian and know pretty many basic words (although I probably couldn't recognize them if a native speaker said them to me). I was really excited today when I said "raspberry" (ordering the raspeberry pancakes, of course) and the person understood me.
I have met several international students. My roommate is from Germany but speaks very good English. I've met 3 other people from Germany, 1 person from France, and 4 people from Holland so far.
My room is very nice. Its a suite style with one double room, one single room, and then a shared toilet and shower with the toilet and shower and sinks in two different rooms. It seems to be the norm for guys and girls to share suites (but not rooms) so I expect my suite mate in the single room to be male.
I registered for classes today. I hope to take both Latvian and Russian, and the Baltic history and Baltic Politics. I have the rest of the week until Friday afternoon to explore the city more.
It should be a fun semester.
posted by Megan Humphreys @ 8/28/2006 08:18:00 AM
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