On a Friday Afternoon



On my first Friday afternoon I discovered a half dozen market stalls set up at Rozu Laukums (Rose Square) across the street from the main university building. I thought this chair was beautiful, and it looked quite comfortable. I wanted to try it out but it was occupied...



Kids will be kids, right? Here in nearby Jurmala Park, they're taking turns riding their bikes on a skateboard slope. One older guy was pretty good, while some younger ones wiped out most of the time.

On my first Saturday in town, there was a car rally. People were really excited and this was just the place where the cars got checked in. I hope the rally itself was held out of town! There were scores of cars entered; they filled the adjacent parking lot. I was chased out by a friendly guard who apparently had been told to keep folks away.

This is the one end of Tirgonu Iela (Market St.), the city center pedestrian mall. It comes down to a point at Rose Square. I find the architecture quite charming! There are two of those yellow-and-green buildings although just one is showing here. They are several HUNDRED years old; this plaza used to be the local marketplace.

Around Town



This is a typical street in the northern part of Liepaja, along my route when I go to my office/classroom building. This large apartment building was constructed in 1913.



Here's yet another beautiful example of building refurbishment. Notice the avant garde color scheme!

These lovely facade trims have endured.

This is an ice hockey facility, where the official Liepaja city team practices. 

This monument honors those who died during WW II

For hundreds of years a canal has connected the Baltic Sea with an inland lake that borders the east side of Liepaja, all the way from north to south. Two prominent hotels are located here, as well as a Latvian Navy ship I toured as part of a university-sponsored excursion in September.



Pictured here is Libava, a beautiful if small hotel and spa. The building demonstrates typical Latvian architecture of the period.



Here we see an example of post-WW II Soviet era buildings, next to a much older, abandoned building.



I'm told this beer manufacturer may go out of business! Latvian beer is 4.7% (or more) and is sold in 500 mL containers. It goes down very easily.



The world loves basketball! In this new, clean, well-tended neighborhood on the edge of Vecliepaja (Old Liepaja), contemporary houses are clustered.



The detail lavished on woodworking is remarkable!

My first day in Latvia



Wandering the sometimes maize-like streets of Liepaja, I came upon this house, which now may be a restaurant, in what resembles the Tudor style. I've not seen any other examples of Tudor. (In time I learned that this is indeed a popular restaurant that I pass every time I walk to campus. It's known as Pastnieka Maja - or, Postman's House. I've had several meals there - all delicious, with large servings, and authentically Latvian.)



This section is quite close to the city center where the daily outdoor market is located. It is very commont to see a juxtaposition of old and old-but-redone styles. Latvia is covered in many forests, so there is a lot of wood construction.



This intersection is near Graudu Iela (Grain Street), one of the more prominent and well-dressed locations in Liepaja. Again, notice the contrast in architectural styles. The contemporary building to our right houses the Liepaja Symphony Orchestra. Sometimes while walking to or from campus, I hear students practicing - such fun!

This was a perfect late summer day, breezy, and mostly sunny. Folks are out enjoying themselves. This is part of the "downtown" scene.

Here along Graudu Iela (Grain St.), the cobblestones can be treacherous - at least they would be to me if I were wearing stiletto heels like this woman. Such dress is very common in Liepaja.

A magical day! September 1. It was the first day of school for the children, and here at the university (building on right) the students are out in force. On my way to campus a few hours earlier I noticed a number of children carrying small bunches of flowers - for their teachers? Here in Latvia, flowers are given and displayed and enjoyed for many occasions. A small but lovely bunch costs less than a dollar.

The stark contrast between old and new is remarkable. Obviously the building on the left was built since Latvia regained independence in the early 1990s.