Day 3: Come rain or shine

My third day in Latvia has passed but I feel like I have been here for much longer! I have noticed a pattern in Latvian weather since being here. It rains at night, it is sunny in the morning and then rains again for the rest of the day. I really wanted to go out for a walk today (and buy this much-needed swimming costume) so I did that thing when you wait inside hoping that the rain will die down so you can step outside. It never usually stops and we just brace ourselves, but today was my lucky day. As soon as I decided to go out, the sun stayed out all day long!

The sun shining over Gauja River.

So my aims for today were to: 1) sort out a SIM card/cheap phone to use in Latvia and 2) buy a swimming costume. Whilst in the shopping centre, I realised that my shopping habits have not changed even when in a different country. I tried on at least 6 bikinis (in different sizes to work out the Latvian sizes) in 3 different shops and was still undecided after 2 hours. In the end, I had to put my foot down and choose one.

I wandered around the shopping centre, searching for something that resembled a phone shop. I found one and ended up buying the cheapest phone in the shop (it had to be a Nokia didn't it?) and a Latvian SIM card.

What a beauty!

One thing I love about Latvia is the natural landscapes look so untouched, like a photo on a postcard or painting. I hope to explore more of Latvia and take some amazing photos along the way.

Trees, trees and more trees.

In the evening I went out for dinner with my internship coordinator and ate a scrummy pasta and steak dish at a beautifully decorated restaurant (forgot to take a picture though!). Walking around and looking at the buildings in this town, I have been really wondering about the history of Latvia. I was astonished to find out about Latvia has been under the Russian Empire, held under Nazi German and Soviet control whilst being torn through the two world wars and become independent twice - all over the last 2 centuries. Most of Valmiera was bombed and had to be restored. Looking at it, you could never tell! There is so much history to such a small country and I intend to delve deeper into it during my stay.

Ruins of Livonia Castle built in 17th century, Valmiera.

I feel so privileged to be here and to be able to share these photos with those reading my blog and hopefully this will inspire you all to visit Latvia and experience the beauty for yourselves one day.

Tomorrow is the beginning of a very busy week for me and the other intern who arrived today - I will do the cinema and tourist office next week. Wish me luck!

"Resolve to be the 'sun'. Then no matter what problems you may face, the dawn will always break, fine weather will always return, and spring will never fail to come." - Daisaku Ikeda