May 5 - Hanging out in Jurmala, Latvia

Woke up early and went grocery shopping at the local store…. fruit, bread, beer, toilet paper, pastries, and stuff.
 J-Me slept in.

I ate and went back to sleep. The sun was shining. but it was still cold. Went for a walk on the beach: found no amber but did collect some beautiful little pink shells. Came back to the cottage and went back to sleep. J-Me was still sleeping. Man, this vacation stuff wipes you out. J-Me thinks it is the cold weather.

Finally, woke up J-Me and we went driving around town, looking at the old buildings and shopping in  down town Jurmala, where we found an antique amber brooch and a brass plate. Haggled successfully for a lower price. The shop owner was very interested in us and talked our ear off about rock and roll, politics, Russia/Latvia, and the current affair over Ukraine. It was fun talking with him.

We noticed many of the houses we in major need of repair. If you really look at it, you can see how beautiful it will look when it is repaired.

 But the ones which we already fixed up, looked beautiful. Almost all of the houses in this area were very large, looking to hold a large family with around 6 kids.

One such house was a huge mansion with very ornate gates and fence.

We saw a ornate and colorful church.

We found a quaint little Georgian/Uzbekistan/Armenian restaurant. Most all of their main dishes were using lamb meat. The food was flavorful and even looked pretty when served. Guy sampled the local brew, which was very good. He had both a light beer and a dark beer.

Guy's meal of sausage, veggies and onions.  J-Me enjoying the chaise lounge at dinner.

The young couple sitting next to us was from Keiv, Ukraine. They were smoking flavored tobacco from a hookah (which was on the menu if a person wished to order one).  Again one of the main topics was the Russians taking over Crimea, Ukraine. They were concerned about this happening to their whole country.

After Dinner we took a walk on the beach- again it was too cold and chased us back inside.

 Guy playing on one of the kid toys on the beach. It would be easier to use with more people. 

Once we got back to our little cottage, we had a nice hot cup of tea to help get warm.