My trip into Latvian fashion of yore complete, I strike out for the main part of town to do a some shopping before heading back to Bolderaja. Here's a look at the Riga castle, Riga pils, from the park next to it. I walked up to the main street dividing old Riga from new. The coins painted in the bank ad are the Latvian lat from the years of independence. If you look closely, you can see they're dated from the 1920's and 30's.

Turning right, I head across the park, which includes Bastejkalns, the highest point in the city. Through the trees you can see Milda, the woman sculpted on top of the Freedom Monument. It's still autumn, still beautiful.

Seeing the gold colors and the old stone bridge being renovated in the heart of the park, I start thinking there's hope, after all.