One of the places we promised to go was out to Koknese, where Silvija's dad had grown up. He had reclaimed property there—which he had never seen. Silvija's mom had a very difficult time with health problems in Latvia their last trip there together, and it was difficult for Silvija's dad, leaving her mom behind this trip. As we've said, one should never predict what can't happen, but Silvija's dad thought this might be his last trip back to Latvia.
So, we absolutely promised we would take one day to drive out to Koknese—an hour or two's drive along the northern shore of the Daugava River east of Riga.
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After stopping at the train station (our pre-arranged rendezvous point) to pick up (okay, this gets complicated...) Silvija's dad's best friend's Ojar's son-in-law Janis (whew!), we headed out on the dirt roads to the piece of land Silvija's dad had reclaimed.
Latvians have a deep, almost spiritual connection with the white birch. In retrospect, it's almost ironic that Peters' brother-in-law from his first marriage had bought a house on a piece of property in Connecticut that was on an old birch tree farm. Even then, Peters couldn't ignore the seductive siren song of the soft wind whispering through the birch tree leaves.
After swatting really big mosquitoes and admiring the birches, we carefully made a U-turn on the little dirt road (did we mention the gullies on both sides?) and headed back towards town. Our next stop was to swing by Silvija's dad's neighborhood where he grew up as a child in Koknese. Latvians are all sentimentalists—when Janis took care of the paperwork for Silvija's dad's land, he named it the name of his childhood home, Robezkalni (literally, "Border-hills").
Silvija's dad's old home was still there, looking much as it had those many years ago. Of course, someone else lives there now—Silvija's dad didn't say much, but there was a sense, we're sure, of not being able to go home. Even when Peters' mom returns to Latvia, her old home, Mordanga, still feels like home—yet, there too, is a deep abiding sense that the past is gone forever. The future is in the hands of the next generation.
Across the road however, it was possible for just a few moments to Silvija's dad to feel at home. His grammar school friend still lived there, and the house, fitted logs grayed over what was surely at least a century, looked just as it had, if a bit more worn than last remembered. That mattered little as Silvija's dad chatted away.
The day was hot and sunny—we were sorely in need of a bit of shade, whether natural or artificial, and sustenance. Janis (whose parents still live in Koknese—and where he works during the week) knew the perfect spot for us to turn in and enjoy some hearty Latvian food and chat over cold beers. Poor Peters, our designated driver, he had to drink juice!
- June 1999"Honeymoon in Latvia!"—devoted to friends and family.
- Our home base was Zaubes ielain an apartment Silvija's parents had rented on several occasions
- Our day trip to Koknesewhere Silvija's dad grew up and reclaimed land
- Without a visit to MordangaPeters' visits to Latvia are never complete
- We celebrated Kristine's birthday at Ruses ielawhere there was fun for everyone!
- Old family friends in Kandava and business in Kulidgamade for another pleasurable day trip
- A visit to Vecakito drop in on Peters' side of our newly doubled extended family
- Rigano better place for good food and good friends!
- We visit Peters' mom's cousin in Alsviki and sister in Bolderajathere's no more pleasurable chore than getting to see all the relatives!
- It's a wrapall too soon we head for home