Riga
Map
November 12–13 2001
They’re trying very hard to remove all traces of Riga’s Russian past. It’s a wonder this bilingual street sign survived.
Riga used to have a well-developed manufacturing sector. But they drove all of the factories into bankruptcy to spite the Russians and were left without VEF phones, Radiotehnika stereos, RAF marshrutka share taxis, and RVR trains. Trains are still running, but only just, and soon there won’t be any Riga-made ones left.
The branded Moscow — Riga train is now up and running. In the compartments there’s a button you can use to call the train manager and, for example, order something to eat from the restaurant car. Untold luxury.
A woman who looks homeless plays the accordion for the pigeons.
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