Riga

Coming down with a spring cold  compounded by tree pollen allergies is no fun, but I only sneezed once during an organ concert last night at the 13th century (and rebuilt and renovated onwards) huge Dom Cathedral last night. Fortunately, guide Eve has been plying us with Latvian chocolate and local herbal concoctions, including a non-alcoholic kvass (a rye beer known as "healthy coke") and black balsam (90 proof, tasted like cough syrup).

Note the bracing with steel belts on the side columns -- I could see many cracks in the ceiling, some with what must be electronic sensors to detect shifting or expansion.
We learned today how to tell the difference between Catholic and Lutheran churches: Catholic ones have crosses on top of their steeples, Lutheran ones roosters (to awaken believers to a new life?)
Because of its location on trading routes and its fir forests (coveted for timber used for masts) Latvia was frequently invaded. It was  controlled by Sweden during the 18th century, and continues to have an economic connection through investments, etc. so the one ferry from Riga is direct to Stockholm. Also seems to have a lot of tall blondes.

On the bus ride to see some more castles we saw several stork nests.

Art Nouveau cats.