We're Famous

It's a cool day in Riga today.  The temperature is only 57 degrees, and it's quite breezy out.  We didn't go to church this morning.  I'm not sure why we didn't go, but we didn't.  I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of Sundays that I have missed church in the last several years, so it was strange to not go.  Of all the things back in Indiana, church is the thing I miss the most.

We ran out to one of the shopping centers on the outskirts of Riga this afternoon.  It's a big shopping center, and lots of people were there shopping.  I still can't believe the number of women's clothing and shoe stores that there are here.  All I have to say is that the women here must really enjoy shopping and have lots of money to spend!  I think I mentioned before that Latvian women seem to be tall and thin -- especially the younger women.  Well, I have decided that European clothing sizes are a heck of a lot different than American.  I went and tried on some jackets today, and it was sad.  In addition, narrow-width shoes are nowhere to be found here.  I'm just really out of luck!

I didn't buy any clothes today, but we got something even better -- chocolate!  There is a very well-known candy store here called Laima.  However, I think it's kind of "lame-a."  (I know, not funny.) Anyway, in this particular shopping center, there is another chocolate store called "Emils Gustavs." We've sampled some of their chocolates before, and they are excellent.  Truffles are the big thing here, so I purchased some today.  I ended up getting quite a few of them, because my daughter and her husband are going to come and visit this week, and she's like her mother -- she loves chocolate. Anyway, here is a picture of the candy I bought:

The first one is not a truffle.  It is simply milk chocolate with chopped nuts.  The second one is a creme truffle, the next two are berry truffles, and the last one is a caramel truffle.  I haven't tasted them all yet, but the berry truffles are excellent, and the milk chocolate with nuts is my favorite.  They're good, but they don't come close to Lowry's.

Did you know that I'm famous in Riga?  I even have my own website.  I have some pictures to prove it, too.  Here they are:

For those of you who don't know, my nickname as a child was "Lulu."  Actually, my dad called me that until the day he died, when I was 49.  I guess, when I was little, I had a Little Lulu doll that I loved so much I carried it everywhere.  (I don't remember it, but that's the story I've heard.)  Anyway, this Lulu Pizza restaurant is in Old Town, and I couldn't resist taking the picture.  We haven't eaten there yet, but we definitely will before we leave.  I looked up the website.  It has the following statement on it:  "The best remedy for wrinkles -- 6 bottles of beer.  Effect the next morning."  I guess I'd better get to drinking some beer.  The problem is that I don't care for it at all.  From what we have seen, I definitely would have problems fitting in here in Riga.  Beer drinking is quite the norm, and, boy, does it ever get drunk out!

Don is famous, too, but not as famous as I am.  Here is his proof:

If you look closely, you will see the name "Don" under the chef's picture.  However, I think it's funny that the bigger word you see first starts with the word "gas."  Gee, "Don" and "Gas" in the same name. Fancy that...

Well, I have a concert to go to, so I'll close for now.  We're going to hear the Latvia Radio Chorus, supposedly one of the best adult choirs in the country.  Can't wait to hear them.

Until next time, keep singing!