I woke to rain. From my hostel bed!
The rain passed soon, and I set off to explore. My first visit? To the KGB Museum, located in the former KGB office. The incredibly animated guide lead us on a spectacular interactive tour.
Sobering.
Latvia gained its freedom from Soviet Russia only in 1990. The KGB functioned as secret police, hiding their identities. They would grab people off the streets, dehumanize then, keep them in this prison for 2-3 months, then either execute them or send them to the Gulag–camps of political prisoners. How can many Americans not see what’s happening?
I have heard guides speak in Estonia and Latvia, both about the Soviet occupation, and the war in Ukraine. I can hear the steel behind their voices. The guide at the KGB prison said every good Latvian boy keeps a Kalishnikov in their basement. They he laughed and said he was just kidding. They had two hands. Two Kalishnikovs.
I returned to the hostel to grab my coat. And just chill for a while before returning to the Old City.
I returned to the Old City, wandering from market to market. I explored back and forth, before finding a supermarket and stocking up for tomorrow. I spent the evening in the hostel common area, just enjoying the ebb and flow.
I heard back this morning from the South African couple, heading out into the rain. While I plan to ride to Aizkraukle tomorrow following (and then surpassing) their route, an update from them tonight could radically change my plans.