Day 7 - 22nd May - Riga, Latvia (Part 6)
[Orthodox] Nativity Cathedral, Riga
It looks better from the front
We then went to the Skyline Bar, on Level 27 of Reval Hotel.
View (not from the bar, but maybe halfway up)
We were also there to sample Black Balzams, a traditional liqueur which had cured Catherine the Great of an illness.
It was the most potent thing I'd ever tasted. Worse than Ouzo, even. Made me coo for half a minute.
nw.t: It's not that bad... It's bad, but it's not the worst thng I've ever had... Even 74% Bacardi 151 doesn't taste as bad as this.
nw.t said there were 2 things worse than this: Vietnamese Starfruit Brandy, which tasted like alcoholic bonjela, and Sambuca.
It's probably good for health because it puts you off alcoholic drinks. And there's a good reason why it's remained a local drink.
The Mojito was much better, in comparison.
The second (red sun) best characterises the light, as this was at 9pm
We then took the tram back.
I don't know what this is
Street from tram
Latvia seemed to be in keeping with the venerable European tradition of fare avoidance, as we were accosted by a very cunningly disguised inspector. The inspector was totally incognito, and kept his photo ID hidden under his coat and buttoned away, displaying it only to the person whose ticket he was inspecting (i.e. if you boarded the tram you might not know the person talking to someone else in the corner was a tram inspector inspecting tickets, raising your chances of being caught if you were a fare cheat).
Speaking of fare avoidance, there was a sign on the tram warning against it. Notice how, apparently, the only person on the tram who is caught for fare avoidance is not only black in colour but has an afro. Hurr hurr.
The design of the tram windows was very smart: you could only open them on one side - the one where sticking your head out of the window would not get it chopped off bya tram traveling in the opposite direction.
Nelson Mandela and Me. He also bit my toes, confirming my hypothesis that pussies were evil, so I stopped playing with him. Once I donned house slippers, though, he lost interest. Moral of the story: it's very important to use protection when playing with pussies.
HWMNBN demonstrating the German Door
Quotes:
I have taken a vow of celibacy [for this trip] [Me: What's your definition of celibacy?] I want to preserve my 阳气 [Yang2 Qi4 - Male Energy]. [Me: So if we get someone to blow you until just before you come, it's okay] I shall have to consult with higher theological authorities on this one.