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Published: July 14th 2010
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July 10 - I woke up today after a so-so night's sleep. All I wanted to do last night was go to bed and watch an episode of The Daily Show before snoozing. Instead, I met a new roommate chatterbox and then finally told him I was going to watch some tv. Five minutes later, one of the Belgian girls came in and started to talk to me. Lovely girl, bad timing. When we were done talking, it was 12:30am and I went to sleep. No Jon Stewart.
I woke up with more itchy bites - I look like a bitemare. It's offical. Had some breakfast, when hostel boy could be bothered to get up. Walked to the bus station with chatterbox and then got a bus to a town called Bauska, where I had to switch to a bus to Rundale Palace, my day trip of the day. There was a twenty minute wait for the first bus and then an hour wait for the second. When the bus pulled up, he told me he didn't go to Rundale. I ran in to ask the lady and she said there was another bus now, so go get on. Another
bus was indeed there, though at this point I was beginning to think I would never get there. Luckily, this was the right bus. It's so convenient that many people speak English, especially people selling tickets. This ride took twenty minutes or so, and then I checked the bus schedule for the ride back to Bauska just so I wouldn't be left sitting around next time. There were two different lists, but I wrote them all down and went on my way.
The palace was quite large and beautiful. I didn't have a tour and got very minimal information reading the few cards they had placed around, but what more did I need to know than this was a fancy schmancy house that has fallen into disrepair and then been fixed up again? They have done a great job. There are also beautiful gardens which I walked around, but it was so hot. Eventually I put my feet in the fountain for a few minutes like everyone else. I noticed there was a wedding or two that were going to take place that evening. A man kept testing the microphone in the gardens with all kinds of crazy sounds
that were echoing everywhere.
Getting the bus back was easy, and I met a Russian woman who was just in Riga for today and tomorrow, just a quick weekend trip. She was nice to talk to on the first bus ride. On the bus to Riga we sat near each other but did our own thing, including snoozing. She told me the bus info office was very good, so I went there on the return to ask about my next two day trips. They gave me tons of info and maps. Very cool.
I stopped again at the dumpling/ravioli place for an early dinner, and then stopped at a pharmacy looking for insect repellent for my ever increasing number of welts. I hope these are not bed bugs, but now I am not so sure. She only had sprays but I wanted a cream. I did buy something for the itching and then continued walking for a few blocks to look for another pharmacy. This woman had tons of options, so I bought an herbal oil thing. Weird that you have to buy insect repllent at the pharmacy. Then I came back to the hostel. Once inside the
building I realized that all the key card door locks were now regular door locks. I took a shower and then the girl who was working here (where did the guy go?) told me that the hostel is now closed. I can stay tonight but then I have to leave. What? My reservation is for two more nights. I chose to stay in Riga for five nights and do day trips so that I wouldn't have to pack up again. And I chose this hostel for the laundry, which I haven't needed to do yet. And now I have to leave. I don't even think the Belgian girls know yet, and they are staying for five more days or so. Really disappointing. I think I have reservations somewhere else now. I should go find somewhere I like, but I have already showered and it's so hot still. Blah. Tomorrow I'll need to be quite early to do another day trip I have planned, which I'm not looking forward to. The getting up early, that is.
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