Unexpected Latvian Adventure

Today Latvia made me feel like an adventurous backpacker again. 💪 ___ I’ll admit, as I get older I get a little more lazy and reclusive on the road. While in my early 20s I totally slept in train stations and partied all night with new hostel friends in foreign cities, now there are times where I stay in comfortable boutique hotels and (happily) don’t talk to anyone else the whole time. ___ But not today. 😊 ___ This morning I ate breakfast in the communal Riga hostel kitchen without my laptop, and met two Argentinian guys. When I told them I was visiting Panama soon, they did a language exchange with me for an hour! ___ Then I hopped on a bus and went — without a plan — to Jūrmala, located about 30 minutes outside of Riga. ___ I knew Majori was the popular stop in this city, but when I saw a map that showed a National Park — Kemeri National Park, to be specific — was only 30 minutes away, I hopped on it. ___ When I arrived, I got off the train and just...hiked. 🚶‍♀️ ___ I hiked through the swamp. Through the sulfur springs. And to one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen, Sloka Lake. ___ And then, after I’d soaked in every bit of it, I sprinted back to make my train — in my sandals, because I was very ill prepared for trekking such distances. 😂 ___ Swipe right to check out the photos from this gorgeous experience! ➡️ ___ * * *