Riga is a bustling city. Trams, buses, ferries. Pedestrians, cyclists. Viking boats.
The open air market comes alive with vendors selling pyramids of plump cherries and blueberries, flaky pastries and meats hanging from hooks behind glass counters.
Tourists crowd streets as skies surrounding massive clouds turn from dismal gray to blaring blue.
Locals find fresh air during walks to work and to visit neighbors.

This photographic challenge is focused on finding stillness behind, before and between the movement of this charming city.

Here are the results:

Meat Market – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Powder Tower – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

More beautiful flowers at the market – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Occupy Me – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

For the health conscious there’s plenty of vegetables at the market – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Rigas Sporta Maneza – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Mermaid Food – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Open – But Closed – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Rockabilly – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Riga’s Old Town – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Dancing in the Streets – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Teletubbies Streetside – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Each meat stand had it’s own vase of flowers – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Colorful Cyclist – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Flower Market – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

House of Blackheads and surrounding square – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Those legs were made for riding – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com copy

Love and Lust – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Cherries and Blueberries – and hair to match – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Old Town Umbrella – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Sweet scented meats – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Spitting Rainbows – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Look at all those deserts – and those prices – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Fish Market (this part didn’t smell as good) – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

The market even has wine sold from the barrel – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Deli Market – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Daffodils and pork – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Mushroom Market – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Daisies a saw and a fresh cut of meat – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Umbrellas on the Streets of Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Cheese shops aplenty at the market – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Amazing desserts at the market – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Turquoise Walls – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

Just for kicks – Riga Latvia – by Anika Mikkelson – Miss Maps – http://www.MissMaps.com

This is the third of three photographic challenges personally designed while in Riga to help tell the city’s story in a more intimate way. The first, “Through the Looking Glass” can be found by clicking HERE

The second, Riga’s rooftops, is waiting for you HERE.

Here’s to seeing Riga and the rest of the world in a new light!