Valium Nation: Train Stations Of Latvia #1

In no particular order. Taken with a cell phone. From a train.
The scenes look a little shabby because the grass has not had it's first trimming yet and the leaves only came out on the trees about ten days ago so Mother Nature is playing catch up. Other than that you will note that with few exceptions these buildings are well tagged with the graffiti "artists" mindless renderings some being at least seven years old as that is as long as I have been living here. These stations and those that will follow are all on the Tukums Rīgas line.

SLOKA

Definitely one of the orderly stations. Always spotless and almost never a graffiti tag anywhere. It's like someone paints over them every night and it shows in the surrounding area as well. The grounds are immaculate. No trash or bottles. Even the drunks seem to stay away. I liken it to the playing of classical music outside of convenience stores to keep teenagers from loitering. Plus it's pink. Good on you Sloka! The bent pole in the picture is an optical illusion as the train was still moving and my phone cameras capture speed is slow. The round building in the second picture is of course the WC. Very few stations have proper toilets. I have seen people go into the bushes rather than subject themselves to the interiors of these bunkers although I must admit I have not visited Sloka's toilet. Probably it is clean with flowers in a vase.

ASARI

This is an example of how an interesting bit of architecture is just ruined by graffiti. Occasionally the station gets some paint but I guess no one knows how to deal with the glass. There is a lot more tagging in the shadows. Poor Asari, you make me so sad whenever I see you.

JAUNDUBULTI

You can certainly see the Soviet style architecture here. Possibly why someone has put a real effort into artfully painting on the WC wall a Russian soldier complete with Soviet army hat and red vodka nose shovelling shit. I'm surprised it has lasted so long!

ĶEMERI

Ķemeri is the point where the Jūrmala beach region ends as you head west to Tukums. Nice enough station but I've never stopped here.

SMĀRDE

Smārde needs your love. Seriously! It seems solid enough. Just maybe some paint and attention to make it sparkle. I figure there must be apartments on the second floor otherwise why all the satellite dishes? No tagging. Must not be any kids here.