My adventures in Latvia, a gem in the Baltics, offered a blend of beauty and unexpected excitement. Latvia, especially in the early 2000s, was a less-traveled destination, partly due to its expensive cost of living, even shocking the Brits with its high prices. The Latvian Lat, their currency then, significantly impacted our budget, so my friend and I were quite economical during our stay.
One of the most striking memories from Latvia was an incident that occurred after a day of city tours. I was enjoying a beer in a picturesque European square, the beauty of which I wanted to capture in a photo. The day had been pleasant, but as the night fell, things took a dramatic turn.
Exiting a bar to cool off, I found myself confronted by two men in leather coats. The situation escalated quickly, with a gun pressed against my back and a demand to walk towards a darker alley. With my heart pounding, I complied, expecting the worst. They directed me to an ATM, where I withdrew the maximum amount and handed it over.
Fear engulfed me as they instructed me to walk down a long, dark alley. I offered them everything I had, hoping for mercy. After a tense walk, I realized they had vanished, leaving me unharmed but shaken. This incident, though frightening, became one of my most memorable travel stories, reminding me that danger can lurk even in the most unexpected places.
