Dear Riga,

I was born in a small town, eigh kilometers from Rotterdam. Under the smoke of Rotterdam, as we say here. As I grew up, people expected me to see Rotterdam as my city. Especially during the eternal "Rotterdam vs. Amsterdam" discussions, I was supposed to be all for that city. I guess I did start to like that concrete jungle after I went to college there. It's got a certain something, with all its arrogance and modern architecture. But let me tell you one thing, Riga: Rotterdam's got nothing on you.

I first noticed you were similar to Rotterdam when I was on the riverbanks. That bridge you've got there looks a lot like our Erasmusbrug. But it's not just the bridge, it's the vibe. You've got that bog-city-in-a-small-European-country thing going. It suits you.
The similarities don't end there. You know the Markthal, that market in a hall in Rotterdam that we;re so proud of? You've got that too! Multiple! And yours are even better! Your markets are authentic, the way markets are meant to be. They sell almost everything I could imagine. And those halls they're in used to be zeppelin hangars, how awesome is that? I could've stayed there for hours - except for the hangar in which they sell fish. My nose did not like that one.
Up until there I thought you were Rotterdam in disguise. River, bridge, market in hall, canals... But then I found out you have something Rotterdam doesn't have: you have an old town. My god, did I fall in love with your old town.
I loved the old city walls, the churches, the tiny streets. I got lost, as I always do, but I didn't mind getting lost in your old town. Who can get frustrated in a city that had little cat statues on a house as one of the major sights to see? I could've spent hours in the old town. Actually, I did. But there was still so much more to see. I found a clothes store I liked, which hasn't happened since 2010. And to be honest, the minute I noticed you had a Pakistani kebab place, I couldn't stop thinking of you in any other words than 'awesome' and its synonyms.

Riga, I'm sorry I only spent two days exploring your streets. But in those two days, I started to love you more than I've loved Rotterdam in all 20 years of my life. One day I hope to return to you. You were great. Really, Rotterdam has nothing on you.