The twelve days of Latvija: Day 2, Ungurmalas

Beautiful Ungura ezers, although not the biggest in Latvia it's certainly not the smallest, measuring about 1.5 square miles in size. The lake was about 1.5 hours from the capital city Rīga, and we were there to celebrate the Ķeņģis family – seven generations in all!

This super-sized family reunion took place at the reatreat "Ungurmalas” on the shores of the Ungura lake. The location was perfectly suited for the occasion, with a large indoor area overlooking the lake, a stage that housed the main presentation, and a lakeside venue for dinner and dancing.

"Dad, did you bring the fishing pole?"

My husband’s mother’s father’s father’s father’s father’s father’s father was Dāvis Ķeņģis, and the family tree showed exactly how all 200 people in attendance were related to him. Putting together such a detailed genealogy that goes back that far is a wonderful achievement, and it certainly is something to celebrate!

The family tree - can you see my box, it's the one in the middle...

Dinner was a grand affair, and every traditional Latvian food I could have wished for made an appearance… the aukstais galds was unbelievable! The organizers had pulled out all the stops, booking Māris Grigalis as the MC and Lauku Muzikanti for some hopping tunes.

"I'm related to that guy, and her, and him..."

While the adults dined, the kids had fun of their own; a large majority of the children had spent the week together in a camp of sorts and they traveled in roving bands across the grounds. Throughout the evening we also learned more about the family history; in addition to a movie (and the start of a book on the subject), a new family crest was also revealed. The dreary day turned into a gorgeous midsummer twilight, and laughing and dancing brought us all together under the tent even as the night finally settled in.