April 2, 2009 We are back in Vilnius. Our first class train ride was wonderful. There are several differences to first and second class. Both compartments were structurally the same with the exception of the first having only 2 beds. These were fully made up with mattress pad, fresh sheets (grey stripped), freshly covered duvet and pillow - all covered over with a spread. There was also the requisite towel. There was a TV for video viewing. They showed a Leonardo DiCaprio film in Lithuanian. You have no need to go to the dining car as your dinner and breakfast are [View Full Entry]

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This year Lithuania celebrates the 1000 year anniversary for the mentioning of its name. The first time Lithuania was mentioned was in 1009 in the Saxonicae Annales Quedlinburgenses, where apparently a Saxon missionary named Bruno of Querfurt was struck in the head after trying to baptise the people living in Lithuania. The year of 2009 is therefore perfect for Lithuanian capital Vilnius to be the European Cultural Capital, though this has not been a success story until now. One might actually draw comparisons between the old and bloody recordings of Saint Bruno and the rather scandalous b [View Full Entry]

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In the morning of Wednesday it was raining pretty hard so we had a late start. First, we went to visit where I (Denis) grew up until we left for US (17 years ago). It was quite amazing how little the neighborhood changed since that time. The changes that are noticeable are mostly not very good ones. The central doors to the complexes used to stay open all the time, they did not have any locks in them. Now, key or number combination locks. Pretty much all lower floor balconies are fenced up. A lot more graffiti is visible around (actually [View Full Entry]

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Do you know the supposedly American expression of "a good burn", often used by the character Michael Kelso in "That 70's show"? Well in Lithuania they really like a good burn. Having lived in Vilnius for a little more than two months, I have become quite accustumed to the Lithuanian version of a good burn. I live in an apartment block between Neris and the old town, and in the driveway into the yard we previously had several large plastic containers for garbage use. But one morning coming down the stairs, my colleague and I noticed that the containers were no [View Full Entry]

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hey guys, currently killling time in the hostel awaiting my overnight bus to Warsaw, Poland. But the last 36 hours have been spent in lil old Vilnius. First arrived and with my dutch mate we explored the city, which (by my reconning) has 1 church for every 5 people. The most numerous by far considering the population is only a mere 400,000. So slightly bigger than Adelaide, but with less churchs. But these are the most animated by far - anyway enough on churches. The rest of the old town is larger than talinn and Riga that I have been to [View Full Entry]

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Monday brought rain and what felt like chillier weather but by the time we made it out and about the rain had mostly stopped. First on our agenda was to visit the building Denis' mom grew up in only a few blocks away from where our hotel is in Old Town Vilnius. It was really a powerful experience to see it. We ate at an Italian restaurant and confirmed two of our suspicions: 1. You pretty much have to ask for the check when you are done, the service is prompt and all, but once you get your items the staff [View Full Entry]

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Our trip began with an uneventful four hour flight to Chicago, followed by a 3.5 hour layover which was pretty boring except that we saw Matthew Lesko in the airport. You know the crazy guy with the question marks all over his suit and the thick glasses - who explains how to get free money from the government? (Apparently he has more time to travel now….) Next we boarded the airbus for our 7 plus hour flight to Copenhagen which at first seemed like it was going to be really nice since we were seated right in front of the lavatory. [View Full Entry]

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March 25, 2009 I am so far behind in this travelblog. My intentions were good but we have been unable to find an internet connection. Hopefully, tomorrow John will be going to a lawyers office to attach this to the blog. For anyone out there who is kind enough to be interested in this, I apologize for the delay. It is a curious thing to write. We have been in Vilnius since late Sunday. At first, the city appeared as a very depressed area. Many of the buildings are in deteriorating condition. In many instances, this is the result of the [View Full Entry]

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It is freezing, and I constantly feel a bit ill and with a throbbing in my throat. It has been snowy white for long periods through February while ice flakes have made their way down the Neris River, which floats by my house. March is more optimistic and the sun shines through, but it is still a while I am sure until I can enjoy the spring in the Lithuanian capital. I have resided in Vilnius for two months now, and start to get the feel of the city. It is a very vibrant city though winter tends to have a [View Full Entry]

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It was festival time. Traditional Lithuanian experience! [View Full Entry]

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