Amazing Vilnius Weekend

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Our final blog before we

return home to Idaho via Paris next week.



Last weekend we took a

somewhat last minute trip

to Vilnius, Lithuania

to stay with Olya and Andrei



They live in New Old Town Vilnius

in a charming and comfortable flat.

Olya is an amazing cook,

delicious dinner and breakfast.

Yummy chocolates from Dziugas.



They were our tour guides

to Old Town Vilnius,

a UNESCO world heritage site.

11 km of sightseeing on foot

(the distance was not obvious

until we covered a blister on Kevin’s heel and

George felt super stiff calves the next morning)



We walked through the Jewish Quarter

and ducked into the inner courtyards

of several buildings to snoop.

Too many church spires to count.

We visited several old churches,

the castle tower on top of the hill.

We went through the Gates of Dawn

and stopped by the Portobello Pub’s

outdoor patio under the trees

for a yummy beer and some

kepta duona, fried dark bread with garlic.



After our tour we ate

delicious authentic Lithuanian food,

cepelinai – meat and potato zeppelins

and smoked pigs ears

looks a lot like bacon…

until you bite the cartilage!



A lot was going on…

an automobile race,

complete with military band,

the evening hot air balloons filling in the park

devoted Christians singing at the

black and gold virgin Mary icon,

a wedding at the cathedral,

a model photo shoot.



The train was full so we took the bus.

A little slower with one stop at Oshmyany,

then a long wait at the border crossing,

passports stamped leaving Belarus.

Customs check of baggage,

passports stamped going into Lithuania.

Repeat going home to Minsk.

Friendly passengers both ways

helped with Russian translation.

This is one way to get close to the culture.

A memorable weekend.

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Photos

Orthodox church across from the flat
magical onion domes

Arrival in Vilnius
one and one-half hours late,
met by cheerful Olya and Andrei

balloons in the evening
being filled in the park below one of the many churches,
we watched as they went up, up, and away

sign encouraging us to smile
we didn't need the reminder,
a fantastic weekend in Vilnius

another beautiful church
St. Anne

and again
from the top of castle hill

Comments

[Renee]

wonderful
Another year here and gone. Sure have enjoyed your blogs. Happy Trails back to the states.

[Nancy Wood]

What a year for you! It has been great you have been able to keep up the blog along with photos and keep us at your side:)