exploring lithuania…..

Sometimes, I think it is important to pencil in a little adventure somewhere on the calendar, so I decided to go to Vilnius again for the weekend….. but this time by myself.  Now, although my whole entire experience in Russia is essentially an adventure I embarked on “alone,” I do not usually travel places on my own and this past weekend, I found out how amazing it can be.  Granted, I love traveling with my husband and friends, but I think it is important to go places alone sometimes because you become a better traveler – more savvy and a bit fearless.  In general, there are things that would have terrified me before coming to live in Russia and now I think I have a lot less fear about things that need not be feared, as well as a healthy respect for that which should be respected (and sometimes, avoided).  Currently, I am already plotted another trip alone – maybe to the Ukraine or Belarus (it might be worth the visa).  Anyhow, here is a glimpse of lovely Lithuania!  It is such an interesting country with a tragic history during World War II and the Sovietization process.  If you ever find yourself in Vilnius, the KGB museum is a must-visit….. there you can explore the cells were people were tortured and executed.  It was a heavy two hour visit and I’ve included two of the paintings outside of the museum at the end of my post.  I believe they were all painted by schoolchildren – I found them fascinating.  Please enjoy this trip to Lithuania along with me and I hope to bring you more scenes from the Post-Soviet space in the near future!

by the bus station in Trakai.

looking at the wall of art.

village house in Trakai.

the castle in Trakai.

waterfront in Trakai.

Trakai Village.

Trakai.

Užupio Respublika.

Užupio Respublika Constitution.

a cat in Užupio Respublika.

 

after the rain.....

love locks.

a Babushka selling flowers.

while riding on the train through the Lithuanian countryside.....

waiting for the train.....