Lithuania
Started in the capital Vilnius. Arrived there after an overnight bus trip, dropped my bags off at the hostel and went out exploring the city.
Like all the capital cities around this part of the world it was really nice. Full of old houses built in styles that you never see in Australia. It's main area is quite small so you easily walk around it, you've just got to be careful of the cobblestone streets which are everywhere too.
Went to a museum about Soviet and Nazi occupations during the 20th century. It was in the foremer KGB office (which the KGB worked in up until 1990ish). The basement was used as a gaol and I walked through there and saw the cells were political prisoners were held.
There's an area on the 'other' side of the river which has been taken over by artists, drunks and squatters. It's called the Republic of Uzupis which literally means 'Republic of the other side of the river'. It's not much to look at but they have their own constitution which is funny. I tried to find it on the internet but I couldn't so you'll just have to believe me that it's funny.
On my way across the country I went to a place called the Hill of Crosses. It's two small hills where people 'plant' crosses. It was pretty amazing to see, there were literally (I think anyway) millions of wooden crosses on the hill. All the big ones had smaller ones hanging off them. I'm not sure why this tradition started but when the Soviets occupied Lithuania they tore them all down but people kept planting them to show their independence.
My last few days in Lithuania were spent in a place called Nida on the Curonian spit which is a long skinny bit of land just off the western coast of mainland Lithuania. It was quite relaxing to stay there for a couple of days and not do too much. I met a lady who is originally from Lithuania but lives in America now at the bus stop, she was visiting her ex mother in law and I ended up staying at here place which was really cheap plus I didn't have to share a room like I do in hostels.
One day I went for a bike ride. The next I walked over to the Baltic sea, I was planning on going for a swim but I only got in as far as my ankles because the water was freezing. So I ended up sitting on the beach for a while instead.
Like all the capital cities around this part of the world it was really nice. Full of old houses built in styles that you never see in Australia. It's main area is quite small so you easily walk around it, you've just got to be careful of the cobblestone streets which are everywhere too.
Went to a museum about Soviet and Nazi occupations during the 20th century. It was in the foremer KGB office (which the KGB worked in up until 1990ish). The basement was used as a gaol and I walked through there and saw the cells were political prisoners were held.
There's an area on the 'other' side of the river which has been taken over by artists, drunks and squatters. It's called the Republic of Uzupis which literally means 'Republic of the other side of the river'. It's not much to look at but they have their own constitution which is funny. I tried to find it on the internet but I couldn't so you'll just have to believe me that it's funny.
On my way across the country I went to a place called the Hill of Crosses. It's two small hills where people 'plant' crosses. It was pretty amazing to see, there were literally (I think anyway) millions of wooden crosses on the hill. All the big ones had smaller ones hanging off them. I'm not sure why this tradition started but when the Soviets occupied Lithuania they tore them all down but people kept planting them to show their independence.
My last few days in Lithuania were spent in a place called Nida on the Curonian spit which is a long skinny bit of land just off the western coast of mainland Lithuania. It was quite relaxing to stay there for a couple of days and not do too much. I met a lady who is originally from Lithuania but lives in America now at the bus stop, she was visiting her ex mother in law and I ended up staying at here place which was really cheap plus I didn't have to share a room like I do in hostels.
One day I went for a bike ride. The next I walked over to the Baltic sea, I was planning on going for a swim but I only got in as far as my ankles because the water was freezing. So I ended up sitting on the beach for a while instead.
posted by pete @ 1:20 AM
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