Trakai, 2006

Me in Trakai

Trakai is an amazing place in the winter. At this time of year, one can skate along the frozen lake, go ice fishing or ride the skidoos.

The KGB Museum

Partisan Uniform, KGB Museum

The guardroom

The KGB Museum (aka Museum of Genocide Victims) is a must for those who want to capture some of the 'recent' history of the Soviet Period. The building was the former KGB Headquarters of Vilnius from 1944 - 1989. From 1941, it was home of the Gestapo when the Nazis took over Vilnius.
At 2LT, it is a bargain. Be prepared, however for some cold, moving facts about the destruction of Lithuania and its Partisan movement. What's even more chilling is the padded cell at the end of the corridor where many mentally ill or disturbed prisoners were locked inside so that no one could hear them scream.
For those who are prepared to face the chilling grimness, the KGB Museum is off Gedimino Street.
Auku str. 2a, VilniusTel.: +370 5 2663282E-Mail: muziejus@genocid.lt

Rain at Last

The temperature is 44F and it is pouring with rain. It's so nice to see those horrible mounds of snow disappear. Spring at Last? I don't think so. Apparently, there is more snow on the way. I'm basically stuffed!!!

Europas Parkas: The Centre of Europe?

It is the 27th March and finally, the snow is melting at last!!! In town, people are beginning to taek off their woolly hats and gloves. Despite the melting snow, more flurries of fresh snow dropped to top it up.
I went to Europas Parkas at the weekend, which is very close to the geographical centre of Europe. However, I thought it was a total rip-off and a waste of time. At 18 Litas, it is really expensive to see a few half-decent scultures which is supposed to be art. The highlight is Gintaras Karosas' 'sculpture' of 6,000 old TV sets. Apparently, this is the largest sculpture of old TV sets in Europe!!!
That said, the bus ride is really nice as you travel through winding roads in the countryside. To get there, catch the infrequent No.92 bus from the New York club. You can get to the NY Club by catching the 53 bus to Zalgirio stop. For more info, check out the tourist info bureau.

http://www.europosparkas.lt/English/collection.html

Busy times

It is the first day of spring and it is still pissing down with snow. I raised my hopes on Satuday that Spring had finally arrived. How wrong!! It doesn't feel any different than November.
It has come to the end of the semester and we are doing loads of tests for the studes. While most adults found the tests a doddle, the younger cherryade swillers paniked.We also have to deal with loads of unncecessary paperwork and additional things from our dear-leader. According to the weather forecast, the temperatures should rise next week by a few degrees celcius. I'll believe it when I see it.

Klaipeda II

Klaipeda is Lithuania's third-largest city with a population of around 200,000. It is also an important port of the Baltic Sea. Although it has a small old town square and the historic port, there is not a lot to see. However, it is a good place to see the breathtaking Curonian Spit.

Klaipeda and the West Coast

This weekend is another bank holiday independence weekend. March 11th is Lithuania's new independence day which celebrates it independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. Like the 1918 independence day, the streets are lit up with the display of Lithuanian flags everywhere. In Gedimino square, people brace the sub-zero temperatures to watch a free festival of Lithuanian music and speakers. On one of the main TV stations, there is a hot political debate on how the Soviet Union broke up.
We decided to get away from the chaos and cold of the city to the coast where it is at least 1degree warmer than it is inland. We decided to head off to a place called Palanga, which is Lithuania's seaside party town. However, at this time of year, it is not the case. During the winter, most places are closed or boarded up. The daytime sees a fair amount of people who come to check out floating icebergs, eat hot waffles on lollipop sticks or to ski on the beach. In the evening, Palanga is a ghost town as people flock elsewhere for their fun. That said, it is worth bracing the biting windchill to check out the breathtaking western sunsets.
The nightlife in Palanga at this time of year is disappointingly dead as most restaurants are closed and the streets are empty. On the main street, one can hear a pin drop.

Lithuania and Tolerance

One of my classes is situated in the Social Ministry where I teach one guy on a one-to-one basis. My job involves the discussion of the social problems Lithuania faces as a part of the 'new Europe.' One of the major problems that Lithuania faces is the growing intolerant attitudes towards minorities in the conutry. According to a report, , anti-semitism, racism and homophobia has increased since Lithuania joined the EU in 2004. The report compared people's attitudes towards minorities in the early 1990s when the Soviet Union collapsed. It also cays that this could jeopardise Lithuania's place in the European Union.
For further info, check out
http://www.baltictimes.com/lithuania.php

St.Casimir's Bazaar

March 4th is St.Casimir's Day - the Patron sain of Vilnius who was born in 1458 and died at the 'ripe' old age of 26. For many years, Vilnius has held an event which sees local craftsmen gather to sell their products. Despite the disapproval of this religious festival from the Communists, the festival continued throughout the Soviet period. However, its religious association was toned down.
The main part of the event was held on Gedimino Street, but the whole of the old town saw local tradesmen sell their stuff. It is most certainly worth getting away from the main street, Gedimino, as it is overcrowded and many stalls are somewhat tacky. The best part of the market is around Uzupis where you can see traditional blacksmiths and wood carvers in action. If you come and visit, check out hot waffles on lollipop sticks.