We have
arrived! After a train ride to Berlin, Charlie and I stayed the night with
Franzi where we rested up after carting FAR too much luggage across half of
Europe (what can I say winter clothes are big and heavy! Right?!). Franzi and I
had a nice dinner while we caught up, and the next morning took Charlie on a
long walk and had brunch before heading to the bus station where we boarded my
bus to Vilnius….18 hours!! I want to take a moment here to congratulate Mr.
Charlie Pants. Upon purchasing my bus ticket I didn’t realize that he was not actually allowed on this particular bus
line. I only discovered this information as I was printing my ticket the day
before…oops. So poor Mr. Bean had to be smuggled 18 hours under my seat in his
tiny box, and I’ll be damned but the little guy didn’t make a peep the whole
time! Way to go Bean! You are so clearly born to be my loyal traveling companion!!
Our
overnight bus ride took us directly across Poland and I found myself wishing it
were daytime so I could better admire the scenery. The full moon lit up the
surrounding area so spectacularly it only made me hunger for more. The dark
landscape was stunning even along the highway and inspired me, since I was so
close in Lithuania, to get my butt back for a visit to Poland! And so I
shall…at some point.
Upon
arriving in Vilnius, Charlie and I were met by Cagri our new roommate. Cagri is
from Turkey and also a student here at Vilnius University in the department of
Economics. Lucky for all of us, he and Charlie get along famously. I think it
was love at first sight because now half the time Charlie prefers to nap on
Cagri’s bed instead of mine! Traitor!!
I wont lie, the first few days in
my new city were a bit of a shock. Vilnius is much bigger and more city like
than Groningen and much much colder! Luckily Miriam joined me a few days later
and it was great to see a friendly face. We started exploring our exotic new
home by taking a walking tour of the city, which was very cool although we
ended the tour 2 hours later as human popsicles. 
The day after the tour we took
a trip to a nearby town where there is a medium size castle called Trakai. It
was pretty cute although the weather was less than desirable and we spent most
of the time trying to keep warm! Stupid wind!
Anyway, the following week we
started classes and I was able to meet all of my new colleagues. Again we are a
very diverse group, which is wonderful! Together our cultures span the globe
from Spain, Ecuador, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Denmark, Austria, Lithuania, Belarus
and even another American from Wisconsin! Yahoo!
After a bit of acclimatizing, I
find I am settling in nicely here. I was able to join a gym nearby my apartment
and with the extensive help of my wonderful roommate was able to find my way
around the city, our neighborhood, the bus routes and university campus fairly
quickly. Thank you so much Cagri! I would totally lost without you! :D
Also I have found a market where I
can get my groceries! It’s a bit far but is worth it due to cheap prices, and
well you know me, I just LOVE markets. 
I
also found a place through the university where I can continue taking Chinese
classes! Very cool! AND last Monday Lithuania celebrated its Independence day and
the whole city was filled with bustling people and even a parade and concert,
which I did not attend but was happy to experience a holiday so soon here. :)
The only downside so far that I
have discovered, is Lithuanian food (and Eastern European food in general I’m
told) is very heavy, greasy, meaty and mostly smothered in sour cream…yeah, not
my fav. But of course I will make a point to try a few traditional non-meaty
items such as beet soup with potato, Cepillini with mushroom and Gria…Ill let
you know how it goes….
There is a statue of a woman on the
river here, which runs along the city. It looks like her dress and hair are
blowing in the wind and her arms are raised and spread wide with a lantern in
one hand. She looks as if she is welcoming the entire world to Vilnius and so far
is my favorite monument probably ever. On rare occasions when the sun is out,
she appears to welcome that too, or the clouds, or the rain, or the wind or
anything passing through the busy city. Almost everyday my bus route takes me
by her and although I am not sure why, she warms my heart and makes me glad I’m
here…no matter how may layers of clothing I have to put on before leaving the
house. Wish me luck!
On a totally non-related note, I
want to congratulate my amazing little brother on buying himself his first
airplane!!! So cool!! You rock Spud and I am always amazed by how much you
inspire me!! You make me such a proud sister haha but please be safe! Also, not
too long ago I wrote an article for a women’s travel magazine called Pink Pangea and it was published
last month. It is about train car segregation in India and if you are
interested in reading it, here is the link:
Well I think that is all for now!
Stay tuned until next time and please email me and let me know what you are all
up to in your lives as well so I don’t feel so out of the loop! J Love and miss you all
xoxo
