Among the Baltic states, Lithuania seemed the least similar to Western Europe. Many parts of the country are still devoid of western influence. My hostel happened to be in a residential district and it gave me the chance to see some of the local life in the area. After getting a facelift in 2003, the city center in Vilnius looks like any other busy European promenade. The residential areas however bear a striking resemblance to Asian suburbs, especially those in Mumbai, India. Lithuania has been a role model of sorts in the region. It was the first country to take a bold step and declare itself an independent state, freeing itself from the agonizing grip of Soviet communism. Its other claim to fame is that it was within a basket of beating the US Dream Team at the Athens Olympics.
Vilnius itself, is a rather small city and most of the attractions are centered around Old Town. I took a hike up to Gedominas Castle, where you can get some good views of the city.
Vilnius Financial District
View from Gedominas Castle
Vodka is everywhere in this country. The brand marketing gurus figured out that to sell anything, you need to add some “vodka” to it. So, even water is now sold in vodka bottles ! These are made of glass and are quite cumbersome to carry. I doubt they would sell elsewhere, but here they seem to be disappearing off the shelves.
Trakai
Trakai is a quant little town about 30 kms west of Vilnius. In the 1400’s, the king brought some 380 “Karaites” families(rare middle eastern sect) from Crimea to serve as bodyguards. Today only 63 of these families remain in Trakai. These people have been guarding the Island Castle, which is Trakai’s big tourist draw. The castle is very picturesque and on a sunny day, can be a photographer’s delight. I wished I had a better camera, but I went berserk anyway, shooting many pictures of the castle view. I settled in a restaurant on the other side of the river with a perfect view, was clicking away, sipping a latte and reading a book. Oh, joyful times.
Inside the castle, for a small fee, they give you some archery classes and teach you how to aim.
Vilnius is also home to Uzupius Republic ( a district that calls itself a country) and the KGB Museum. Both of these were intriguing and I’ll write about them in a separate post.
More photos are on flickr. Click on this picture.
Characters
My hostel could not be described as social, so I had to venture out to meet some folks.
Raj Choudhary
One of the best things about soccer, is that it is a loved sport all over the world. And it has been a great avenue to make friends. Vilnius was no different. On my way back to the hostel, I saw a few people playing soccer near the city square. I went by and couldn’t resist playing. So I did. Turns out that these folks were waiters at a nearby Indian Restaurant. After an hour of soccer and much needed exercise I headed home. The next day, I visited the restaurant called Sue’s Indian Raja. For being in Vilnius the food was exceptionally good and service was lightning quick. Anything I ordered (starters, mains) arrived within five minutes. The owner Raj Choudhary is a retired Wing Commander from the Indian Air Force. He is married to a Lithuanian lady and is settled in Vilnius. I later learnt that he has a chain of Indian restaurants in the Baltics.
What’s interesting is that the restaurant also serves as the Indian Consulate in Lithuania. Mr. Raj has a framed letter from the President of India appointing him as the Indian Consulate General for Lithuania.I am quite sure, I will never see two boards like this in such close proximity again.
Indian Software Engineers !
Had I seen them anywhere else, I would not have been surprised. But here, in Lithuania? On two separate occasions I ran into a group of Indians on the streets. They were working for IFlex in Bangalore and are currently on an assignment for the SEB bank. Russell Peters was not joking. Sooner, rather than later, we are going to take over the world !
4 Comments
Dude, pleasure reading your blog! Just read the first one now.. will come back for more!
Heyy that pic of (coffee/hot chocolate ?) is AWESOME. Probably the best pic you have taken
Hey Bharat - did you skip my home town, Kaunas?! I hope you had a great time in Lithuania!
Nerija
Hi,
it’s very pleasure to hear from foreigners what they like our country and especially when they can say clearly why do they like it.
I have just made a little research for my blog about what do people who come to Lithuania think about it. And made list of links to the blog entries which are the most interesting and comprehensive. Including your blog.
http://baobabus.spaces.live.com/blog/
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