Archives – December, 2008
The parliamentary and presidential elections in Lithuania are far less colorful affairs then they are in the United States. There are no primaries, presidential debates, national conventions or celebrity endorsements. In the weeks up to the parliamentary election this year, posters appeared on empty walls, and occasionally an interview would be given by one of the candidates on Lithuanian National Television (LTV). I didn’t even realize it was an election year until the magazine I work for did a parody of some of the popular parties and their posters…
Continue December 11, 2008
As a ski racer, it was not uncommon to meet Olympians. It’s just that kind of sport, easy access to the athletes. I raced against Olympic team members, US and otherwise, as a junior. I even rode up the chair lift with Kjetil Andre Aamodt (a skiing legend from Norway) in Aspen – and spoke to him in Norwegian! It’s something different entirely though when you get the chance to not only meet but hang out with an Olympic star from another sport. So, while it was incredibly exciting to have dinner with the entire Austrian men’s ski team in Vail, that was nothing compared to the honor of being accompanied by Gintas Umaras during a road ride just a few days before the Olympic torch reached Beijing…
Continue December 11, 2008
I’ll be the first to admit that my experience in Lithuania is not as “Lithuanian” as it could be. I’m usually out of town on the major holidays, I don’t watch Lithuanian television, and in this ever-more cosmopolitan city of Vilnius I surround myself with a circle of friends made up of an international group of ex-pats, with only a few Lithuanians thrown into the mix, most of whom have recently returned from living abroad themselves. Saturday mornings are often spent sipping lattes and eating ham and cheese crêpes (covered in sour cream of course) at a café on Pilies g. in the senamiestis (old town). This week though, I did one of the most “Lithuanian” things I’ve ever done: I went to the hospital…
Continue December 11, 2008
Every year (for the last four years) the International Women’s Association of Vilnius hosts their annual Christmas Charity Bazaar. The halls of the Rotusė are filled with booths representing countries like Kazakhstan, Belarus, Austria, France and Poland…
Continue December 9, 2008
Ok first, I’m talking about European football, as in soccer. You know, the game where they actually use their feet to move the ball around the field…
In 2006, just a few weeks after France lost the World Cup to Italy (Boo!) they came to Kaunas to play Lithuania’s best in a EuroCup qualifier (Zizou was already retired unfortunately). I have to say, I was impressed how well Lithuania held it’s own in S.Darius and S. Gireno stadium… the score was 0-0 until the 75th minute when France finally got on the board. They scored again just before the end leaving it 2-0. Still, I had expected it to be worse. Allez les verts!
December 8, 2008
Partying in the car on the way from Vilnius to Klaipeda has always been expected behavior. But, traveler’s beware, as of October 1st, 2007, it is NO LONGER LEGAL to have open alcohol containers in a moving vehicle. If pulled over, you’re likely to be in some serious trouble!
And, in case you don’t already know this, the drinking and driving laws are just as strict in Lithuania as in the rest of Europe. So, be careful, pick a designated driver, and party when you get there – not on the way!
December 8, 2008
One thing that never ceases to amuse, annoy, sometimes sadden, and often frustrate me is the availability and implementation (or lack there of) of technology in Lithuania. Day to day life bounces back and forth between the two extremes of fully-automated, and writing everything down by hand…
Continue December 7, 2008
In the United States, they celebrate the coming of spring by standing around all day waiting for a rodent to stick his head out of the snow. In Lithuania, they burn giant girls made of straw. At the Ethnographical Museum in Rumšiškės near Kaunas, Užgavenis (Shrove Tuesday) is celebrated the Sunday before with a very pagan arts and crafts festival, music, and food…
Continue December 7, 2008
Despite the immanent threat of global warming summer came late to Lithuania, and in mid-August has already begun to show signs of leaving early. We have had hot mornings and breezy afternoons, a healthy portion of humidity for lunch and a hail storm with a side of rainbow for dinner. The month of August in Lithuania has been nothing more than a meteorological rollercoaster! It’s difficult to know what to wear, but if you don’t like the weather, at least it’s not around for long. Just don’t leave the house without an umbrella…
Continue December 7, 2008
One of the greatest benefits of living in Lithuania is being able to leave it once in a while. Though our own airline, FlyLAL (formerly Lietuvos Avialinjos), is struggling, Latvia’s Air Baltic* is adding new routes every month direct from Vilnius. With frequent internet specials, Lithuanian residents can fly direct to Odessa, Tel Aviv, Rome, Malaga, Stockholm or St. Petersburg, if you can get a Russian visa in time. For any destinations not serviced by Air Baltic, Czech Airlines, the only airline to still serve meals on their flights, offers convenient connections via Prague. With rain predicted for the weekend of Joninės (St. John’s Day), I flew to Zagreb…
Continue December 7, 2008
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