A Place to Call Home

It's been almost three weeks since I arrived in my new home of Vilnius, Lithuania and in those three weeks it really has become just that... home. We came at the perfect time of year. The weather is marvelous, the flowers are blooming, and the culture is thriving. Day by day it gets warmer here and with the heat comes summer rain. And not just any rain, down pouring thunderstorms that make you want to run outside and dance until you're soaked. With how much it rains I'm not at all surprised by how green and lush everything is here. My walk to and from school, and everywhere else for that matter, is gorgeous. Dandelions nearly cover all of the grass and never would I have thought them to be more pretty.

On Monday I received my first letter abroad! So exciting! I love getting mail, and the fact that I'm getting it in another country makes it all the more fantastic! On our walk home from school a guy with a handful of tulips stopped Emma and I and after attempting, but failing, to have a conversation with us in Lithuanian handed us each a tulip and headed on his way. You could say we like these European men and that I had a really great Monday.

 

Dandelions, they're everywhere! And they're so pretty

My walk home from school... love it!

 

 

 

I feel as though I'm starting to get into routine here. My mornings are relaxed, filled with sleeping in, running, Russian lessons, training meetings, laundry, trips to the grocery store, or reading. In the afternoon/evening we're at school; preparing, teaching, and cleaning up lessons, spending time with these mostly adorable, sometimes tiring, Lithuanian munchkins. Then we come home and enjoy a few hours with our host family around the dinner table, sipping tea and eating pastries, before heading to bed to start all over again. I love it... every bit of it. I couldn't have asked for a better group of teachers, native coordinator, or host family. They're all so wonderful and they truly make me feel at home.

Weekends are where the real adventure happens. This weekend we made the trek to the Trakai Castle and then later on to the Street Musicians Festival in Old Town. Emma and I also went to an indoor water park with a student's family that was like Raging Waters on steroids. Who would have thought you could find something like that in Lithuania? It was a lot of fun and I was worn out from all of our fun by the end of each day.

Welcome to Trakai Castle

Trakai, also known as the "town of lakes", was once the capital of Vilnius. The Trakai Island Castle is surrounded by water on all sides and you have to cross a bridge to get there. It was constructed in 1410 and through the years served as a defense fortress, a residence for the Grand Dukes, and a prison.

Dima... making absolutely every picture he's in fantastic!

 



Exactly what I pictured the inside of the castle walls to look like.

We took a "yacht" around the castle to see it from every angle. This is Luiza sitting next to me. She's a girl we met at church who was kind enough to show us around Trakai and later Old Town. We love her!



There were lots of people out on the water; sailing, kayaking, etc.

 



Today Trakai Island Castle is a place of tourism (obviously), but it's also very popular for concerts, events, and festivals. Our host mom, Jolita, and her husband spent their wedding day here. He carried her across the bridge to the castle after they were married. Such fun traditions they have in Lithuania!

Gorgeous place!

After exploring the castle, Dima and a student's family took us to a nearby campground and made us shish kabobs for lunch. They were really really good and the area was so pretty. It was right on the lake and you could still see the castle from where we were.

When we got home from our day exploring Trakai, Luzia took us girls into Old Town for the Street Musicians Festival. This festival takes place in May every year and it's a way of uniting the city with music playing in the streets. I had a great time, listening to all the music and exploring the streets of Old Town some more. Perfect ending to the perfect day.

 

 

I love the narrow streets and cobblestone roads.

The Bell Tower at night

 

Feeling a little beat after a long day of being tourists.

Such a fun day, I can't wait to explore some more!



 

Lots of love from Lithuania!