When in Lithuania.....

I never saw myself up at 5 am to watch a Lithuanian sunrise. Unfortunately, it is not by choice and my racing mind was not able to stay asleep until the 7:45 wake up call. But hey, how can I complain….yesterday I was in Newark, and today my orange juice is poured in Lithuania…..I sure hope they have orange juice!

Well, we finally made it; at least 23 of 41 have as far as I know. (The rest are on their way) Our journey began at the Newark airport yesterday in which 23 students, mostly of Messiah, embarked on a journey that is supposed to last 10 weeks and consists of tromping around Europe. I say supposed, since I do not believe that it has actually hit yet. As usually, our travels were long, adventurous and packed with new acquaintances…lets just say the man next to me on the 7 hr leg to Copenhagen was the VP of a plane engine manufacture and had a thick polish accent which masked the shear idea of his presence in Connecticut for the past 40 years. No sleep and 7 hours later I find out his hobbies include his interest in his small production winery, a honey bee farm which he was inspired by his father to have, and his big hunt adventures through the barrens of Canada, Idaho and Colorado. Somehow, I meet the most interesting or at least talkative type.

These adventures always consist of at least one or two flight attendants as well. This time, a lovely middle-aged Danish women with adventures of Asian travel, famous movie stars, and a three day date with Alex Baldwin….If you come across this blog Alex…..yes, I found your Danish Delight….raspberry and cheese filled.

We continued from Copenhagen to Vilnius, Lithuania to be eagerly greeted by our Director, professor and friend Dr. LaFrance, who has been ready for us I am sure…..well, maybe not all of us….but he was ready anyway. After about a 2 hour walking tour through Lithuania….a country rich in Communist remnants, old European city feel and the “First, Biggest and oldest” in everything.

How can every country I go to have the “First, Biggest and oldest” in everything??? Well, anyways….

By the time dinner and a lovely night stroll through down town Vilnius, we were ready to hot the showers and off to bed….which leads me to now….wide awake and counting down to the start of a busy day. US Embassy visit, orientation, class, and a “fancy dinner,” I am told we are jumping in head first whether we want to or not.

Regardless, I am ready and excited for a nonstop, road trip-esc, and adventurous journey….one in which the stories have already begun…..from our thick accent Lithuanian tour guide alerting us that she has “Already seen, two times, Gypsie Albanian family pass us…please park your things. Be careful.” (I had no idea what I was looking for, but I didn’t see any scarves, tambourines or carriage carts…) to a private tour in a Catholic Cathedral which led us to opening a gate to enter the underground catacombs to be pleasantly greeted by about 40 young kids running out of the underground layer….Great.

Until we meet again….Zai Jian (Goodbye in Chinese).