“Why Lithuania?”

We got that question a lot as we prepared for this trip. And the general sense of our answers was either “We’ll find out!” or the Mt. Everest of tourism – “Because it’s there!” We didn’t know much about the country apart from our research, and there are no world-known sights like the Eiffel Tower or the Roman Coliseum. But it’s in Europe, and Mer wants to see all of Europe, so we were going.

I’m very glad we came. It’s a pretty country with friendly people. While it lacks Alps or cliffs, it does have wonderfully explorable Old Towns in a couple of cities, and while the Curonian Spit isn’t widely famous, it should be. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

Some general reflections of the country that didn’t fit in the other 21,000 words I wrote.
The people are bend-over-backwards friendly. I only had one “meh” interaction in two weeks, and that was with a cashier at very close to closing time. She was probably tired. We had wonderful interactions with waitstaff, from the waiter in the manor house in Kretinga who didn’t know much English but was trying very hard, to a charming waitress named Gabija (“Gabby”) whom we met at breakfast this morning. She wanted to ask us about the US, and she has promised to e-mail us a list of things to see in Lithuania. Museum guides followed us around to make sure lights were on and to point the way to the next room. Great people.

The roads are excellent. After a trip to Cornwall last summer and a couple of trips to Ireland last year, it was good to have wide roads. I still don’t always understand the signs as I’m driving, but we made do. Electric scooters are common here, and not just rental ones. People own electric scooters to get around on in the dedicated bike lanes in almost every town.

I’m pleased that American culture hasn’t wiped out local cultures. As much as I love American culture, it’s eye-opening to see how people think differently, and the difficulties of trying to figure out local customs always make me relax more when I get home. One great example – the light switches for bathrooms are on the outside here for every bathroom. Normal Matt interaction with a bathroom: Matt walks up to the bathroom door and pulls on the push door. Matt worries it might be locked and doesn’t want to be the impatient-rattle-guy. Matt gently pushes on the door. The room is dark. Matt instinctively looks down and then remembers the switch is outside the door. Matt takes two steps back (in more than one way) and flips the switch. Nothing. Still dark. Flick. Flick. Nothing. Flick, flick, flick. Sudden dawning that Matt is turning the lobby light on and off as the staff hurries over to help the clueless tourist. (This actually happened.)

Lithuanians now hold my spot for the number-one outdoor-loving people, displacing the long-reigning Austrians. Every little town has multiple parklands with trails. There is outdoor sculpture everywhere. Extensive playgrounds for kids and ball fields of several kinds are in many parks. And, new to me, there is outdoor workout equipment in many parks as well, even in towns of just 4500 people. Maybe it’s the long winter season, but Lithuanians love being outside.

A coming fashion watch to keep an eye on – there was a surprising number of women who had very long hair. Hair down to the waist was something we saw every day (not on every woman, obviously), and one woman had hair that came down to her knees. It will be interesting to me to see if that spreads to the US over the next couple of years.

Once in a hot air balloon is enough. Done that.

Food, even familiar food, tastes different. That is always the case in another culture – I’ve even seen that as close to home as Canada. It’s good thing to try, and a source of great comfort to get back to my favorite foods when I get home.

Mer and I think that Lithuania is the love-child of Maine and Ohio. Of what we saw, the country is pretty flat, like Ohio, but the coast often reminded me of Maine (except it lacked the numerous small islands). Pine trees grow everywhere here, and that felt like my erstwhile home as well.

I didn’t see many reminders of Soviet rule, which is as it maybe should be, since Lithuania got its freedom over thirty years ago. Many buildings are new, and people seem happy and thriving. There are still Communist-era buildings about, but more and more newer structures are going up.

The main odd thing that struck me was the lack of people in tourist places we went. We were often alone or nearly alone in museums, and even some restaurants. I hope that changes for Lithuania – it seems an especially attractive place to come to from other places in Europe. And while I would probably direct new-to-Europe travelers from the United States to London, Rome, Paris, or Ireland, Lithuania is a worthy place to come for people looking for a more intimate European experience. So, why Lithuania? Because it’s here. And you should go.