This has been another warm over 20C day. Just short shirt sleeves. Nothing else
needed that's for sure.
Breakfast was delivered as promised at the time (8am) I suggested. Three slices
of brown rye bread, three tiny slices of salami and equally small blocks of
cheese. Together with a boiled egg which was still hot, orange juice and
plunger coffee in a thermo cup.
I had slept well making up, I guess for the very long previous day. It seemed
even longer because Lithuania is and extra hour ahead on Poland, so now two
hours ahead of UK time.
I spent quite a bit of the morning standing in the stair well working on my
computer. I can not get wifi in my room but it is good on the stairs. Actually
I can pick up the hotel across the road though.
I was trying to get my phone credit recharged but was having problems with
paypal. It worked ok last time I used it to buy the SIM card but now it is not.
Also I can only get texts inwards and can not send which may be because my
credit is low, if not then there is another problem.
When I did get out and going I intended to visit a famous castle 30 km out from
town. However I did quite a long bit of sightseeing on the way to the bus
station. There I checked my castle details and discovered that the week end
hours finished at 3pm. That made it just not worth going today. Perhaps I'll
get going earlier tomorrow and see it then. I think it will be worth the
effort.
Wandering back from the bus station I went under an archway. Through a window in
the arch it is possible to see the original painting of the Madonna and Child,
copies of which seemed to be in every Polish church I went into. I did consider
going in on the way to the bus but the crowds were too great. This time however,
no queue so I headed in and along the stairway, but realised I could hear a mass
in progress. So out I went and true looking up I could see and hear the priest
in action.
Once the Mass had finished, a miracle occurred (just joking) but all the tour
guides suddenly appeared again with their followers. So I gave it a miss.
Other churches visited today and there have been several I can tell you were:
A small Orthodox church (no photography) where all the walls were covered with
murals. Just what you would really like to photograph.
A large Jesuit Church. High roofed, white walls, cool bright and airy. Organ
music filled the church but I suspect it was a recording because when I turned
to look up at the organ I found it had a clear plastic cover draped over it.
This church has changed hands between various groups over the centuries but now
the Jesuits have it back. Like, it seems, most of the churches, it has
undergone alterations to suit whoever had control of it at the time.
I went into another church were a small gathering were having a Christening I
suspect.
The huge cathedral in the main square had a service going on but as plenty of
folk including a robed priest were rushing around taking video and flash
photos, I had no problems taking a bit myself. In the front rows of pews were
young children all clothed in white robes and holding candles. The girls had
woven floral head bands. I assumed it was a confirmation service which had to
be something special for everyone there.
The final church I saw – well I think it was- was actually undergoing repairs
and renovation so it looked pretty run down and uninviting.Photogenic though
– sort of. Perhaps that is why the groups still came in.
I made my way up to the rotunda on a hill top but that too was undergoing
extensive renovation. Actually I would say a rebuild as there was not much of
it left after the war. So I carried on down a hillside and made my way back
alongside a river. Not that large but it had cooling trees along its banks.
Rather than go into yet another church I crossed a bridge and wandered along
the road knowing that it would come to a small square and then allow me to loop
back across the river. This bridge was the Bridge of Locks. And it had plenty
most engraved with a couple of names. The idea is that a bride puts a padlock
here to ensure her husband remains true and close to her. That's what the guide
book said.
I carried on into a large park with tall trees and uncut grass areas, covered in
dandelion flowers and seed heads. Lots of people were out walking or just siting
enjoying the day or each other as the case may be.
I made my way around to the funicular which was like a lift running up the side
of the hill to the old castle tower. Not much evidence remains of the actual
castle but the tower has been restored. There was a great view over the city
from the top. Including the dominating Soviet built TV tower on the skyline –
looked a bit like Prague's one, and Berlin's one too.
Within the tower there were several floors each with small displays relating to
the history of the tower. What moved me was the display about 1989. In that
year, as a mark of defiance against the Soviet occupiers, the people of
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia formed a long continuous line between Vilnius and
Tallinn. Just a line of people holding hands running for over 600kms. So many
peopl;e turned up to take part that Vilnius had its first ever traffic
blockage. People who could not get space in the line form branches. Over one
million people participated. I thought that wss really moving.
They also celebrated the time in 2008 when 30 or more Lithuanian communities
around the world all linked up to sing the national song at the very same time.
So that all around the world the national song was being sung and heard. The
first time any national song has had this happen. They had a DVD going with
clips of the groups joined together to play as a continuous singing of the
song.
O and I had an ice cream 1LTT = about NZ 50cents. I had a ice cream cone but
instead of it being rolled specially, it was there in a tinfoil wrapper from
the factory just like any other ice cream would be in NZ.
Weddings. Yes it's Saturday and wedding day.
Bride being photographed down and old narrow alleyway against a, old s
door with character.
Bride and groom being photographed in a old rundown archway to back yards
behind. I noticed the photographer stood a distance back and used a long lens
which would fore shorten the distance between the bride and groom and the mess
behind them.
Another wedding turned up to pose in front of a column with an angel on top.
Just as they were carefully posed, an old man shuffled out of the alleyway just
used and walked slowing right through the posed wedding party set up. I think he
could have being making a statement.
This was a very large wedding party with about eight bridesmaids.
Round the corner another party was walking to the column. Along the road a bit
more at the Bridge of Locks the group was posed across the road and the
photographer was getting them ready to do the let's all jump up shot. I
remember a similar photo in St Petersberg. And I am sure I saw another bride or
two during the day. I am sure they were all very happy about the lovely weather
today.
A wander along the street again. Lots of people were out but not as many as I
would have expected for a Saturday evening and certainly, nothing like last
night's crowds.
I do feel stiff and have tired feet – oh dear!
I can get the BBC as it has a local FM relay that my mp3 player has located.
Fashion note: Jeans are very popular here for women even though several label
shops have stores here.
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