Vilnius, stop-over to Saint Petersbourg
Trip Start
Apr 27, 2007
1
21
164
Trip End
Jul 15, 2009
Friday morning, I wake up early to go to Vilnius. I quite don't know yet whether I'll be hhing or would rather take a train, at least to the border.
But I feel like giving it a try. So, I take a bus that leads me outside of the city, on the road to Lithuania through Augustow (avoiding the one through Bielorussia as I don't have a visa for that!).
In any case, I still can grab a bus back to the railway station and take the 10:05 train.
But neither bus nor train is needed as I wait less than 20 min before a Slovenian truck pulls over. The driver is Lithuanian actually.
In English, Polish and a bit of German, we manage to have conversation
He only goes to Kaunas (I just say it so that you check where it is!) but instead of dropping me on any side of a dodgy road, he makes a real cool thing! He calls for any driver heading to Vilnius by his CB.
So, we pull over at a patrol station and I just have to jump from one truck to another! So easy!! :))
This new driver is nice! But he speaks Lithuanian, Russian and German. I can't really help! And I don't feel like spending much energy on being inventive onto universal language. So we don't speak much.
He drops me in the outskirts of Vilnius, at a supermarket. I'm lucky coze I'm starving and this way, I'll be able to complete the bread and cheese I've got remaining from Warsaw! :)
After being a few things, I seat down under the shade and am greeted a good meal by people passing by. Nice attitude from these Lithuanian people who give me a slight impression of being somewhat more easygoing than Poles. But who can know within 2h time?
This meal is even luxury as I've got apple pie for dessert
Time to move on and make it for the center. I stick up my thumb again and I wait for... 3 cars! Today is definitely my day! :)
I'm taken by a very friendly english speaking guy who even get out of his way to drop me at the very center. Maybe I'm lucky it's Friday and people are in a good mood but still, this guy is really nice with me!!
Quickly after being dropped, I met Marija, the HC member who's going to host me. We go at her place, I drop my stuff, have a shower, grab my camera and set off back to the center. Alone this time as Marija goes out to meet up with some mates of hers.
I don't know if it's because that's kind of the first city of the trip I really get to know but Vilnius gives me a great impression. It's gorgeous! Moreover, everything is net, it looks quite rich, has impressive cars. I was not expecting this!
Moreover, there is quite a certain toursit business here! But I see no internet cafes, no kebab, no starbucks and so on. Would Vilnius officially fight against any globalisation?
Another point: I reckon it's the first time I get this upnorth! And getting closer to the equinox, the sun takes a lot of time to set. So guess what? :) I had a great time taking a lot of photos! :))
And I carry on having this positive impression about the easiness of people. But maybe this is made by the tremendous weather and Friday night effect. Still, a Friday night here has got nothing to see with a Friday night in Coventry! :))
Here you go!!!
Sorry but I won't traduce it in French now. I feel like going and don't want to take the time for it. Sorry about that!
I thank you for keeping reading me! I just allow me to remind you it's just the beginning! :)
So, take care you all! Catch you soon.
But I feel like giving it a try. So, I take a bus that leads me outside of the city, on the road to Lithuania through Augustow (avoiding the one through Bielorussia as I don't have a visa for that!).
In any case, I still can grab a bus back to the railway station and take the 10:05 train.
But neither bus nor train is needed as I wait less than 20 min before a Slovenian truck pulls over. The driver is Lithuanian actually.
In English, Polish and a bit of German, we manage to have conversation
01- Vilnius
. Well, at least to share some general information about where we're from and where we're going. And a bit more fortunately! :)He only goes to Kaunas (I just say it so that you check where it is!) but instead of dropping me on any side of a dodgy road, he makes a real cool thing! He calls for any driver heading to Vilnius by his CB.
So, we pull over at a patrol station and I just have to jump from one truck to another! So easy!! :))
This new driver is nice! But he speaks Lithuanian, Russian and German. I can't really help! And I don't feel like spending much energy on being inventive onto universal language. So we don't speak much.
He drops me in the outskirts of Vilnius, at a supermarket. I'm lucky coze I'm starving and this way, I'll be able to complete the bread and cheese I've got remaining from Warsaw! :)
After being a few things, I seat down under the shade and am greeted a good meal by people passing by. Nice attitude from these Lithuanian people who give me a slight impression of being somewhat more easygoing than Poles. But who can know within 2h time?
This meal is even luxury as I've got apple pie for dessert
02-
! Thanks Agata! :)Time to move on and make it for the center. I stick up my thumb again and I wait for... 3 cars! Today is definitely my day! :)
I'm taken by a very friendly english speaking guy who even get out of his way to drop me at the very center. Maybe I'm lucky it's Friday and people are in a good mood but still, this guy is really nice with me!!
Quickly after being dropped, I met Marija, the HC member who's going to host me. We go at her place, I drop my stuff, have a shower, grab my camera and set off back to the center. Alone this time as Marija goes out to meet up with some mates of hers.
I don't know if it's because that's kind of the first city of the trip I really get to know but Vilnius gives me a great impression. It's gorgeous! Moreover, everything is net, it looks quite rich, has impressive cars. I was not expecting this!
Moreover, there is quite a certain toursit business here! But I see no internet cafes, no kebab, no starbucks and so on. Would Vilnius officially fight against any globalisation?
03- A bar with seat made from recycled tyres! :)
! :)Another point: I reckon it's the first time I get this upnorth! And getting closer to the equinox, the sun takes a lot of time to set. So guess what? :) I had a great time taking a lot of photos! :))
And I carry on having this positive impression about the easiness of people. But maybe this is made by the tremendous weather and Friday night effect. Still, a Friday night here has got nothing to see with a Friday night in Coventry! :))
Here you go!!!
Sorry but I won't traduce it in French now. I feel like going and don't want to take the time for it. Sorry about that!
I thank you for keeping reading me! I just allow me to remind you it's just the beginning! :)
So, take care you all! Catch you soon.


Comments
wow wow
Hi my lucky monkey,
You seem lucky and happy and that makes me happy too.
I am fascinated more than ever about your trip and admire your experiences to come, in another words, I want to be in your shoes. (not physically huh!)
Please eat well and remember to drink plenty of water. I am writing you an e-mail about China.
Big kiss,
Nn thinking of you a lot