Day 1 in Vilnius, Lithuania

So today I arrived in Vilnius Lithuania. So far I have a good impression of the city and everything seems to be going well. I arrived at 10.30am and took the bus into the city centre. I got kind of lost because the bus route online was completely different. So I opened google maps and tried to track the bus (using my hostel as the destination). I got off a stop late and ended up walking for 20 minutes to the hostel.

The hostel staff were nice and they let me check in a few hours early. It seems that I have the room to myself, because January is not a favourable time to travel to northern Europe.

I went out to explore the old town, which has many streets lined with market stalls. Most of them are selling wool socks, scarfs, slippers, and amber. I bought some thick wool slippers from a cute old lady, and an amber bracelet from another woman.

Then I decided to get some food at a Lithuanian restaurant. I tried cepelinai which are dumplings filled with minced pork. The dumplings feel like stick play dough...it's a very weird texture but they are VERY filling. After washing my meal down with beer, I went to the main square and took some photos with the cathedral. My intention was to climb the hill to Gedeminas castle nearby, but it was so cold and windy so I decided not to.

Then I did a long walk to the museum of occupation. It was €4 to enter which is very cheap considering that I was there for 2 hours. It wasn't very interactive...just loys of paragraphs of writings. The best bit was the actual prison area in the basement.

It's very cold in Vilnius but not unbearable. The people are very polite, and even most old people speak English. I was shocked because in Poland generally only the young people speak English.

I am looking forward to visiting the bohemian republic of Užupis tomorrow.

Good night.Read more