This week marks my last in Lithuania and I have yet to discuss any of my adventures here. My days have been incredibly busy as we tour various areas after work- visiting churches, museums and castles (oh and spending the weekends in other countries or on the coast). It has been a whirlwind of activity to say the least. Today I will attempt to start a small series of posts of my travel thus far within Lithuania.

I can’t quite explain what I expected upon arrival, but it was not this. It could have been due to exhaustion from prior travels, it could have been thousands of other reasons, but I arrived and was shocked. I allowed myself to be swallowed by all my doubts, worries and vivid imagination once I was at the dorm. The common rooms were stark and the dull paint glared down while you attempted to get the only wifi access available. The showers were deep within the basement (luckily there was a toilet in our room). Promptly at midnight all lights in the entire building go out. So, that night I went to bed exhausted and consumed with a nervous energy.

My bedroom in the dorm.

The common room.

Experience is just that – you live, you learn and you try new things. It was the following morning after my arrival that I decided to push out all the negative thoughts and embrace this experience fully. I was determined to have the most enjoyable time in Lithuania and have easily managed it. My dorm has since become home and I find myself missing it when traveling on weekends. Lithuania is a beautiful country and filled with incredibly kind people. It is funny how negative thoughts can quickly influence you, but better yet is to recognize it and be able to push them all away.

I am thankful for being able to be in this country and to be exposed to their culture and way of life. I think it is one of my favorite aspects of traveling, that every experience leaves you with new knowledge of not only the land and people, but gives you a deeper understanding of your true self.

Vienybės Square in Kaunas

Main street in the beautiful Kaunas

Kaunas Castle – first mentioned in print in 1361

“Together we love Kaunas”