Vilnius, Monday September 12 - Two birthdays , Light Rain, and Final Day

The breakfast buffet was delicious, and I enjoyed sitting and talking with fellow group members. It looked like a cool but sunny day - 60 degrees.in the hotel conference room we met and learned from our speaker, a young man from the Eastern Europe Security Center who spoke to the topic: The Baltics at a Time of Uncertainty.  The three countries have greater trust in the EU than Germany, and when Putin invaded Ukraine the common question was "are we  next?" He talked about the good, bad, and ugly of the war in Ukraine. He also spoke about the unknown - China. We asked questions. 

We then boarded our bus with guide for a bus and walking tour of Old Town. History was shared as we looked at Baroque and Rococo and Soviet style buildings.  We heard about the leadership of the country and learned there are 44 Roman Catholic churches in this city in a country which is over 75% Roman Catholic. We visited Baroque Saints Peter and Paul church; ornately decorated with sculptures and organ pipes to marvel.

We then walked downhill learning history as we walked the winding and cobbled streets to the cathedral, which is the center of Old Town. After thanking our city tour guide we turned in our audio devices, called "the whisperers."

It was the a light rain began to fall as we scattered for a free afternoon. Three of us walked more streets of Old Town stopping in shops and making purchases of chocolates to give this evening to Kridyina and to Agrid, our bus driver. Packing with the accompaniment of BBC coverage of mourning solemnity for Queen Elizabeth in Edinburgh has been made more pleasant an activity. Our group meets for a final time, for supper and folk entertainment at 5:45 PM, in less than an hour.

At least three of us have a 9:55 AM flight from Vilnius to Helsinki.  Kristina has ordered cars to bring us to the airport, around 7:30AM, about 9:30 PM on Monday, I would guess.

Supper at a traditional Lithuanian restaurant was very happy and tasty. Starters included 3 cheeses, three types of thinly sliced meats, tiny pickles, tiny herring pieces, and brown bread with sunflower seeds, and pjg's ear. That had little flavor and was chewy. We watched a demonstration of potato balls being made and stuffed with pork. We then ate such a potato ball, well a small portion. Then came three tin dices of pork with gravy,  mashed potatoes, and green salad. Entertainment was four gentlemen playing and singing folk songs. Violin, accordion, a guitar like instrument which picked bass notes, and percussion of bells. We also participated using some instruments; I had a heavy bels on a circle.  They also involved a couple of us in dancing. To me the music sounds what I would call gypsy music as well as square dance music, too. We sang happy birthday in Lithuanian to Kristina and Lorna and ate the cakes brought for them. Kristina thanked for being these American group she has led and for being so compatible with each other.

Agrid and the bus brought us back to the hotel, we hugged one another, and packed more in our rooms. Our alarm will go off at 5 AM tomorrow, for Mary will be picked up at 5 AM. So Gute Nacht, bis Morgen, Mom/Susan

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