“We don’t want war here.” This is the sentiment expressed to my life partner by the manicurist tending to her “paws”. Throughout Lithuanian solidarity with Ukraine is at the fore front from sentiments on buses to Ukrainian flags on balconies through to the Presidential Palace where the columns to the left reflect the Lithuanian flag and those on the right the Ukraine flag.
People here are nervous, if (or when) Ukraine falls they may be easy pickings and next in line.
The capitol Vilnius is more spread out than many others. Tree lined boulevards and elegant buildings line the streets of this sophisticated city. There is a thriving fine food and cafe culture. What I am most impressed with is the number of churches here. Largely Catholic and Orthodox. Interestingly, Vilnius had one of the largest Jewish populations in Europe. Tragically that is, of course until the Nazis occupied this place and the holocaust decimated the local Jewish population.
This is a city that takes a bit of time and effort to “drill” beneath the surface and enjoy its offerings but when one does you are rewarded in spades.
