Lithuania (  click to see map)
As seen through my eyes
A Short (and Recent) History Lithuania is a country with a population just over 3 million people. It occupies an area roughly one-third as big as Minnesota.
This small country spent most of the 20th century under control of other countries. At the turn of the century,
it was under Russian control, after being given up by Poland to whom it belonged as a commonwealth nation. It was under Russian rule until 1918 when it declared
independence. 2 years later it secured it's independence. This lasted until WWII. During those years, control of Lithuania went back and forth between the Soviet
Union and Germany, and finally ending up as a Soviet republic in 1944. They remained a Soviet republic until 1990. That year, Lithuania declared it's independence,
the first Soviet Republic to do so. One year later, they actually won their independence from the Soviet Union. In May 2005, they joined the European Union.
Old History Lithuania has had just one king, King Mindaugas. His coronation was in July, 1253. After some years of unsuccessfully trying to convert the
Baltic people to christianity, he finally renounced the religion. He was assassinated shortly after in 1263. After the King, a succession of Grand Dukes ruled
the territory, ending up as a commonwealth nation with Poland, to boost it's defenses. Still, Russia and Prussia were able to invade and take large pieces of land, over half
of the country, until close to 1800, when the commonwealth broke and it came under the control of Russia.
Food and Drink Lithuania has it's own traditional foods. Much of the diet is potato based, and many tradional foods use potatoes. My favorite is cepeliniai.
It's a potato dumpling type of food, about the size of a softball, and the potato is filled with either meat or cheese, covered with a bacon sauce and sour cream on the side. mmmm.
Fish is a staple of the diet, and there are a lot of cheeses, sausages, and very good dark dense flavorful bread. Coffee and tea are enjoyed all day long, coffee is
brewed right in the cup. You put very fine grounds in the cup and pour boiling water over them. Wait a few minutes and stir. Wait a few more minutes and enjoy. The ground just sink to the bottom.
The desserts are incredible. All of them are my favorite, and most are pastry desserts. There is one called a "tree cake", a thing called "ant-hill", they're impossible to
describe, but wonderful to eat. And one other wonderful dessert is called a Napoleon Torte. It's made up of layers of flaky pastry filled with cream. When
Napoleon was in Lithuania during his Russian campaign, he fell in love with this dessert, hence the name. The drink is kind of as expected. There's a lot of vodka. But, Lithuania also brews it's own
very good beers. Wine is also commonly enjoyed with meals. A difference with how meals and eating are structured in Lithuania is very different than here in
the USA. Meals are social occasions, and the food is almost secondary to the conversation. Families and/or friends will sit around a table for 2 or 3 hours
talking and laughing and toasting as they eat. Almost like snacking rather than having a meal. It's very relaxed, and very enjoyable.
The Land Lithuania has a climate similar to Minnesota, just a little more temperate. Much of the landscape, the vegetation and birds and animals
are the same as in Minnesota. It is mainly beautiful rolling countryside, with rivers and lakes, forests and farms. There are a few unique aspects. It's western
side is bordered by the Baltic Sea. It has a large seaport city, Klaipeda. Off the west coast, there is a long narrow spit of land called the Curonian Spit. It
is a very very beautiful piece of land, with beaches on the sea on it's western side, and large desert-like sand dunes on the east side facing the lagoon between
it and the mainland. The cities' older buildings are beautifully architected, and gives much of the country an old-world charm. Houses in the country are simple,
houses in the fishing villages are like gingerbread houses, all adding to the charm Lithuania exudes.
The People The people themselves are simple, as well. They seem to enjoy
life easily, taking pleasure in the simple things, like friends and family, good food and drink, nature. For me it was a pleasure to just be there with them.
Lithuanian people are warm and giving. I haven't met one Lithuanian person I don't like. They're all very quick to shake your hand, offer you a drink, invite
you into their homes. They are western-looking people, and after years of being a part of the Soviet system, are quickly adopting more western culture, the things
they see in western Europe and America.
|
|
