Vilnius - Blogabond

ah. Vilnius, Vilnius, Vilnius!
We arrived in Vilnius yesterday after a long day on the train- and what a city. It has the biggest old town in europe and its so much fun,cheap and beautiful! really like it here and there is so much history.i never realised how much the lithuanians have suffered in the hands of the soviets and the nazis.1in 4 lithuanians have suffered directly due to stalinism or fascism.its very scary and makes the city even more impressive and how far it has come and rebuilt itself in the past 10 years.
A trip to the museum of genocide in something you will never forget. it is in the old KJB prison ( an when i mean old i mean that the prison was still in use by the KJB in 1991....) its chilling. you go down to the cells, the execution room and the excercise court and i thought i might be sick. the exhibition upstairs is really good and leads you through the history of the lithuanian oppression since before the 2nd world war, but its very weird to think that communisim was still killing people here in our lifetime.

now Vilnius is booming. they are rebuilding the old palace on its foundations in prepartion for2009 which is the 1000thanniversary of Vilnius.they are re-doing the centre and it looks amazing. there are designer shops everywhere and the people are smiling ( unlike alot of the baltic countries), the food is good and cheap and its a very happening place. Glad we came now before it is overun with tourists and becomes expensive! and its great to see it in december- the lights are up, the christmas trees are looking great and the buildings look stunning at night.

well thats today. have tonight and tomorow here then on thursday we go to st petersburg! (about 20 GPB a ticket)

written by

beccastravels on December 14, 2006 from Vilnius, Lithuania

from the travel blog: There and Back again

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hello becca so good to see your photos and read your stories.almost feels like we are there.kind of wish i was.keep us up to date as you go.more interesting than history ever was at school.keep having fun.lots of love to you both.isabel x x x

written by william thomas on December 15, 2006

Hi Rebecca, Dad and David here. Its Friday night and its great to hear of your travels. Coming back from Cuba and the continuing communism there, and the bizzare propaganda they are subjected to seem all the more real. People living on rationed food, where the country could support many more than the 12m population it has. They BELIEVE that they have the best life in the world and everything westernised is evil. Looking forward to hearing about St Petes. Love Dad and David

written by Michael McGovern, David Greer on December 15, 2006

You have seen so much more than most people twice your age. Please keep up the history lessons and excellant photo's. God speed and all the best to you both. Alastair Christine and last but not least Lauren

written by james alastair jack on December 15, 2006

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