Lithuania

6 months ago before I booked my flight, I had no idea where Lithuania was on a map. I knew it was somewhere in Eastern Europe and that they have a good Olympic basketball team. What I didn't know was that they have a rich brewing tradition and an interesting history along with the other Baltic states for their fight for independence from the Germans and Soviets.

In World War II, Lithuania was home to many native Jews and displaced refugees from Poland. In 1941, the Soviets attacked the Baltic states to provide a better line for the defenses in Leningrad. The Soviets immediately stripped independence and created a division amongst the people at home. Jews were pro Soviet supporters for obvious reasons, but many of the native Lithuanians had a strong hatred for the Soviets after their previous occupation and mass murders of people of political influence. These competing interests unfortunately led to tensions amongst the Lithuanian people that fostered anti semistism and the incorrect assumption that the Germans were liberators, not conquerors. What followed the German the occupation was the execution of over 100,000 Lithuanian Jews and any communist supporters in the town of Paneriai just outside Vilnius. 

The Soviets regained control of the Baltics in 1944 and continued to rule and impose communism over Lithuania until the fall of the Soviet Union. Currently there is an Eastern EU meeting taking place here in Vilnius, where Vladimir Putin is trying to bully the Eastern European states out of the EU and to be partners with Russia at the threat of trade embargoes. Ukraine has seen massive protests as their PM was seen as caving into the Russians. Despite their sovereign independence, these countries are still wrestling for control of economic independence from the Russians.

While I was in Vilnius, I didn't see any of the diplomats or any protests but I did go from pub to pub with a bit of sightseeing along the way. 

I flew in from India with a layover in Helsinki. I had to pass through security in Helsinki and had left my iPod in my pocket while going through the metal detector. This triggered the detector and the guy standing next to me said "Welcome to Finland, we all carry AK47s." Even though my hostel was in Vilnius, his words were still true.

That's from behind the desk at the hostel I stayed at. 

Vodka... Check

Thermos for warm Vodka... Check

AK 47... Check

Only thing missing is a rag for a Molotov cocktail.

My first beer at Babalyne, a place with an awesome beer selection.

Gediminias Tower

My first sign of Christmas this season put a massive smile on my face.

IMO, the best time of year to visit Europe is over the holiday season. It's quite cool to see the Christmas markets, how each country has their own decorations for Christmas and you get a nice layer of snow that brings out the beauty of the city.

Here is the entrance for the Uzupio Republic. Notice how the sign has a picture of the Mona Lisa and a  car driving off a bridge. This isn't an actual real country for 364 days of the year but on April 1st, this place becomes a massive party where their elected PM will make a guest appearance and you can get your passport stamped. 

Further evidence of Uzupis humor.

And the beer in Lithuania was excellent. Not as good as the specialties you find in Belgium but still quite good none the least. I found their beers to be extremely sweet with many bread like flavors. Here's a draft list at the bar Alus Niamus. 

And the very cool looking drafts at the bar too.

Here's a menu at the bar Snekuits that has a picture of this dude on every page.

I came for the beer but I leave with a great respect for the people. We met some locals randomly at a bar on Friday night and they were glad to show me every bar and club in the city until sun rise. I gave them American names and I told the local women that these are my American friends "Bobby, John and my other friend Bobby." Vilnius is one of my favorite spots that I have partied with great beer, awesome house music and gorgeous tall blonde Eastern European women. A return trip with a visit to its Baltic neighbors next time are on the to do list.