Oh my goodness so much has happened since I last blogged! I really need to get in a better habit of writing more regularly. It has been a little bit chaotic to try to find a set schedule. From random trips downtown, to hanging out with our coordinator Dima and skyping with my favorite person in Seattle, I sometimes just put this last. As we all know, putting things like writing in your journal last is the worst idea. Then it never EVER gets done. I still have 5 days left of my China journal. That is just straight up pathetic because it happened a year ago! Anyways, I am going to be better, and you all should be too. (Rant over.)
This last weekend was just a blast. We had the opportunity to go to Trakai. Trakai is seriously the cutest place. As we were walking around, I felt like I was living in a scene pulled right out of a fairy tale. We woke up bright and early and got ready to go. Four of us could drive with Dima in his beloved Mercedes, but the other Two girls had to take the bus because they couldn't fit in the car. We met Dima at the bus stop and then split up. I went with Dima. I am really happy I got to go with Dima because first, I love Dima, and second, I also love the radio. I am completely obsessed with European radio. It just cracks me up. Their popular songs are all in English, but I haven't heard them ever in my life. Either I am not with the times, or they are from England or something. They have they craziest beats. They would be the ideal teenage fist pump songs. This cracks me up even more because everyone here is so stern. I have the hardest time imagining the people here jamming out to these songs especially some little babushka. I will keep my eyes peeled and let ya know if I ever catch people dancing.
Here is my favorite popular Lithuanian tune:
Seriously. This song is so dang catchy. I don't know how the whole country isn't dancing.
(Has anyone heard this song in America?...)
After we jammed in the car, we made it to the bus station. From here we would buy Hannah and Rachel ticket from the bus station to Trakai. The thing we found most interesting about the bus station was the fact you had to pay one Lita to use the restroom. We spent the longest time explaining to our coordinator Dima that we believed in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. To us, that means being able to relieve yourself without having to pay while getting free toilet paper. Boy do we Americans live the high life.
The car ride to Trakai was filled with more car dancing. We also enjoyed looking around at the adorable countrysides of Lithuania. There are so many tall trees here, it is just so beautiful. My favorite thing we passed was the most adorable little graveyard. I know graveyards aren't supposed to be adorable, but mark my words, this one really was just so quaint and precious. When we finally got to the castle, we were all jittery with excitement.
LOOK AT THIS PLACE. IT IS PERFECT.
It is on it's own little island. Genius idea if you ask me.
Cliche, but it had to be done.
Dima (The best coordinator EVER.), Me, and Rachel
Channeling my inner China.
Dying with joy because I saw my first castle.
We also got really really lucky because we came to Trakai on the one day of the year where they have their Mid evil festival. When we went inside, there were a bunch of people dressed up in traditional costumes. Their were peasants, princesses and even knights. It was so cool. One of my favorite parts of the festival was when the knights did a joust. At first, all of us girls thought that the knights would come out on horses and joust like how you see in the movies and in Vegas. Boy were we wrong. The knights just had a little brawl on foot. To be honest, it was completely hysterical. Imagine two ridiculously dressed Lithuanians going ham on each other with fake axes. We just couldn't contain our laughing. Later on, we also got to watch the princesses dance. This was cool, but after like five minutes you realized why those dances died with the Renaissance. They are so slow! They just repeat over and over and over and over. They sure are pretty, but I am glad we have moved on.
Here are some pictures to prove it.
Getting my head chopped off.
The knights of ridiculousness.
Pretty princesses with Mikele.
When we were done at the castle. We decided to take a boat around the castle. Let me tell ya, boating around a castle is better than regular boating.... because there is a castle involved. We found the cutest little Russian man to take us. His name was MeChez (pronounced me cheese). I am so glad we picked him. He was a hoot. Every time we would say his name he would laugh and laugh and laugh. It was probably because we were way off base with the pronunciation of his name, but he still answered to it, so hey, it worked. He told us all sorts of interesting facts about the castle. (Dima translated for us.) We weren't really listening, but thanks for trying sweet little MeChez.
MeChez! Look at this cutie.
Jessica and I on a boat. Next to a castle. Living the life.
When we were done, we had some time to explore the surrounding town. It reminded me a lot of Copenhagen. It was filled with colorful little houses with cute windows and flowers. I loved it. Bottom line, this was without a doubt one of the best days of my life. If you have the chance to go to a castle, never pass it up.
Goodbye Trakai! Until next time!
XO, Mikele