Wander: Vilnius, Lithuania

 

Lithuania has a rich history going back centuries, taking architectural influence from their Pagan roots, the French, the Italians and subsequently the Russians as well. 

What I found interesting (and not at all expected), was Vilnius' narrow Medieval streets as well as its Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic buildings! Given Russia's occupation, it's amazing they had the decency to leave most of Vilnius' Old Town alone. The city's beautiful character charmed them too, I guess?

With naming Vilnius a Unesco World Heritage Site, much has been done to preserve the integrity of this section of town. While many buildings look to be on the brink of falling over, people still inhabit them. Whether they're safe structures or not, is another question. Although, from where we were standing it looked as though architectural engineers are kept quite busy here.

Creatively speaking, there's so much to draw inspiration from. With all of its complexities, dark, long history and ultimate beauty, I would definitely say Lithuania is worth exploring! I'm really happy we included Vilnius on this holiday, not just for personal reasons, but also for a deeper appreciation of Eastern Europe's triumphant nature. 

We'll most certainly be back! 

Home.

My posts about our European holiday haven't ended yet, I have a couple more at least.

But I've been writing this post in my head for a while now and thought it was finally time I shared it in a more public space. Tales of Europe can wait.

It's hard to know how to feel, really. Home can mean so many different things. It can represent a place, people, a story, a collection of memories and even a feeling. 

Whatever your definition, we've definitely made Vancouver home these last 7+ years. A more beautiful place to call your own, there could never be. We count ourselves lucky to have had the life we've had here and the friends we've made over the years. Vancouver has forever changed us, and that's something we'll gladly take with us wherever we go.

And the all-too-glamorous 'wherever' has turned out to be Toronto. Yes, that's right. We're moving back, and likely no later than late January/early February. I'd say I'm as shocked as many of you, but then again, I think I always knew that's where my heart had remained all these years and where I would eventually return.

That city gave me my first concert, my first design job, my first apartment, my first cat Charlie and my first REAL love, Kevin. Those kinds of milestones are pretty tough to beat and when you have that kind of romanticized connection to a place whether it be a faded memory (real or imagined)...the pining tends to be difficult to shake. Over the years, the thought of moving home to Toronto had come up a lot, but then we'd sit by the ocean and look up at the mountains and all distant memories of a former life would fade. Life in Vancouver was too great to give up. Why even consider walking away?

The truth of the matter is, we could give you hundreds of reasons for 'why', but the one that speaks stronger than the rest...

We're ready! What excites us more than anything else – we get to come home to a place that feels familiar yet feels completely brand new as well. A chance to rediscover Toronto with new and curious eyes feels like a real gift! 

We will of course forever look at our years in Vancouver with absolute pride and smiles. Not seeing the mountains or breathing in that fresh air everyday, yeah, we'll miss that. We'll miss our friends and we'll miss this city that has truly been home for the past 7+ years...but it's time to redefine what home means to us, with family nearby. 

Wander: A sort of homecoming. Lithuania.

Feeling like I've come home.

Why come to Lithuania? Where is Lithuania?

We often got quizzical looks when we mentioned Vilnius being part of our travel plans. Much of Eastern Europe is still unchartered territory for the average traveller, so we understood anyone's surprise. Especially when its lumped in with our other heavy-footed destinations of Scotland, Berlin and Paris.  

I've always proudly identified as Lithuanian (at least in part), as I'm first generation Canadian on my father's side. As Lithuanians of a certain generation, my grandparents lived through atrocities that we have never been privy to know. Between hiding from the Nazi and Soviet armies, their last few years in Lithuania must have been filled with absolute fear, distrust and God knows what else. My father was born inside a German DP (displaced persons) camp and at the age of 6 months, he and my grandmother bravely escaped by boat to Canada. My grandfather left several months before to work as a minor in Northern Ontario. He was determined to firmly root his family in a new life away from the chaos.

Knowing part of your own history is quite dark, you're both in awe of your grandparents' strength and determination but also horrified this could ever be possible and you weep for their innocence. Lithuania finally gained its independence from Russian occupation in 1991, which has had a strong impact on how the country has flourished since. 

I have a rooted connection to my heritage, but I lacked any connection to the land itself. Being an artist there's always been something inside of me that felt very in-tune with my Lithuanian (and French) heritage. When we began planning our month-long trip my husband made a huge plea for Lithuania. Yes, Kevin was the main force behind our decision to visit my 'homeland'. 

My vision of Lithuania growing up was often a place of fear, despair and sadness, but eventually of triumph and determined spirit. My trepidation with visiting was that of fear itself. Fear I would regret coming. Fear I would find a total disconnection to the people, culture and land. Fear my heritage was only a blood line and nothing else. You have such admiration and pride for your ancestors that I feared I'd leave with a confused identity.

What my time in Vilnius has shown me is that I am in fact, Lithuanian. Our short time there brought me solace and a new sense of 'home' and belonging. While this was a personal trip to my 'homeland', it also opened me up to a whole other part of Europe!

Eastern Europe doesn't get the credit it deserves. While Western Europe is being overrun with tourists, Eastern Europe has its own thing going on. 

We'll most certainly be back! In the meantime, I've come away with a full heart and plenty of inspiration to feed my new found creativity.  

I'll share additional thoughts on our time in Vilnius in a separate post. Stay tuned.