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.  

Wander: Berlin, after my own heart.

Whenever we spoke of our travel plans to Berlin we were often told, "Berlin is great, you'll love it...but it doesn't really look like Europe." 

That last comment was always an interesting one to me. Europe is often perceived as the "old-world" and visions of beautiful and decorative early century buildings flood the mind. Did I expect to find that in Berlin? No. About 90% of it had to be rebuilt after the war due to all of the destruction it had sustained. Would that change my perception of its worth or affect how we experienced the city? Not at all! 

Those big beautiful buildings found in other major European capitals are gorgeous, yes. But there's so much more to a city for me! It's the people, the culture, it's infectious energy and promise. There's an obvious beauty to Paris or Rome, whereas in Berlin you have to look a bit deeper which is why I find it so fascinating.

At face value, Berlin appears rough around the edges with its graffitied Soviet-style architecture which graces many parts of the city. But there lies the beauty!

Given Berlin's VERY dark history, I found Berliners to be very resilient people who have embraced change. They've had to rebuild (literally) and imagine new identities for themselves to numb the memories of the past. The creative presence found on every wall, and every passerby is a testament to that change. There is a creative energy here that I have never encountered in any other city. It's rather difficult to put into words what I mean by that, except to say open yourself up to Berlin and you'll see what I mean. 

After all, Berlin is all about self-discovery. 

A few things we've learned while in Berlin:

- Berliners are very friendly and ready to chat

- it's a very international city, with ex-pats from every place

- it's not all sausage and sauerkraut

- to be curious

- bike culture is alive and well

- public transportation is easy to navigate

Wander: To walk among Scots.

To state the absolute obvious, Edinburgh is an OLD city with many tales to tell. Every block you pass through has seen its share of dramas, battles, and love stories dating back centuries. The same could be said about the rest of Scotland. And of course Europe.

Being from Canada, our own history is just a blip in time compared to the history that has existed here. I mean, you can't help but appreciate knowing some of Scotland's more "modern" buildings are as old as your own country. 

I've never had a head for remembering historical battles and/or dates - a "history buff" I am not. But there is something to be said about walking streets, alleys and sweeping landscapes that embody so much life.

Any place will have a spirit about it. Scotland just so happens to walk among many. 

Travel: Victoria, BC

 

 

After losing Charlie just over a week ago, Kevin and I needed some time away for a bit of a break from our thoughts.

We decided to take the ferry trip to Victoria, BC and make a long weekend of it. We hadn't been back since 2003, and boy, has the city changed!

It still has its old-town charm but with a much younger character than we remembered! Block after block of local coffee roasters, craft beer microbreweries and amazing new restaurants, the city has become a definite food haven. And you can't help but get lost in some of those views.

This trip was exactly what we needed.