Day 17 - Vilnius Elegies

Today was practically 100% rain. In the morning we stayed at home. At lunch we got out to go to the Vilnius Picture Gallery next door at Didzioji 4. They are having Vilnius Elegies (interesting history in the link here) exhibition. It is based on the set of pictures of Vilnius in 1930-40s taken by Boleslawa and Edmund Zdanowscy, members of Wilno Photo Club.

The pictures were great. The city did not change that much. It used to be much greener and it used to have more character based on pictures showing the little stores lining the City Hall square and Stikliu street. Not sure if the whole collection was shown but some neighborhoods, particularly around Vokieciu were missing. Some areas we could not recognize. Others used to be better. For example where there is now an empty asphalted hole in the youth park used to be a little pond with swans and a fountain. Missionnaries church on the outskirts of Subaciaus used to be majestic, and poor St. Francis church was much more to look at as well. It is interesting to think that another couple was here 80 years ago documenting the beautiful city, somewhat similar to how we are doing today (if you replace churches with food).

The rest of the museum, located in the former Chodkiewicz Palace, is not nothing much special, though would be worth a second look if we decided to go into the history of the city in a heavy duty way. There are lots of portraits, many of the famous people living in Vilnius or associated with it.

After the museum, we made a quick run to the orphan student eatery at the conservatory we found a few days ago. Kibinai were great, and hot pea soup was a good replacement for Saltibarsciai (Cold Lithuanian Beet Soup), which they don't serve on the cold weather. That would mean EVER? We wondered how do they deternime whether the weather is going to be cold. Weekly weather predictions? Or daily?

Then we put Georgia to sleep as I had made a few calls looking for a dermatologist to take her too. She's gotten red raised rash on her face and upper arms. It did not bother her but did not seem to be getting better. It was recommended that I contact the Medical Diagnostic Center on Grybo since they handle lots of children's cases and dermatology at that. I called them in the morning but the Russian receptionist said dermatologists are booked for weeks ahead and suggested that I call in the afternoon when a dermatologist will be in the office and she could give some idea about the next available opening. So I called in the afternoon. This time the receptionist spoke English and her idea of schedule was "What time is good for you to come in today?"

So we brought Georgia in at 4pm. The center was brand new and well designed for the wide range of private medical services that they provide. They have receiptionists that book you and alert specific doctor's nurse to come to the reception and bring you to the doctors office. We did not have to wait at all. The doctor, dermatologist/venerologist, looked bored. She probably expected a syphilis. She said it was allergy and provided a list of brand name soaps and zinc cremes to get rid of the rash. Then she and the nurse very professionally convinced me to sign up for an appointment for Georgia to see an allergist. I cracked. Will have to call and cancel that one tomorrow.

We put the creme on Georgia - had to run to a few pharmacies to find this specific brand. The University pharmacy seems to be the best stocked and the strongest smelling too. It positively strikes you when you come in.

Then I prepared Saltibarsciai 2.0. This time I diluted with water and used a half of lemon to neutralize the sweetness of beets. Dan said it was ruined because tasted like nothing else but the lemon. I put my second ugly creation in the fridge and hoped that lemon acid will break down by dinner time. I must have atrophied sense of smell - I could hardly notice it.

It was very good to have Diana and Jonas over. It was the most we heard him talk ever. And he is really good to talk to. He suggested an interesting detour on our Riga trip next month. Will have to try it out. My theory about the lemon acid was correct, or they were all generous with me. Could not smell or taste it either way.

The branded creme did not seem to be working so I tried some of Georgia's California Baby butt creme - it also is high in zinc but also has anti-allergenic base and a mild natural antibiotic. It seems to have done much better. Now the trick is to find what it is she is allergic to. We did not give her any sweets, fruits, or milk today and still it did not go away.

Hopefully there will be nothing left to rain out tomorrow. Another social evening is planned :)