Day 22 - Revisiting the old places

A lot of these posts is going to have 'again' on it. But even though we keep revisiting the old places most are never the same. Lots of eateries did not survive, lot's more were opened, most of the things that were crumbling had crumbled some further. People go from nice to mean and back.

For lunch we went to Restoranas Sriubos Namai in Gedimino 9 Mall. In addition to being air-conditioned, the service rivaled that in Estonia and soups were all great, especially Italian cold tomato soup. Georgia had some of each and really enjoyed them. Isabella munched on Georgia's crepe. I anticipate that Isabella will soon start competing with the rest of the family for food. She ravenously goes after anything we happen to be eating and lets us know that she will not take no for an answer. Just the other day she grabbed the dough from kibinai from the plate, stuck it into her mouth, and informed us that she will scream if anyone tries to take it away.

In the afternoon Georgia and I started out on our tour of Usupis in the blistering heat. The first stop Rimi. Given that it was the afternoon, like the proper two ladies, we got some sweets with our water. We ate them in the shade on the grass next to St. Casimir church. Next, we walked up St. Casimir gatve and visited the Artist's club. It does look like a proper high end hangout for a actors or artists without being overly pretentios. I wonder it that superlong bar inspired one in the certain Frei book. Does not look like they have a menu but as far as bar is concerned is promicing.

After that: Subacius gate. Older lady emerged from the entrance to the museum wearing yellow robe and carrying a bucket. We assumed that she was a janior and asked whether the museum was open. While emptying her bucket full of small stones into the trunk of her Volvo, she said it has been under reconstruction for the last two years, and will be for another two, unless the European Union gives them some money. We wished her luck and went around to look at the gates. They now have construction gates around them, possibly to keep down the number of janitors. The gates were open and we could see our lady scurrying around the empty contruction site with her bucket.

Some of the backyards around the gate are very scenic, though there is higher concentration of alcoholics in the area. We found a cozy coffee on the corner facing the gate. It has free Internet and fans. Will check it out next week.

Onto Usupis proper next. About 30% of establishments are gone. The rest are selling a lot of identical little nicknacks that locals call art. Georgia enjoys more now going into interesting little stores or maybe it is the temperature outside. I guess my couture was off or they are pretty desperate here because the store clerks kept following us around. Pretty anoying. St. Bart's was closed, unfortunately, it is my favorite place here.

The one place we both enjoyed was the atelier of a seamstress. Georgia said, "mom, do you love me?" I said, of course. "Then we must go down and visit that shop." So we went inside and I explained to the seamstress and older guy who was there that Georgia has never been in one of these places and wanted to see it. The lady and the gentlemen were very nice. She jumped up from her sewing machine and showed Georgia the machine, the changing room, and pretty dolls they have in the window, while the guy was marvelling her looks and good behavior.

As we were walking along the river to the mermaid bridge I found a coin: 10 silver Russian pennies from 1909. Just lying there on the path. There was some guy nearby washing his underwear in the river. Doubt it was his through. Dan was really excited about it. The coin that is. We went back and looked some more but that was it. I thought back to the Subacius gate. The yellow lady is probably digging up a hidden treasure.

Dan joined us, while Irina hanged out with Isabella. We went to Chinese on St. Michael's for dinner. The service and presentation were fast and excellent as two years ago. But to our tired old palates the taste was a bit on the bland side. The portions are huge. We emerged patting down our heavy expanded bellies and carrying doggy bags where the owner had stuck everything down to the last piece of cucumber. Cold lithuanian soup is a bit easier on your stomach even if accompanied by potato pancakes with sour cream and bacon.

On the way home we stopped by the new basement beer bar-shop on Sticliu, next to the felt store. It is a beautifully restored basement with ancient city bricks lining the walls. There are fridges with beers and kvas from the breweries all over country lining the walls. There is a stand with a multidude of mouth watering beer appetizers. And, off cource, there are comfortable chairs and other bar paraphenalia. If we are ever to build our house, it would be sufficient to only reproduce a basement like that and forget the rest. Even if all the bricks are fake. Forgot the camera, but not to worry. We will be back, time and time again. I hope that as far as revisiting things goes, this one would not change for a while.

Dina and Ilusha came in the evening. It was good to hear more stories about the family and more plans for the coming year.

I am finishing this up on Friday afternoon. Exciting little story from this morning in the next blog. It might even perk up Elena.