Druskininkai, Grutas, Česnuli, & Merkine.

Today was a very busy day. First we drove to Druskininkai looking for the exhibition of one of the largest private collections of Lithuanian coins that Dan heard about at the Taurus hill event. Unfortunately there was no information about where this collection is present. We asked at the Tourist information office, and at several museums, but no one knew. We walked around the lake and went to Grutas park stopping at the Armenian restaurant on the way.

The food was OK, but what was interesting was that the owner set up a table outside for himself and his mom. He was talking to someone on skype in Armenian. While his mom was making some ethnic dish for the family at the table. They were next to the outdoor grill and in the full view of the outdoor pavilions. A place that allowed to keep an eye on what is cooking and who is eating. As we walked around waiting for our food the old lady gave a large carrot to the kids, and then some candies afterwards.

Grutas park has gotten a few additions. And the price is now 20LT per person which could probably explain maybe 10 visitors we saw our entire time there. We spent quite a bit of time at the playground and a little zoo in front to give kids a break after dragging them around all this time. At the historical part the owner had gathered large quantities of Soviet memorabilia including all the national statues of Lenin, Stalin and more. Cultural accounts generally sound good and there is a certain sense of humor with the overall approach. There is no obsessive-compulsive quality about it like Sarumaa castle exhibition had.

For example waiters at a coffee shop are dressed like in Russian pioneer school girl uniforms. If it was that hateful, why go with this element? So there is this certain duality in approach. We passed a middle aged lady wearing a pioneer scarf and speaking with someone on the phone excitedly. She said “My pioneer scarf had been made in Erevan in 1982.” To many people this period of time was their childhood or their children’s childhood. And hate it or not, certain elements were inseparatable to it.

Afterwards we went to Česnuli wooden sculpture park. It was also very nice. Isabella accidentally dropped her bottle into a stream that flows around the property. She made a very desperate wail. Fortunately for her the current was not very strong and it got close enough to the stream bank that Dan was able to get it. Hopefully not to many contaminants. We saw the sculptor author and he offered to buy his book.

Finally, we stopped at Merkine on the way. There is no wooden castle mentioned by the Crusaders anymore, but there is a mound on which it stood. From there one could see the most beautiful views of the countryside yet. Absolutely amazing and totally worth 1 km detour from the main road. We were ready to head back but if we had made this stop on the way in, we would have spent some time walking around more mounds and exploring the area. 

We got back to the city and did a final round on Vilnius gatve route mainly for Isabella’s benefit. Isabella walked most on the way. She has more stamina than any of us and  outlasts us all. Georgia goes from being generous to her whims to being a bit of a baby. It is sometimes had to catch a moment of transition. But overall they both are very patient and well behaved considering how much travel we do per day.