Is that a castle? Our weekend in Vilnius.

This past weekend, we all left Klaipeda for a long weekend and headed to the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius!  We were all eager to go, for a change of scenery, and the promise of a beautiful hotel with a swimming pool;)

We stopped at two castles on our way.  The first was an old castle that has been converted into a school.  How fun would that be, to have your school actually have been a castle!

The second castle, Trakai, is perhaps the most well-known and well-restored castle in Lithuania.  It was picturesque, surrounded by water, complete with a drawbridge to enter.  Inside, they have many artifacts from various centuries, as well as pictures that show how they went about restoring the castle.  Quincy and Annie were not too impressed...their idea of a castle having been shaped by Frozen and other Disney animated films;)  On our way out, Annie said "It [the castle] was not what I expected, it was so old, but it was still fun to see."  Quincy told us that he wanted to see a modern castle, one where people still lived...not sure what we could do to accommodate that!

Then we headed to our hotel.  The sister of our neighbor (whom we met at our landlord's birthday party) arranged for us to stay at the Kempinski Hotel, a remarkable hotel right in the center of Vilnius.  I have not stayed in a hotel this nice.  Ever.  It was amazing!  The kids enjoyed the spa downstairs, including a pool, hot tub, sauna, and steam room.  I enjoyed the Granny Smith apples poolside.  Aaron enjoyed the all-you-can eat breakfast;)  Needless to say, the kids spent a good 6-7 hours in the pool area for the 48 hours we were at the hotel;)

 A trip to the spa required the hotel robes (with bonus small ones!) and slippers!

We were able to do a bit of sightseeing, walking up to the remnants of the castle built in the center of the city (complete with a discussion about why one might build a fortress on the top of the highest hill;), walk around the city, and enjoy some tastes from home (Subway and KFC).  Sadly, it was refreshing to have folks speak English everywhere we went, the nature of a large, international city.  We also ran into an American basketball player, newly arrived, and playing on one of the top Lithuanian professional teams.  It was a full circle moment of our time in France and Denmark;)  On the way home, we stopped at Ikea (my one request;).  It was a fantastic weekend!

 The Vilnius Cathedral.  The main Roman Catholic Cathedral of Lithuania.

 Mom, we need to have some crazy pictures too!

 Gediminas Tower.  The remaining part of the upper castle in Vilnius.  The flag of Lithuania was re-hoisted atop the tower on October 7, 1988 during the independence movement.

We are growing accustomed to the landscape here, quite green, with many farms and trees along the road.  But what continues to remind me that we are in Lithuania are the buildings.  It is quite something to drive by kilometers of cement block apartment buildings, which seem to be a reminder of the Soviet presence not all that long ago.  Vilnuis was a mix of beautiful old ornate cathedrals and museums (similar to much of what we have seen throughout Europe), the former Soviet cement block buildings, and new construction.  A great melding of what was and what is.

And we learned a few things about traveling and taking in a new city with our four smaller travelers.  They do not yet (!) appreciate the value of older buildings, and what that all represents.  Quincy numerous times asked why they don't just tear down the old buildings and build new ones.  Annie struggles with everything looking so very old.  Jackson and Nala, well, we're not sure what they think, but they are often as much of an attraction as where we are visiting (a future post).  And it's tough to lure kids away from a pool and a nice hotel, even though we were in a new place with much to learn and see.  It's all a work in progress;)

Much love friends and family!  And again, thanks for your prayers;)