Well we finally made it to the city that we will call home for the next 2 years. Its a weird feeling knowing that this place I've never been and this language I don't understand will be my home. With so many cultural differences it will take awhile before we feel at ease here, but it will be a good experience that stretches us beyond what we thought we could take.
The town is nice, right now we are temporarily staying in an apartment on one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe. So there are always people walking up and down the street looking at all the shops. The street ends at the huge and beautiful St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral which was built in 1408.
The people are beautiful and into a lot more fashion than we are used to in the Northwest (stiletto heels everywhere, and on cobblestone nonetheless). They tend to be a lot more reserved socially, but once you say labas (hi) then they warm up and are very friendly and even go out of their way to help you. An interesting example is that no one talks on the bus, its like an unwritten rule that once you get on you become mute, but on the streets people are talking and walking hand in hand.
The food seems to be good too, different, but good. There are a lot of Italianish dishes in most of the restaurants. I say "ish" because its not quite Italian, but its still loaded with carbs and tasty. The national dish is cepalini pronounced zepalini. It is a grated potato that is cooked in lard a few times and then packed around a chunk of meat and lard and then boiled and covered with liquid lard and bacon fat. So I figured I had to try it because the Lithuanians rave about it. It was . . .interesting. I liked the taste. Really. The gummy consistency of the potato and the 1/4 inch of grease sitting in the bottom of the bowl were different but in all it wasn't too bad. I could feel my arteries hardening as I ate. The thing I can't figure out though, is how these people can eat these things often and stay so thin. I could only put down one and a half and I know a four year old girl can eat like 8 of them. P.S. the photos are coming, internet issues.
3 comments:
You are continually in our prayers...we love you guys!!
Nice job on the cepelini! I don't even think I could eat half! :) I am so excited that you are getting a taste and a feel as you ride the trolley bus and get to try some of the language! Miss you all!
So... I know how to make cepelinai so some day when you are back and way home sick I'll make you guys some. :) Oh, and there is not nearly as much lard as you might think. Mainly it's just the grease from the bacon sauce. :) Have it at someone's home if you ever get the chance. WAY better than anything other place i ever had it. Oh and try balandėliai. That I miss most of all food wise. :)
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