We kicked off the new year celebrating Andrew’s 13th birthday. First, we played at the Escape rooms. One team tried to steal Michelangelo’s drawing (the police came 10 seconds too early). The other team travelled in time. Then, we all went to eat 1.5 meters (5 feet) long pizza at an Italian restaurant (Bonocosi). Andrew enjoyed spending time with his cousins and friends. We, as parents, are happy to see him grown into a polite, athletic, smart young man with a good sense of humor.
Our month continued with an Italian theme. We had opportunity to visit Alps. I attended a very interesting economics-population science conference organized by the Bocconi University. One key note speaker was from Madison (a professor at the UW Madison), the other was from South Bend, IN (Notre Dame University) where Vaidas used to live for couple years. I do love such serendipity moments.
There is something magic about the mountains, especially for people coming from flat places (like Lithuania or Wisconsin). We all tried skiing in the mountains. Vaidas’ sister lent us some skiing clothes. We rented equipment at the resort. Italians are all about design. I had a white jacket, so they gave me a white helmet and white skis. I took entry level lessons and Vaidas skied with the boys from the top of the mountains. Dominick was the first to announce that he is coming back here the next year. That really describes how we all felt.
I have to talk about the food at the hotel. I know Italians cook well, but I didn’t have specific expectations. Our hotel included breakfast and dinner. We had dinner on the evening we got there. It was buffet style with probably 30 options (!!!) – three kinds of meat, four soups, five pastas, risotto, vegetables, small plates with salad and ham, and an impressive selection of desserts. The next evening dinner was of the same size but the food was different (another kind of meats, pastas, etc.). Did I mention a different kind of gelato each evening? Breakfast is a bit smaller ordeal in Italy, but there were eggs in all possible styles, bacon, salad, cereal, five types of cakes, croissants, fruits and coffee (made by barista for you, just make your wish). The staff were running around to take away empty plates and bring new trays with food. They have an an impressive operation.
Since this was a place for a conference, I thought that only Italians new about the place. Contrary to my thoughts, the hotel was full of Lithuanians. We heard Lithuanian language in the hallways, on the mountains and in the sauna/pool place. Saunas were pretty much “occupied” by Lithuanians warming their bones and sweating after the day time skiing.
We are really grateful to our Italian friends who invited us to the conference and introduced us to the mountains in Europe. If anyone is looking for recommendations - consider going to La Thuile, Italy. Our hotel was Planibel. And really, consider submitting a research paper for Alp-Pop 2025 conference.
Back in Vilnius, lots of activities going on at work, school and the city.
Kids are in the middle of the school year and have lots of projects and presentations. Andrew is continuing table tennis, running and viola lessons. Dominick is running and creating art projects at the ceramics lessons. We also try to go outside for walks and sledding.
I met with “Santaros” gimnazijos (one of the high schools in Vilnius) students and shared my story how I’ve got a Fulbright award and what I am doing in Lithuania. The talks are organized by English teachers in Lithuania to give students an opportunity to interview real people. I think, to the horror of their English teacher, I shared my honest opinion that Lithuanians concentrate too much on the English grammar rules and the exam itself, rather than the general idea of learning a foreign language, appreciating its nuances and generally feeling confident in speaking the language, expressing own ideas. I shared a secret that I never took any English exam or had to show results from any such exam in the U.S.
Lithuania’s farmers came for a protest to Vilnius – there were tractors on Gedimino prospektas (one of the main streets by government buildings and my work as well). I watched "Panorama" (the main news program), and all I understood that subsidies are lower, prices are higher and it is hard work to be a farmer. I am not sure if farmers got what they wanted, but they drew attention. The tractors parked in the center of the city for three full days.
Winter in Vilnius is mild, cloudy, and with some snow. We escaped the coldest week when we were in Italy (it did get to -19C (-2F)). The streets are cleaned ok, sidewalks are slippery. When the weather warms up, there are lots of mini pools on sidewalks. People tell me that cleaning is better than it used to be in the past. That is probably one area where the city can improve. Anyways, the city is beautiful when it is covered in snow and it is not too cold to take pictures. Here are a few pictures by our apartment in Paupys and Vilnius in general (with a cartoon filter on).
Happy birthday Andrew! When you spoke to the high school English class, did you speak in Lithuanian or English?
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time! I will have to submit a paper to Alt-Pop 2024. Looks like so much fun. Funny that there were so many Lithuanians at the hotel. When are you returning to Madison?