I am going to tell you a little about my Trip, which thought me many things but the biggest lesson for me was “don’t be Georgian”, It was very funny one. (For now it seems to be funny).

I was traveling to Finland and Stockholm with my friend from Georgia Tiko (She is an exchange student in VTGU), this trip was my first experience and although my big dream. Journey by ship to the city where was living most kind woman in the world Astrid Lindgren. I can’t say that I grew up with her stories but when I was in my teen age I read them and science then  I have been dreaming to see sunset in Stockholm and It when all this came true I just forgot everything, especially about time… in that time I feel I was infinitive … but when my friend said that we had no time and we must run to reach our cruise “Gabriella”, I feel a pain in my stomach (It was like when you are in love and feel something, but in a bad way :D). We started running like it was marathon … and finally we were late 1 minute. Just 60 seconds, come on man…  Open the gate. We were begging the man standing near the gate to open it, but this is EUROPE girl. They like rules. I was very nervous and wanted to begin crying but the man came and said: Don’t cry! He seemed very strong and the face was so calm that it touches me too. Suddenly I felt very calm and safe. Yes, this man was very helpful. We went to downstairs to the information canter; he was talking with woman and after five minutes came with smile in his face. I was thinking: “we are lucky”, one day in a week ship is making stop for 10 minutes in another Island between Stockholm and Helsinki. That was good news, we still had a chance to get and sleep in our cabins. We waste a lot of many but we did it! 😀 After that we feel like we were super heroes. Who noticed our disappear and heard our crazy journey, we become a storytellers. In the morning we were in Tallinn waiting for the bus to Vilnius but My another Georgian friend – Giorgi was already waiting us at the port and don’t let us  go “home”. So we change plans, went to his house, had a rest and then take a trip to see old Tallinn. It was worth to see! Magical houses, old buildings and architecture, narrow street with gravel road. When I saw all this I had a feeling that in one of the bar will came out a big mans, Alf’s with a bottle of bear, singing and having fun.  It was really good feeling. We laugh a lot on the jokes of my friend. He is very good at it.

When I came to Reitavas. First thing what I did after shower was opening my notebook and checking in on my “bucket list” three thing:

•  I was in Stockholm. Where Peppy, Carlson and other childhood “friends” was born.
•  I saw sunset in miracle city.
•  I travelled by the Ship and become a storyteller.

28^th of September Rietavas was celebration there day, called Mykolinės. We also have such kind of festival called “Art-Geni”, the difference is that we don’t have procession and it lasts one week. I think Procession made this day happier for me, everyone was together going like a train, with smile on the faces and wear uniforms: College, Musical School, Youth Center and Other people… we made a circle around the city and then reach our destination. In this moment I had a great feeling, I was waving Georgian flag. People were looking through the window; clapping and shouting. In the end of this, we came to a nice place. There were many entertainments. People were selling products, national food and drinks… Children were running, playing, eating candies… and at the end of the day it was a concert and youngsters have fun all night. It’s strange but people say that on this day the sun is shining always very brightly. I checked the weather on this day and it was 90% raining, it means that it will exactly rain, but luckily it was sunny day. During the fun Egidijus (Youth affairs coordinator in Rietavas municipality) came to me and offer me to join him and his college’s to the table where a lot of national food and drinks was. When we come there, everyone was smiling and asking me to eat or drink something. Egidijus tell me about his journey in Georgia, it was many times ago, I was 3-4 years old when he was in Georgia, but he still remember everything clearly and like a film imagine everything. Egidijus was in love with Georgian mountains and people. He thinks that we are very kindness and hospitable People. They also had guests from Germany and all people in this table know my country.

I was listening carefully and feel very proud about all they were saying. Even youngsters were surprised with such replay and love of old peoples about Georgia. One man came and when Egidijus said that I was from Georgia, he was very happy, he begun to talk with me very kindness voice. He said a lot of good thing to me. I think Lithuanian people love Georgia most of all other countries of post soviet union. We had the same past and I hope we will have the same future… I want to see my country in EU and really Strong and Independent, without Russians soldiers in our land. I hope someday my dream will come true:)

At the end of this post I want to tell something about my volunteering service in Rietavas. I was looking on Facebook Photos of other volunteers in Vilnius and Kaunas. They have more fun here.. but it’s normal : ) I want to mention one very important thing : I am really happy to be here, in Rietavas, because as I read somewhere “If you want to know country, people and traditions you must start it with little cities …” and here is my answer to everyone who asks me every time “Isn’t it barring to live here? “ or “ Oh, my god! You will be here one year? It’s boring”.. No way! Everything has there pluses. It’s defending on you, how you can see thing. You must appreciate time and properly use what is around you.

Iki, Pasimatysime : )

I was thinking what to write and decided to tell you little story’s what happened to me in this 2 week:

  I was in Vilnius for my on arrival training, I met a lot of people, volunteers like me from different countries and that  was really awesome feeling, when I heard someone was speaking in Georgian Language, I feel so happy. There was one Georgian girl and this was first time we said hello in our language in Lithuania. This training was very helpful. I come “home” with less fears: my thoughts that I can’t walk and get tired easily, disappeared and I don’t know why but when we were canoeing throw the lakes and rivers I don’t feel bad Because I don’t know how to swim but with my trainer I feel calm and happy. I enjoyed this time..

 When our training was over I stay in Vilnius with my Georgian friends. It was the best three days..  All day we were walking in the streets, try to see all beauty of Vilnius. I like this city very much, especially Uzupis. We visit museums too and most emotional for me was K.G.B museum. I was really shocked, I knew history but when I was there and look all things and prison.. I thanked god that it was only museum and now everything is fine 

 I missed one really good moment. On the way to Vilnius, I met Lithuanian woman she was speaking in Russian too, so we have a very good conversation. She gave me good advises about Lithuania, how to live, what to buy and eat and such king of stuff. She was really kind woman, she gave me advises like she was telling this to his daughter. It’s a pity that I don’t ask her name, but I will remember her always.

  One funniest moment of being in Rietavas : I was sitting and writing something in the diary in my language , when youngster  ( I don’t want to write his name here) come to me and looked at notebook , I was sitting calm and don’t close it because he didn’t know what was written there. He was looking and tell something to others, everyone begun laughing … only we were looking with the face “what’s up?” When they stop laughing one of them tell to him that I was Georgian and that was my mother tongue.  I understand what’s happened he thought that “this circles” was created by me. It was really Funny : ))

P.s : Great thanks all of you..  for reading this post  .. 🙂

I found the seminar very well in the week, got to know new people and have a lot of experience along. For the time I’m fine, I only bit of problems with my knee but otherwise good.