Veisiejai Local Customs

I found this totem-like basis of statue in front of St. George's church in Veisiejai.

Some Lithuanian chapels, statues looked similar (at least in high and thin shape) to tribal totem poles built by Native Americans of the Northwest America. Lithuanian influences in North America or opposite?

Haha, not at all, although... who knows... Lithuania ---> Scandinavia (Vikings) ---> Greenland ---> North America and back. Hmm... maybe the idea of carving long tree trunks was born independently in both areas seperated by the Atlantic Ocean. I mean the idea might be created by tribes of both Native Americans and pagan Baltic people.

There was wooden entrance to Veisiejai Regional Park (or more exactly, its Administration) in city park.

At first, it looked strange for me, that they always put a turtle as a logo of the park. I thought there were no turtles living there but some snails. Well, maybe travelling around was as slow and lazy as turtle's moving. Then, I got to know that there were pond turtles living in the park. I didn't know and I didn't meet them.

Keep in mind that we say (in Slavic languages) about "a turtle's pave" instead of English "a snail's pace", "turtle's mail" instead of "snail mail" etc. Hmm... turtles are slower than snails, right? But they didn't live when and where English language was born.

Windows of local houses were always equipped with sheer curtains and always were curtained. Some patterned curtains looked like hand made.

It was not the Netherlands... I can't forget windows of numerous houses in the Netherlands, say in Amsterdam. The windows, even on the ground floor, were never curtained. There was no closed shutters, no nets or sheer curtains in the windows. Hmm... didn't they like any privacy?

They changed almost all cars in Lithuania from Zsiguli (Lada), Moskvich etc. to, mainly older western European (mostly German - Audi on my picture) and newer Japanese cars. There were luxary limousines as well but few and none in Veisiejai - it was not Moscow in any way.

Since Lithuania joined European Union on 1 May 2004 there are no customs for cars imported from any EU member. I could see few (more soon, I am sure) older cars imported after that date from say Germany, Netherlands etc. They had characteristic temporary registration (license) plates: red numbers on white. Well, I could see more and more such cars in Poland, as well recently (July 2004).

It took me some time to find any original Soviet car in Veisiejai in 2004 but I found it parked close to city Town Hall: original, elephant-yellow Soviet Lada called Zsiguli in former Soviet Union in contrast to different, better (but still poor) quality Lada produced for export. I am enough old to remember Zsiguli's countries from 70' and 80': esp. the Soviet Union, Hungary and Bolgaria. Really, brilliant example of the best quality of powerful state of ever lasting happines which ruled over half of our globe.

This is a bus stop in Veisiejai. Previously it was cement, monumental and ugly bus shelter typical in former Soviet Union. But, look, they added light, sloping roof above. Now, the shelter looked much better.

Are they going to roof all Soviet style bus shelters in Lithuania? Great idea! And do not forget to paint them, please :-). Hmm... what about post-Soviet huge and ugly apartment buildings, numerous in cities and towns?

Hmm... I met only this one young woman, on my picture, in the city park and she was sitting between two wooden statues (hmm... their shapes reminded... auto-censored) and was... doing nothing.

Just in case... I have a few ideas on what to do there. Do you want the whole list or top 5? OK, my top 5:
1. NOTHING,
2. Lying on a grass (sleeping - awaking - eating - drinking - sleeping again),
3. Playing/training (football, badminton),
4. Walking/hiking/jogging,
5. Censored by VT (it's a family page :-).

In the USA a grass in public parks is just for walking/sitting/liying on it. It's a part of American lifestyle. Am I wrong ? Walking on grass is usually banned in Europe, except in especially disignated and marked areas haha.

But, no worries, city park in Veisiejai was in "American style" :-). Although you are in the heart of Europe, do walk on the grass!