Vilnius again

A small airport with a feeling of a train station. Wide streets, northern lights, old style buildings and not so many people around.

It feels bizarre entering Vilnius once again. A feeling like the end of the world is approaching. Of course Vilnius is only the excuse, not the cause. It is me generating these feelings.

Or perhaps it is also the bath tub parked in the garage.

But the first memory of Vilnius soon comes back, that of Captain Ramius of Red October. Handsome, smart, in control. And native of Vilnius, that he abandoned forever. That Vilnius was an exotic place behind the iron curtain, mysterious. 

Today's Vilnius, the only one I know, is richer, clean, growing. EU flags show the renovation projects funded by Brussels. In 5 months the Euro will replace the Litas. Euroscepticism does not belong here. Yet.

While reestablishing familiarity with old friends whom I should see more often, the best youth of Vilnius is preparing to hit the town, beautiful, well dressed, queuing to get into the best bar in town, ordering the best Spritz and Mojito. But we are not part of Generation Y, we will go to a much better place just next door.