Lithuania
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Travel Tips
I've only read the "Europe on a Shoestring" book but feel it needs only a minor correction for the country entry "Lithuania". I happen to live in Lithuania (not as a local) but you state it's no problem travelling without your passport. I think by alll means it's a far safer solution to carry your passport at all times, especially when trying to do the cheaper things like take public transport. They have their own bus police etc, but upon finding you are a tourist it is possible, but not likely, if you don't have your passport or an EU card you can be interned in cells while they ring your embassy. This can take all afternoon or as long as they like, bearing in mind only a few sparodic countries actually hold embassies in Lithuania. It's not a big chance of it happening, but if it does it can more than fuck up your day.. or the next few days. The police can also ask you for your passport at anytime, the prime motivation seems to be scaring you into giving them money. They are trying to eradicate this in entirety and it will probably pass in a few years but without ID you'red pretty much fucked, if the worst case scenario actually realises.
Frank Dowling, Lithuania (Oct 05)
Kaunas: There is new information center in the city. Right in front of the train station ( M. K. Èiurlionio 15). The staff are really friendly, they speak a few languages and can arrange you inexpensive accommodation.
Anna Sikala, Poland (Sep 05)
Moving About
Bus route #1 from the train station to the airport in Vilnius no longer terminates at the airport, but continues to the suburb of Kirtimai. When the bus returns from Kirtimai to pick up passengers from the airport to the city centre, it brings with it a gloomy bunch of local drunks of various ages, at least on late Saturday afternoons.
Rolf Palmberg, Finland (Jul 05)
Yarns, Fables & Anecdotes
We went to see a performance of the Blue Danube by the Lithuanian National Ballet. Whilst their performance was not up to the standard you would expect in this country the enthusiasm the whole country seems to have for this type of entertainment is staggering. Costing only £2-3 see a performance there were all manner of people going in to see it. Coach loads of kids arrived who all behaved impeccably, including the younger boys who you would normally think would not have wanted to be associated with such a "girly" pass-time. Everyone loved it! It was fantastic to see people so passionate about it - they were delighted we were joining them to go and see it.
Sue Ravenhall, UK (Mar 01)
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