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My first night of sleeping poorly. Naturally. I don't travel all that well; my stomach is in knots. I worry about everything. With all the travelling I do - from an overnight trip to Virginia, to our yearly spring visits to Florida, to two weeks in Germany, you'd think I'd manage better. But I don't. Anyhow, it guarantees that I am up at 5 A.M., as planned.
I get Mom and her luggage downstairs just as Adrijus arrives. I leave them and go up for my luggage. All the elevators we have used are quite small, so it is much easier to take two trips. And I can do my compulsive check through the drawers and cupboards, and under the furniture. Then we load the car and head out.
But before heading to the airport, we visit two monuments that include family names. The relatives forgot to tell us about these. Can you imagine taking heroism so naturally that you forget to mention such honors?
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First is a granite wall beside the Vytautas Museum of Military History, in Vienybes square. We have passed this wall several times during our stay without knowing it was a memorial. But Adrijus shows us what we missed. |  |
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This is the name of Mama's father, Juozas Kancleris (reversed for the older European version), my great grandfather, who is honored because he defended Lithuanian identity and fought to preserve the Lithuanian language, Lithuanian literature, and Lithuanian culture. Well, actually it is his name but apparently refers ot another man by the same name but from Marijampole. But I know that this honors my great grandfather - intentionally or not! |
Then we go to Ramybes park, right next to the Museum of Exiles and Political Prisoners. And Ona, Roze, Jonas, Kestutis, and Darius greet us. We find the monument to Antanas Kazlauskas, their father, grandfather, great grandfather - the husband of Mama's sister Ona. He was shot by the occupying forces in 1941 (I never found out if it was the Germans or the Soviets - they each took turns occupying and devastating the area then). I find it interesting that the monument has a design similar to our Vietnam era peace symbol. How appropriate.
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This is the name of Mama's sister's husband, Antanas Kazlauskas, who is honored here because he died in defense of Lithuanian. |
What a way to end our pilgrimage 'home" to Lithuania.
When we all get to Karmelava airport, Elyte and Vytas greet us, then Antanas arrives. These people have taken busses to see us off at 6:30 in the morning! I don't know how Ona, Roze, and Jonas got to Ramybes park. Probably also by bus, unless Adrijus dropped them off before he came to get us. Amazing. This would not happen a t home. I'm sure it is in honor of Mom, who is the actually the doyene of the family: the oldest living Kanclerai family member. And the representative of the branch of the family that was missing for so long. Even after we kiss goodbye and go through check-in, they wave from the lobby while we wait at the gate. Quite a send-off. I will really miss this new-found family and this fantastic country.
We have a pleasant flight to Palanga, then Hamburg. We sadly say farewell to Lithuania as we pass the Neringa peninsular. I do hope our luggage is really checked through Hamburg to Gatwick. They did not have computers at the airport so hand-wrote the tags. The planes are small (12 rows of 2+2 seats and 1 row of 2 seats) but very comfortable with helpful stewardesses. The way the plane sort of sashays on the runway is a bit disconcerting but obviously safe. And the flights are either on time or early. How unusual. Also unusual, but good, is the breakfast: juice; coffee; roll; tomato and Lithuanian cheese; a ramekin of rice, chicken, mushroom, and peppers; cucumber and ham slices, chocolate/vanilla pudding, and chocolate candy.
In Hamburg, a van takes just us to the terminal. They assure us that our luggage has gone through customs and is on the plane for Gatwick. But we have a short wait until the wheelchair comes for Mom. She reads while I walk around a bit. There are quite a few dogs - all well-behaved and well-groomed - inside. This is never allowed in the U.S., especially as these pups are not about to be passengers; they are here to help meet traveling friends. I'm tempted by an ice cream stand. But I have litu, pounds sterling, and dollars - no marks. So my reluctance to try to exchange $5 saves my waistline. The wheelchair arrives; we breeze through customs, and get on the plane for London. I think I'll take a cane and request assistance next time we fly!
Once again, the Deutsche British Air flight is not actually scheduled to use a runway. Does it always surprise this airline that every flight must take off? Oh well, it is comfortable plane (22 rows of 3+3 seating) with very nice leather seats. We have all three seats, so I move to the aisle. I don't even care that we leave 25 minutes late because we have no connection to make. We have a light lunch of a sort of German baguette with butter, thick cheese slices, and red pepper - and wine. Dessert is a lemon poppyseed muffin with sugar crystal on top. Gee I love food! We get to see "The Wash" as we come in over Norwich, England to Gatwick.
A gentleman greets us with a wheelchair and takes us to one of those buggies. Easy bit through customs and to baggage claim. But our baggage isn't there! He takes us to the British Air counter, where I file a claim and they assure me they will have our cases to us soon. AARGH!! This would have to be the first time I have ever had a luggage problem! Oh well, we get a cab to Prinsted House, the B&B that Chuck and I always use here. Mom gets to see a bit of an English village, but is glad to get settled in our room. She needs a nap.
I call Chuck. Gosh, it is so good to hear his voice. I think this is close to the longest we have ever been apart. Back in the room, we watch Lithuania come this close to beating the US in the semifinals of the Olympic basketball (krepsini). Then I head to the pub, Ye Olde Six Bells, to have a half pint. I take the long way there, through the neighborhood, then down the main road, across, and through the churchyard. I get my half of Hancocks HB and walk out back to the stream. I lean in the old willow and look toward the stream and fields. I've been here so often with Chuck that I feel almost home. If only he were here! I enjoy my ale (which is not as good as the Lithuania alus I've had - but then again it's not Yorkshire) and walk back to Mom. We tell the landlady that we are hoping our luggage meets us here, and we head for dinner. I can tell that Mom is not comfortable crossing this main road (the A23, actually). Not only is it heavy commuting traffic coming from what, to her, is the wrong and confusing direction, but we have spent over 2 weeks living on a pedestrian mall and not having to worry about traffic.
I treat Mom to a totally English dinner: Cod and chips and two halves of Fuller's London Pride, then halves of Guinness for dessert. We have a nice, relaxed evening in the pub. Then walk home. Still no luggage but word from BA that one case is on its way here. I go out to just watch the stars and get some air, and my suitcase arrives. I'm so glad that our special souvenirs, especially Mama's mother's linen, are now safe. And so to bed.
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