Un-Expectations

Allow me to share three unexpected things about Lithuania. First, it has a disproportionate number of shoe shops. People say that in the US there is a Starbucks on every corner. Here, the Vente Vanilla Latte lost the battle to chic shoes. While I find the number of stores to be unusual, I must say that good shoes are a fabulous investment for the normal Lithuanian who walks quickly around her city in the snow, slush, and ice - likely a better investment than a caffeine addiction.

Second, naked boy statues abound - ok fine, in Klaipeda I've only seen three but I've heard of others elsewhere (e.g. Siauliai) and there is a lot of time to discover more. The few I've met in Klaipedia are small and joyful boys with the same offbeat humor that many other statues here have. For instance, I've also encountered a life sized lucky mouse in Senamiestis (Old Town) and a lantern-bearing ghost climbing out of the water near the harbor.

Finally, I can sing to most of the music in clubs, supermarkets, and restaurants because these places often play songs Americans hear on MTV or classic rock stations. I'm not sure whether I should be comforted or disturbed to have Katy Perry as a traveling companion. In any case, it was ridiculously fun to join a building packed with Lithuanians in singing music from Springsteen to Nirvana to Jet this weekend. I even danced with one random, friendly Lithuanian fellow. Thank goodness he didn't try to speak with me - or maybe I just didn't hear him over the noise!

Kurpiai Jazz Club - which didn't play jazz..