Nearly two months since I've last posted and quite a few things have happened! Traveled to Prague for a long weekend getaway, started a boot camp program, signed up for a half-marathon, and enjoyed several late night kebab outings. The Lithuanian winter hung on until the last bitter cold moment in mid-April but now I am so excited to walk outside without a heavy coat and boots (although I still see women wearing gloves while I envision wearing flip flops!).
So....Prague! What a beautiful and historic city! It was my first time visiting and I can truly say that it is one of my favorite European cities. From the architecture, sites, old cobblestone streets, food, and of course the beer, I was enamored by it all. Although we had a few items on our list of 'must-sees' in the city, my favorite thing that we did was getting lost among the numerous side streets. During our first night walking adventure, we stumbled across a chain restaurant that is highly recognized by nearly every traveller. The famous Hard Rock Cafe. I must admit that normally we try to stay away from chain restaurants in countries outside the US, however, we were highly inclined to visit this establishment for two important reasons. First, Damian collects Hard Rock Cafe shirts from every country he visits that has one. And second, we were both craving, and I mean literally salivating-at-the-mouth craving, the delicious nachos that the restaurant serves! The restaurant did not disappoint and we devoured the nachos in record time.
About a month before traveling to Prague, I signed up for a boot camp program led by a Marine Staff Sergeant at the embassy. While a member at Bally's in Arlington, I participated in one boot camp class and I nearly fainted because the workout was so vigorous and intense. So, I had to think seriously before I actually started another boot camp program, led by no other than a hard core Marine. Similar to my first boot camp experience, my second time around I almost fainted in the middle of class after the first round of exercises. Yikes! However, I continued attending the 6am classes three times a week because I wanted to push myself and I knew that I wouldn't the same way on my own otherwise. The classes were grueling and I was sweating profusely but I always felt better afterwards. And now, I feel like I dream about burpies! And, if signing up for a boot camp wasn't enough exercise, I also signed up for a half-marathon in May. Double yikes. I'm training for it now and let me tell you, it is hard! I'm used to running short distances, but long distance running is a whole other beast.
Even though I'm on an exercise high, that doesn't mean I've sacrificed myself completely to only healthy eating. Once in a while, usually after a late night of fun, I splurge and satiate my appetite for kebabs. There are several hole in the wall, cheap establishments that offer kebabs with various sauces and spiced french fries. Eating your first kebab in Vilnius is sort of like a right of passage. And, just like the Lay's potato chip mantra, 'you can't eat just one,' you will return to kebabs time and time again. Kebabs are definitely the late night food that people flock to in Vilnius, sort of like Jumbo Slice pizza in Washington, DC or Del Taco/Alejandro's Mexican food in southern California. And, luckily for me, there is a kebab place within close walking distance of our apartment.
And, to end this post, two final stories. First, I must admit that much to my previous aversion to this particular board game, I have learned to truly enjoy and appreciate 'Settlers of Catan.' When I first came across this board game about one year ago, I thought it was so boring and complicated and nonsensical. Now, one year later and in Lithuania of all places, I've found myself playing this game on several occasions! If you've never heard of this game or never played it, I highly recommend it! And for the second story, people here LOVE fur. As a California girl, the only wearable fur I saw was in my mom's closet, the furs she had from back in the day Romania. People just did not wear fur in California, not only because it didn't get cold enough but PETA was just around the corner ready to throw paint. But, here in eastern Europe, men and women wear fur throughout the entire winter season. And, I'm not just talking about a small shawl or fur rimmed hat, I'm talking about the real deal, full length coats and huge fur hats. Recently, I went with a group to a local fur shop that was having significant end of season discounts and decided to try a few items on for fun. Although I didn't buy anything, I definitely took pictures with several pieces!
So....Prague! What a beautiful and historic city! It was my first time visiting and I can truly say that it is one of my favorite European cities. From the architecture, sites, old cobblestone streets, food, and of course the beer, I was enamored by it all. Although we had a few items on our list of 'must-sees' in the city, my favorite thing that we did was getting lost among the numerous side streets. During our first night walking adventure, we stumbled across a chain restaurant that is highly recognized by nearly every traveller. The famous Hard Rock Cafe. I must admit that normally we try to stay away from chain restaurants in countries outside the US, however, we were highly inclined to visit this establishment for two important reasons. First, Damian collects Hard Rock Cafe shirts from every country he visits that has one. And second, we were both craving, and I mean literally salivating-at-the-mouth craving, the delicious nachos that the restaurant serves! The restaurant did not disappoint and we devoured the nachos in record time.
Prague Old Town
Large Baby Sculptures with Computer Chip Heads
Even though I'm on an exercise high, that doesn't mean I've sacrificed myself completely to only healthy eating. Once in a while, usually after a late night of fun, I splurge and satiate my appetite for kebabs. There are several hole in the wall, cheap establishments that offer kebabs with various sauces and spiced french fries. Eating your first kebab in Vilnius is sort of like a right of passage. And, just like the Lay's potato chip mantra, 'you can't eat just one,' you will return to kebabs time and time again. Kebabs are definitely the late night food that people flock to in Vilnius, sort of like Jumbo Slice pizza in Washington, DC or Del Taco/Alejandro's Mexican food in southern California. And, luckily for me, there is a kebab place within close walking distance of our apartment.
Kebabs! Couldn't even put down the kebab for a picture!
And, to end this post, two final stories. First, I must admit that much to my previous aversion to this particular board game, I have learned to truly enjoy and appreciate 'Settlers of Catan.' When I first came across this board game about one year ago, I thought it was so boring and complicated and nonsensical. Now, one year later and in Lithuania of all places, I've found myself playing this game on several occasions! If you've never heard of this game or never played it, I highly recommend it! And for the second story, people here LOVE fur. As a California girl, the only wearable fur I saw was in my mom's closet, the furs she had from back in the day Romania. People just did not wear fur in California, not only because it didn't get cold enough but PETA was just around the corner ready to throw paint. But, here in eastern Europe, men and women wear fur throughout the entire winter season. And, I'm not just talking about a small shawl or fur rimmed hat, I'm talking about the real deal, full length coats and huge fur hats. Recently, I went with a group to a local fur shop that was having significant end of season discounts and decided to try a few items on for fun. Although I didn't buy anything, I definitely took pictures with several pieces!
Hmmmmm.......
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