Jiggle Jam '09

Memorial Day weekend was time for the second annual Jiggle Jam in Kansas City. Carter had a blast last year, so we headed off to see some of his favorite musicians again: They Might be Giants and Justin Roberts. The day included some of his other favorites: his buddy Hayden, bouncy things, and a puppet show.

Carter particularly enjoyed TMBG's confetti cannon and song "Alphabet of Nations," during which he pointed to the location of all of the countries as if he was looking at a map (see the last photo below). He also went up to the front and cut a rug during Justin Roberts' "Willie was a Whale."

Thank you to Jeannie, Hayden's mom, for the photos!

Lithuania Adventure, Part 8: Final Images

The weather was glorious on Erik's last day in Lithuania, and he spent some time strolling about making final observations. An important landmark that Erik had not yet visited was the Hill of the Three Crosses. Legend says that the monument was originally erected to honor Franciscan monks who were murdered by local pagans in the 14th century. While this story may not be true, an early 20th century monument was destroyed in the Soviet period, and a new version was restored in 1989 as the Soviet Union was approaching its collapse.




The top of the Hill of the Three Crosses features another fantastic view of the Old Town, probably the best in Vilnius. Erik was blissfully alone at the summit; none of the German tourists who dominate the hotel's breakfast buffet were anywhere in sight.






While Erik's attention was generally focused on the panorama, he also noticed a fellow visitor on the ground - a large snail returning home into a crack in the pavement.

It took a week, but Erik finally made it to the main market when it was open. There is perhaps no better window into daily life than the market. He wandered about, snapping photos and watching people go about their business. After packing up and having a meal at Alaus Namai, it will be off to the airport for the trip home.

Lithuania Adventure, Part 7: Raining on the Parade

Erik held his final work-related meeting Saturday morning, and began preparing to return home for a brief visit before the next overseas jaunt. The weather was rather inhospitable, with brief periods of sunlight interrupted by torrents of rain. While the intensity does not rival Kansas gully washers, it made strolling about town a bit unpleasant. In any case, Erik explored the artsy area of Vilnius: Uzupis. The photo above is the grand Gothic St. Anne's, along the route to Uzupis.


An angel greets visitors to Uzupis, a charming neighborhood located across the Vilnia river, a small tributary of the Neris.


The Bernardine Cemetery was established in the early 19th century. Like Lychakiv Cemetery in L'viv, the Bernardine Cemetery features many interred Poles (unsurprising given the history of the two cities). As Erik was strolling through the cemetery, a strong rain began to fall, prompting him to seek shelter in the Old Town area.


The rain encouraged Erik to enjoy an early lunch. He has fastidiously avoided the Lithuanian specialty: "zeppelins" (cepelinai). Lea ordered a thoroughly inedible version of the dish during the last visit. But, Erik felt that zeppelins deserved at least one more try (even Andrew Zimmern gives every dish a couple of bites). The zeppelins were better than he remembered, and reminded him a bit of halushki (the Slovak national dish). Erik's "traditional" zeppelins featured the standard potato-based dough around a filling made from ground meat with minimal seasoning. Traditional zeppelins are boiled and served with a sauce of sour cream and pork bits. They were a hearty lunch on a brisk, rainy day.


As the rain was falling, Erik returned to Gedimino Street. Off in the distance, he heard the unmistakable sounds of a marching band. He followed the music until he discovered a political rally in the form of a parade. While Lithuania's presidential election is over, European parliamentary elections will be held on June 7. Young people affiliated with the Liberal and Center Union marched down the street, carrying banners, playing instruments, and cheering.


No political rally/parade would be complete without cheerleaders. One of Erik and Lea's most amusing memories of Vilnius is Omnitel's deployment of cheerleaders to encourage new customers to commit to a cell phone contract. In this photo, polka-dot clad young ladies show off their moves to the marching band's rendition of "Rock Around the Clock." While the symbolic implication of this tune is probably lost on the crowd ("our party will take you back to the '50s" - not a good decade for Lithuania), it seemed to be one of a handful of songs that the band had mastered.

Erik's trip ends tomorrow, with a trip home interrupted by a long layover in Frankfurt.

Gone Fishin'

While Erik is away in beautiful Vilnius, Lea and Carter have been enjoying nature. On Wednesday, Carter, Lea and Lea's parents hiked around Mary's Lake at Prairie Park. Carter was really excited to use the new binoculars that his grandparents brought. He also fished for algae with a stick, an activity he frequently enjoys there.

But Thursday, he got to fish for real fish, and he was truly excited to go fishing for the first time. We took him to Deanna Rose Farm, where Carter and grandpa fished in a catch and release pond. Carter had a blast, and caught 14 fish!

Lithuania Adventure, Part 6: Ways of Seeing

The landscape of Vilnius does not fit very well within the limitations of Erik's lens. He has been playing with Photoshop's ability to merge images, however, and they give a different perspective on the city. This post features three photos from the square around the Town Hall (Rotushe) taken from different perspectives. Hopefully they give you a better sense of Vilnius' charm when viewed together. Click on the panoramic picture to get a full elliptical view.