In transit....Lithuania to India...

Didn't get to sleep last night until 2am....foolish given that I'll be travelling for 24 hours. Am presently sitting in the Vilnius airport.....actually waiting for a man from the New Generation church here (Vita) to stop by and chat for half an hour. Last night Kit called a Latvian friend of hers...that she took to the National Prayer Breakfast some years ago...named Vadim who is normally in the US but was in Riga Latvia last night. He is associated with New Generation Churches there and here in Lithuania. Vadim called me at Marlene's apartment in Klaipeda, and asked if another New Generation pastor (either one from Klaipeda or Vilnius) might talk with me about their desire to begin some Christian higher education in this area. They did not connect with me through Marlene this morning, but want to connect here. Unfortunately, I had my phone on "silent" all morning on the bus from Klaipeda to Vilnius so didn't hear his calls until I got to the airport. He says he can still come over and be here an hour from now and leave us 30 minutes to talk before I must go through security.


The bus ride was comfortable....Marlene left me as the bus pulled in to the station....a new bus, tall, spacious, clean, modern! There were only 6 passengers on a 60 passenger bus! Space was obviously no problem. I kept my suitcase and handbag and food with me. But I didn't eat at all because tho I felt fine when I awakened, taking pills on an empty stomach turned it. So I have been queasy all morning...not interested in that nice bread and cheese and tangerines and grapefruit drink Becky bought with me at the grocery last night. I even kept my jacket and topcoat and gloves on the whole ride.... It wasn't THAT cold but I wanted to lean against the window and it was drafty. I think I must have slept on 3 separate occasions for an 30-45 minutes....from Klaipeda to a special bus stop with WC facilities I SHOULD have used. Then again between that stop and Kaunas...220km...then again during the final 90 minutes. After two Pepcids and the sleep I felt better. The bus station in Vilnius was interesting (sic!)....the paid facilities were not commodious (sic!)(sic!). I know....TMI. Reminded me of the bus stop we made in the Gaza strip headed to Cairo in 1982. Whew!









The train station was across the street from the bus terminal and the 7 minute train ride to the airport was on a beautiful brand new "subway style" train that was empty except me and one young woman. The airport was a short covered walk from the train station....Every time I visit Europe (even EASTERN Europe) I am saddened at how ineffective U.S. public transport is. How much we would save the environment and perhaps even become more community minded if we were willing to forfeit our freedom to come and go "when we please."


I hope Vita does not delay my entry into the concourse....but will be interested to meet him....I have no idea what New Generation churches are....may Google them while I'm waiting....