I have arrived in Zarasai, close to the Latvian border! Today's ride from Vilnius (170 km) was grey and rainy, but i had mostly back winds so I could sail at a steady pace of +30km/h over the ongoing gently rolling hills of Lithuanian countryside.
Lithuania: authenticity with a somewhat unpleasant edge. In the rural areas, time seems to stand still. The colourful wooden houses, the tranquil hamlets, the weathered barns hidden into the landscape, the desolate roads: It's a true bliss for the 21st century touring cyclist silently longing for what is real, pure and untouched.
The reality behind all this beauty is less picturesque I guess. At second glance, a lot of houses betray a high degree of deprivation. Agricultural or other activity seems sparse in the whole Lithuanian countryside. it's even unclear if the houses are actually still inhabited. Possibly not: in the last two decades, the country's population declined from almost 3.5 to less than 3 million.
What I have to wish for those left behind? A car? A life in the city or abroad? And what about the authenticity? The road windingly continues its endless way while i am wondering about all this ...
Thank you Lithuania for being part of my journey, Latvia tomorrow!
Lithuania: authenticity with a somewhat unpleasant edge. In the rural areas, time seems to stand still. The colourful wooden houses, the tranquil hamlets, the weathered barns hidden into the landscape, the desolate roads: It's a true bliss for the 21st century touring cyclist silently longing for what is real, pure and untouched.
The reality behind all this beauty is less picturesque I guess. At second glance, a lot of houses betray a high degree of deprivation. Agricultural or other activity seems sparse in the whole Lithuanian countryside. it's even unclear if the houses are actually still inhabited. Possibly not: in the last two decades, the country's population declined from almost 3.5 to less than 3 million.
What I have to wish for those left behind? A car? A life in the city or abroad? And what about the authenticity? The road windingly continues its endless way while i am wondering about all this ...
Thank you Lithuania for being part of my journey, Latvia tomorrow!