Fertig gebummelt

Now I have leisurely wasted some time in beautiful Lithuania (on purpose). But as they say: I am on vacation, not on the run. And the days in Lithuania have done me good. Nevertheless, I want to visit all three Baltic countries and see all the capital cities. That's why I made the decision yesterday to drive through quickly today and dedicate myself to Riga tomorrow, the capital of Latvia and the largest city in the Baltics.

Even though it's going fast - and the roads allow it for once - one attraction must not be missed, the Hill of Crosses. It is somewhat of a Lithuanian national shrine. It is impressive to see how hopes, wishes, and prayers converge at this place and to imagine all the destinies and personal concerns behind them.

A few kilometers later, I cross the green, unguarded border into Latvia. The landscape changes immediately. Many ruins, decaying properties, industrial wastelands. I have rarely seen something like this in all of Lithuania. Let's see if that holds true. The people also seem to be different to me. But that's just a brief impression from my leisurely walk I took.

For a change, I treated myself to a hotel. It's Midsummer Festival and all the campsites are completely overcrowded because all the Baltic people want to be outside on these nights. So now I'm enjoying the luxury of two nights on the eighth floor, high above Riga! And tomorrow I'll explore the city!

PS: A little funny addition. This morning my passport was gone! I actually have a clear organization in the car. The passport always has to be in the same place in the cockpit. The departure check is always the same: walk around the vehicle - Everything securely tightened? Everything packed? - Then the bag check: wallet, keys, phone, passport? PASSPORT!!!! The passport is missing. Now the search begins. At first, the rummaging is a bit random. The clock is ticking. It's shortly after 10. I have to be outside by 12 because it's Midsummer Festival and all... Eventually, I realize that panic won't help and systematic work is now necessary. So. Unload the fully packed car again, set up the roof tent again, search everything systematically, nothing. Eventually, I give up. Fortunately, I don't need a passport for the trip, the ID is enough. But as a crisis manager, I'm used to having redundancies. Jäno, it doesn't help. Now everything is packed again. As a last step, I put the toiletry bag in my backpack because I'm going to the hotel in the evening. Oh dear, the toiletry bag, it can't be... Yes, it is. After my shower yesterday, I went to the shower. Unplanned, I still had the passport with me and for safety's sake, I put it in the toiletry bag. Long story short: I was the happiest man in Lithuania :-) It's so easy to make me happy. Alright, now it's really the end for today.