Arriving in Lithuania

As our tiny plane was landing in Lithuania, I could not stop myself from grinning like an idiot. (Something I think a random Lithuanian guy took the wrong way...) Anyway, Natalija was there to pick us up and take us to taxi. All of a sudden, (I feel like I've been saying that a lot lately) we hear what sounds like a full orchestra playing what sounds like some sort of national anthem. Natalija explained that two of the Lithuanian Olympians had returned. Then a huge crowd poured out of the airport, flashbulbs exploding, people shouting, silver balloons bouncing...The Olympians had huge wreaths around their necks and smiles on their faces as they enjoyed the well deserved adoration of their countrymen.

The taxi drove us to the hostel where we met some of the directors and interns and were given a snack. Then they took us took us to our room. Jaclyn and I exchange forced smiles, not knowing what to expect. The door swung open and we took in our surroundings. Two short very short boxy beds whose shape reminded me vaguely of coffins, a tiny lone mirror about the size of a mini van window, and a trash can. But, since our room seems to be a deluxe version, we have a tv whose screen is smaller than my laptop's and a single shower crammed in the corner. A single shower which is completely translucent. Or was, in any case. I was able to rig some sort of curtain using towels, a carabiner, a binder clip, and bobby pins.

Well, I'm ready to go to sleep, I have a big today tomorrow and a lot of places I'll need to be on time (wince.) Later.