In Love with Life: The Land of Opportunities

Good morning,

For the past month I had a pleasure to visit my homeland-Lithuania. During these very rapidly changing times to reach it felt like a real adventure.

Everydays changing news about which country meant to be red, yellow or orange were deciding the fate for my planned trip.

Well, it happened to be that life was just checking how much I really wanted to visit Lithuania. And after a long adventure me and Rafael managed to cross the border and arrive safely to the best spot in Lithuania- Druskininkai, my hometown.

Everytime when I go back I love to see the ones I missed and spend some quality time, I love to go to my beloved forest, I love to go and eat little things I missed and enjoy saunas or other indoor entertainment. However, for the last ones I was banned from the list. Literally.

At this moment to be unvaccinated in Lithuania means that you are not allowed to go to cafes, bars, hairdressers, charity shops and most of the supermarkets. And if you turn on the local news which happened to be switched on at my parents as the background music each night you start hearing words that are so full of anger and frustration. The goverment is pushing with every propaganda to get 'your saving lifes' dose. And if it happens that you have a different opinion, you are the bad one, the betrayer, the selfish one, the one that doesn't believe in science.

When you go to the supermarket, the one where you are allowed, instead of the music you hear more pushing ads about how to live your life.

Now, I understand we live in pandemic times. I understand that some people are dying, that some people are working their asses in hospitals. I understand that some people want to get a vaccine and perhaps it saved some. And personally, i am not anti vaccer or pro vaccer. It just happens to be I am not vaccinated at the moment. But what I really don't like is this crazy propaganda, this crazy push, when the vaccine is not mandatory.

We all have a right to choose, no? It didn't feel like it.

Everywhere I went they asked me for so called 'opportunity pass'. So instead of going to see my friend performing in the concert, instead of celebrating the birthday of my close friend, instead of getting some warmer clothes for the cold autumn, I had to stay either at home or in my beloved forest.

I don't want to hurt anybody with this post and personally my familly and friends really accepted me but my heart sank while being in Lithuania. Stories of division, separations, frustration, anger are so common. It's not the pandemic we should fight but the division. How can we learn to accept each other opinions? How can we all learn be loving instead of judging?

When I heard on the news that the government is considering not to accept unvaccinated people in hospitals I felt so sad. Is this how we control each other? Is this how Lithuania is choosing to be?

In the past I used to avoid the topics of food because I am vegan and sometimes people would make stupid jokes about it. Then it all passed. Then the politics started to be the topic dividing people and now for sure is covid.

And I am sorry if you are sick hearing it all again but I wanted to share my feelings about the land where I was born and grew up that made me feel like I am a complete stranger. It is my personal feeling.

And apart of all this sadness, man, Lithuania has the most beautiful and magical forests. It filled me with hope and care. Spending time with my family and friends filled me with joy and let me dive into the memories that were forgotten. And the occasional crispy blue sky and sun reminded me that everything passes.

So my wish is for all of us let the love instead of hate, let the acception instead of division fill our hearts. We are all different and beautiful in that way. And it's also a big reminder to myself.

And while I am exploring the lands of spaniards and portuguese I wish you a smooth transition between autumn and winter.

With love,

Ligita