Vilnius, Lithuania

Lithuania, is a country variously defined as being part of Eastern or Northern Europe

Vilnius is the largest city and the capital of Lithuania

Lithuania is a member of NATO and of the European Union

City theater

On March 11, 1990, Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare its renewed independence

During the 1300s, Lithuania was the largest country in Europe

Present-day Belarus, Ukraine, Poland and Russia were territories of of Lithuania in 1300

Between 1940 & 1945 Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union & Nazi Germany at different times

Present-day Lithuania has one of the fastest growing economies in the European Union

The Cathedral Square is the main square of the city, right in front of the neo-classical Vilnius Cathedral

The beautiful Vilnius old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Since Lithuania declared independence on March 11, 1990, it has maintained strong democratic traditions

Grovler, check their ID; jailbait

Lithuania also has a flat tax rate rather than a progressive scheme

Lithuanians have a high suicide rate: 91.7 per 100,000 persons, the highest in the world in 2000

Anthony Kiedis, frontman and vocalist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is Lithuanian

NFL legends, quarterback Johnny Unitas and linebacker Dick Butkus are both Lithuanian

Bob Dylan, also Lithuanian, had a concert in Vilnius the same month we were there

The Grovler with his own kind; local punks

Actors Sean Penn, John Candy and Charles Bronson are all of Lithuanian decent

Art is everywhere

Although Vilnius is a Baroque city, there are examples of Gothic, Renaissance, and other styles

To the left is the official government buildings

Less than 2% of the population live beneath the poverty line, and the adult literacy rate is 99.6%

What a city! Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are worth a visit

In 1995, the first bronze cast of Frank Zappa in the world was installed near the center of Vilnius

Poster for our appearance at the Skybar in the Reval Hotel; our 100th country performed in

A shot of Absinthe always makes for a good night

Selling Supernova CD's

Grovler with Skybar staff

Grovler with two shots ready to go

Skybar snacks. The most expensive bar in Vilnius

Performance with a view

Vilnius in the background

New, modern bridge in Vilnius

One interesting building after another, typical of a European capital

Gediminas Tower is an important state and historic symbol of Vilnius and Lithuania

Gediminas Tower is depicted on national currency and mentioned in patriotic poems and folk songs

The three crosses

Cool shot of Grovler with the three crosses

Overlooking Vilnius from the castle

Hare Krishna's had a festival on this day

This local showed us around the old city

In the city center of the old town

Amber is found in the Baltic sea and there are Amber shops everywhere

A bar called "Absinthe Fairies". It was closed but the owner let us in and fixed us a great Absinthe drink

Inside Absinthe Fairies where they serve almost every brand of the "illegal" Absinthe (illegal in USA)

Absinthe is legal here

We didn't become Hare Krishna's but they are always a fun, lively group

Bridge leading to the modern section of town

The Reval hotel where we played our show in the Skybar

June is the perfect month to visit

The Ecotel was Spartan but very unique. We would stay there anytime we're in Vilnius

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