Week 11 - 11th June -> 17th June

View of Klaipeda from Viva la Vita, June 2012.

Although this week has been quiet in terms of travelling activity, I have had the time and opportunity to reflect on what I've been doing here, and some cultural curiosities of Lithuania. 

Klaipeda is starting to feel very empty. The other Erasmus students have been gradually leaving, one or two at a time, and this week the last of the farewell meetings were held. I'm sure I will see some of them again, but Klaipeda definitely isn't the same without them. Nevertheless, it won't be long until I will be saying my own farewells. 

Marta, Sara & me at Viva la Vita. Photo courtesy of Ruta.

We met for our final gatherings here in the two most frequented places on my Erasmus: Memelis and Viva la Vita. I'm pretty sure the people that work in these places know my order now! Viva la Vita has been a popular stop for those who have never been there before, but I just happen to join every time. :) It's worth it for the view, and the last visit there was just perfect to spend with my two lovely Spanish ladies! The view, the incredible meal and the company were incomparable. 

Night view from the roof terrace of the Amberton.

This week has also been the beginning of the end for my English classes. I taught the last class for one of the groups this week, and the final presentations are now well underway. I'm really glad to see some of the improvements that have been made as a result of my teaching - that's the reason why I love to teach - it's so rewarding when you see the difference you can make and feel that it's worthwhile. Inevitably, real improvements can only be noticed in those who showed a commitment to the class, and attended every week. 

For the group that finished this week, I asked for some feedback to help me learn from this experience. I gave them 3 Post-its each and asked them to complete the Stop/Start/Continue feedback. (on one Post-it note they write what I should stop doing, on another what I should start doing, and on the third what I should continue doing, then place them in the matching column on the board - it's a very fast and effective form of evaluation.) Overall, the feedback was very positive, with just one comment of what I should start doing - correct pronounciation. As I have mentioned before, this is one thing that I've struggled with, because it's difficult to do without always interrupting or making people feel too afraid to talk. I followed my philosopy of encouraging more and more speaking without worrying too much about mistakes, and only correcting those that are noticeably mispronounced or recurring. Perhaps this is something I will have to rethink. 

Anyway, as I evaluate my own teaching experience, I have also been reflecting upon some cultural curiosities that I have experienced in Lithuania. I will detail some examples of what I mean:

*serving hot potatoes with cold beetroot soup - I mean, what is the protocol for eating these simultaneously? 

*selling wine (and other alcohol) at the cinema. This is where the line is drawn in other countries where alcohol plays a major part in society (e.g. in Ireland & Finland), but not in Lithuania.

Wine on sale @ cinema.

*the confusion of how to get off a bus. There is an unwritten rule that there is no need to press the stop button to indicate your wish for the bus to stop at the next bus stop - you simply stand at the doors, hoping the bus driver gets the message. However, a new confusion has emerged even amongst the locals. In the new buses, the same rule applies, with one subtle addition. Once the bus stops the doors are not opened for you, THEN you must press the button yourself in order to be released. It is apparent that most people haven't realised this yet, and some I have seen just wandering aimlessly between the doors until someone shows them.

*the lack of logic in pedestrian traffic lights. One of two problems occur with these: 1) there are two sets of lights for one crossing, and one of them is green, while the other is red, allowing you to only cross half-way. 2) the green light appears for a ridiculously short period of time (less than 10 seconds), for a crossing spanning over 4 lanes. Only a super speed human sprint could make it across in time. I wonder how young children or elderly people cope, especially with the generally ruthless drivers here.

*the apparent lack of acceptable distance to stand from strangers. People stand in very close proximity to you in situations that there should be an unwritten agreement of acceptable distance, e.g. when using an ATM. My mum always referred to a '3-foot radius' that every person is entitled to, and an invasion of this radius is felt as a sense of threat.

*the cute sense of achievement seen on faces of lovely, helpful Lithuanians after overcoming a language barrier. While there are many times I've experienced people staring at me as if I'm some kind of freak because I'm speaking English, those other times when people don't have much self-confidence to speak in English but still manage to help, are much more memorable. 

These are just a few examples of what I mean, and such curiosities add to the charm of Lithuania. Of course, I can't (and wouldn't) judge, especially considering that I come from a country that drives on the left side of the road. 
I'm also aware that we have certain holidays at completely different times to the rest of Europe, e.g. today is Father's Day in Northern Ireland - Happy Father's Day Dad! :)

The travels continue next week, and if I can manage it I will be writing my next blog entry from Gothenburg, Sweden.