So we are in a new country now, and it's very nice, but first I have to tell you about last night.

Mom had already done what she does every evening getting comfy in her jammies when several cars with flags showed up and parked on the grass? 

They invited Mom to come to celebrate and sing with them..............none of them spoke English or German so they used the international hand and smile language.

NOw we found out it is Statehood Day which is an annual public holiday in Lithuania celebrated on July 6 to commemorate the coronation in 1253 of Mindaugas as the only King of Lithuania.

I suppose this was their national anthem...........but we're not sure..........it seemed serious and a little formal I thought

MOm thought that was it, but nooo no no, sit down and eat with us, so they spread a white tarp on the ground and started to up food and vodka. Mom got her chairs and a table and joined in and had a great time despite not understanding one word.

  That brown mug got filled several times and passed around. Straight vodka is not something Mom likes but she wanted to fit in so she sipped very little each time. I thought that was comforting to see.

The biggest guy I've ever seen was the guy in the gray sweatsuit. I know he liked me, but he scared me when he wanted to stroke me because his hand covered my entire body and I can tell he was very strong.

I was told he was a Russian soldier and they said something about Siberia too?

They slept in their cars and how the big guy fit in his little yellow car is unbelievable. The couple in the Cadillac had the best space.

IN the morning they were getting very busy polish and shine their cars because they were driving to church. 

Mom used Google translate to tell them how much she appreciated the invite and how great time she had, and she gave the ladies her ladybug good luck hats. They couldn't write back since they have a Cyrillic alphabet, but she got kisses on both cheeks. 

Before they left they came with a gift for Mom. It was a bottle of vodka and green pinecones. Lady said she was Apoteka and medicine, so finally, Mom understood she should soak the pinecones in vodka for 6 months.............but she is not clear if she's supposed to eat the pinecones or drink the vodka? the lady said no alcohol no alcohol?

They all had this flag (and the Lithuanian) on their cars so Mom thinks it was a car club

After goodbyes, we drove off to the next goal which was only a few miles away............On the way, we spotted this stork nest so close to the road, so Mom could finally get a closer look.

Next stop was the Hill of crosses...............

When the old political structure of Eastern Europe fell apart in 1918, Lithuania once again declared it's independence throughout this time, the Hill of Crosses was used as a place for Lithuanians to pray for peace, for their country, and for the loved ones they had lost during the wars

Now I understand what Mom was doing this morning, she just HAD to leave a mark here. Personally, I don't understand why she didn't leave a ladybug? Mom said it's because it's the hill of crosses not the hill of ladybugs...............

It wasn't the best cross..............but I'm sure it'll disappear in the masses

The site took on a special significance during the years 1944–1990 when they were occupied by the Soviet Union. Continuing to travel to the hill and leave their tributes, Lithuanians used it to demonstrate their allegiance to their original identity, religion, and heritage. It was a venue of peaceful resistance, although the Soviets worked hard to remove new crosses, and bulldozed the site at least three times (including attempts in 1963 and 1973).

On September 7, 1993, Pope John Paul II, visited the Hill of Crosses, declaring it a place for hope, peace, love, and sacrifice. In 2000 a Franciscan hermitage was opened nearby. The hill remains under nobody's jurisdiction; therefore people are free to build crosses as they see fit.

People are making crosses from the pebbles on the walkway.

The exact number of crosses is unknown, but estimates put it at about 55,000 in 1990 and 100,000 in 2006

I wasn't allowed to visit this place so I watched Lucy (napped) so I missed meeting this nice man playing the accordion 

as always there was a gift shop by the parking lot, selling wooden crosses and rosary beads. Amber is big here and this tree was pretty cool...........mom left with nothing..

Like I began to say, we are in a different country now, as a matter of fact, we are camping in Latvia's capital which is Riga. We had another great day in town, but I'll tell you about that tomorrow, now it's time to sleep

Of I have also forgotten to tell you we have been in a different timezone for a while so now it's 7 hours later than in Florida.

Night Night