Spring has exploded in Lithuania. The trees are a lettuce green; ready to eat. Dandelions cover the meadows and dominate the landscape with their yellowness. People are out enjoying the first few warm days riding their bicycles and canoeing on the Neris River. I have noticed that Vilnius over the years has become a more sporty city, and now, just like in Western Europe or the USA, there are joggers, people on tight ropes, boot camps in the park, and yoga studios.

Thanks to a close friend, I now have a bicycle here in Vilnius. It lets me explore new neighborhoods, and get out into the forests near the city center. Vilnius is a capital city of about half a million people, and there are some crowded areas, but the parks are thick with trees and nice paths along the river.

Now that the days are longer, it was my first time seeing the Friday evening academic sauna in the light, nestled among now rusted archeological instruments from former farmers, and a beautiful functional windmill; all within the city limits. Dominating the conversations are the actions by Putin in Russia, and the fear that he will invade the Baltic nations. I find this concept rather absurd, and if I were Putin and had to invade a country, I would prefer to take Uzbekistan, with its natural resources, and larger Russian population. I didn’t hear any fear of invasion from the Uzbeks. I am not a political scientist, and I grew up in a place not directly affected by war. Maybe that is why I am not fearful and believe that people my age and younger won’t be interested in fighting nationalistic wars in Europe.

Fountains are flowing, bands are playing at the unveiling of new statues, and I am writing new grant proposals in Vilnius.