When I came to the new hostel, I was greeted by a very friendly receptionist. She took me immediately to my new room. Which was for me, and me alone. It felt a bit luxurious. It kind of was. I did have, kitchen, toilet and shower - FOR MYSELF! The room itself had a lot of space. I thought that I really deserved it.
A whole hostels decor was modern and cosy. It resembled some sort of hipster place. At least the wooden tables from pellets and other recycled material gave a hint of it. On another side of the building, there was an area for camping trailers, tents and several huts.
The front yard was the most charming place. It had several level sitting areas, it because, the place was down the hill. In between the sitting areas there ware hanging hammocks. Over the front yard, there were a thousand flashbulbs crisscrossing a whole place. In the background would play some Johnny Cash songs or other well known good old songs. I felt relaxed, and there was a lot of foreigners. Therefore, I didn't have to break my tongue trying to speak my own language and feel ashamed for not speaking properly.
Later that evening I went out to smoke. There were very few people. The crisscrossing lights were on. It looked so beautiful, I was mesmerized. I walked around looking at it. A few minutes later, after running up and down like a child. I was finally ready to go to my room. Suddenly, noticed a stranger sitting next to the entrance of the hostel.
(Stranger): - You really like those light? Huh?
(Me): - Well, yeah. They look cosy, and pretty cool too. This kind of decor I have seen only in Greece, in some small garden.
(Stranger): - I guess, they do look cosy.
(Stranger): - No, I am from Sweden. You?
(Me): - Well, I am semi-local. I don't live here for the last 7 years. I landed from Denmark, last week.
(Stranger):- So, what are you doing here?
(Me): I am trying to apply for a visa to Japan. I will go there in August for a year. (Some people were passing across me and him, I was about to go in, it was a bit cold. For some unknown reason I decided to sit down). Probably, I should sit down. May I?
At first, he seemed as average, boring guy, even he was swede. From my experience dealing with Nordic people, I always running out of what to say to them, very fast.
This time was not the case. We talked. A lot. It was about everything. It was about all kind of political topics, travels, his job. He did say, that he will look around Vilnius, and then will travel further. I had the same plan (to deliver papers to the embassy and go to Kaunas). That's, how I end up talking with him till almost midnight.
That night, I could not sleep until 6 am. It was cold, the bed was terrible, a noise outside. Somehow, I managed to wake up. at 10 am, I barely rolled out of my bed. Then I made the decision: "
Fuck it, I will stay one more night, but this time, I WILL SLEEP.
" So, I went to reception and paid for one more night. Then I took off to complete my mission: - TO GET MY VISA!A few hours later, I came back to my hostel with all the bags from the station in the hyped mood - "
I got my visa, my mission is done. Now I can go to sleep
!" because I almost fell asleep in public transport. I am about to enter the front door, and guess who do I see!? Same stranger, from yesterday...
I told him my success story about a visa. He was happy for me. After a few more minutes of chatting, I finally, moved inside to find out where I am staying, because it became inconvenient to stand with two backpacks. My shoulders were in pain. The hostel receptionist showed me the room. (
It was a room with 3 bunk beds, and several people already there, some from Greece, some from Lithuania, and god knows what...)
First things first, I NEED A SHOWER AND CLEAN CLOTHES! I started to unpack, and get ready for the shower, I really felt that I need it. I went to women shower, started to undress, suddenly I realized, that I don't know the door code to the room. (because all the rooms had their own door codes). Well, fuck it... I will ask to write down for me in Reception. After a hot shower I got dressed, I wrapped all my stuff into a towel and went down to get a door code. I had absolutely no intention of meeting this stranger, I just wanted to chill. I got the code and went back. The room was full of people. It felt crowded and uncomfortable. Well... Maybe I will wait a bit longer. So I took off to the common kitchen with some food I bought previously. I felt a bit hungry.Guess, who do I meet? That stranger again! He was as surprised as me.
(Stranger): -Are you stalking me?
(Me): - No, are you stalking me?
(Stranger): -Just hungry.
He was making some fancy salad, with nuts and ham. Then tried to boil some quail eggs. The view was amusing. I have never seen anyone trying to make quail eggs. I could not hold myself back but to tease him.
(Me): - Do you know what you are doing?
(Stranger): -Yeah, I am making eggs.
(Me): - Have you tried them before?
(Stranger): -Nop, but I want to try.
(Me): - Good luck with that!
So, we end up talking again. This time about nothing, just chartering. When he finished making his amusing food. I followed outside. It seemed as something appropriate thing to do. Since I had nothing better to do, the room I had to sleep in was filled with people.
We sat down, he offered some beer. (Even It has passed quite some years, I have not touched alcohol ). I accepted his offer "
why not, I did fail to buy actual beer last time due to, this new law, that alcohol is sold only until 8 pm.".
Conversations evolved naturally, with no force or too much force. There was no need to think, what to say, or what not to say. I did not care, really. I am on holiday, I didn't come here to make friends, I just talked.Meanwhile, I forgot about all my tiredness. It felt comfortable and comforting. The stranger was listening with great interest. He was chipping in, with his thoughts and his own experiences. It was simply so engaging, and free to talk. Maybe, also because I was a little drunk. (It does not take long to get me drunk).
Later, conversations became more interesting, more personal. We talked about our families, jobs, interest. He asked me, about my personal life.
(Stranger): -What about your personal life?
(Me): - What is personal?
(Stranger): -Like a boyfriend?
(Me): - I don't like drama. I don't have time for it.
I was not really honest with him. I haven't lied to him, but I didn't say that I have a boyfriend, for the last 5 years. I actually don't know why... Is not like I have something to hide.After the second beer, I came to realize, he is quite handsome. Maybe, because he is quite intelligent, or rather open for everything. I never valued physical appearance, it always looked so empty to me. I always was interested in what is happening in peoples minds.In that particular moment, I saw a lot of potential for more closer chemistry. I was even thinking to myself, If I would be in my early 20's I would sleep with him. I really had to hold myself back not enter the flirting game. Simply, my mature and logical brain cells told me not to complicate things. And if this fate to meet this guy, I will meet him again, maybe in more convenient circumstances. Now, let's just enjoy his company.
But my desire to spend more time with him kept growing. He would listen to me, no matter what I say, or whatever weird shit I would tell him. I reached a point, where I really wanted to pee, but if I will go, I will never meet him again. He will probably get to sleep, and then I won't see him tomorrow. But I had to let go, It was already after midnight, no one around. I can't be that selfish. Before going to our rooms, we agreed to meet for coffee tomorrow.
After a short toilet break, I went to the room. Wait, what? Why are you here? He was there as surprised as me, standing there almost half naked, getting ready to sleep.We said goodnight to each other and went to bed. I could not really sleep, but think, how to spend more time together. I know I had to let him go, but what if he could give me a ride to Kaunas? No... I can't ask for that... It is too much... Damm, I will never meet him again... We will part tomorrow. What if, we just stop somewhere, and camp somewhere together, just to spend more time together. Arghhhhhhhhhh! No! That's, simply wrong... I have to let go and forget about it.So, that's how I fell short on sleep again!
The morning came, my brain was early up. I was staring towards his bed and kept thinking about how I don't want to part him. Just one more conversation! (Now, I felt like a stalker). He finally woke up. I left the kitchen to warm up croissants so we can have breakfast together. At least something, before he leaves.
I came up to the lobby, where fresh coffee was served. He was not there. I turned my back, and he was right behind me.
(Stranger): -Good timing.
We sat down to eat my prepared breakfast. He started to talk about today's, plans. He mentioned about visiting the market in Gariunai. I pinpointed for him on the map and told him it is in the direction towards his destination. His goal was to reach Poland today. Well, good for you...
Then he asked about plans for today. I told him I am going to Kaunas. He googled it.
(Stranger): - I can take you there.
(Me): - (without any hesitation) AGREED!
Well, what a coincidence... That's what I what I wished for, BUT I WOULD HAVE NEVER ASK FOR IT. After a few cups of coffee, he asked.
(Stranger): - have you packed?
(Me): - Yes, I just need to pick it up. You still need to go to Gariunai. I will show you around.
That's at least a legal excuse to spend a bit more time together. I was sure, he also wanted to spend more time with me, otherwise, he would have never agreed to meet for coffee, or take me to Kaunas.
After picking up my stuff, I went to his car, which was parked just behind, hostel territory. The car had a tiny semi-trailer attachment. Which was ridiculously small to me, but very well organized.I got into his car. We are talking about travels. I could see he is distracted, or simply tired. He almost missed a turn. We reached the market, I showed him more continent place to park, instead of a pinpointed place on the map.
We walk around the market, tasted local goodies. Until, it was really time, to take off.On the way to Kaunas, he would give me this look. I have seen it before. It is when there is chemistry between people or someone you like but you yourself don't know or don't accept yet. Suddenly he said.
(Stranger): -That was turn to Kaunas. I think we are in Kaunas.
Time flew by in the split second. I hoped to spend just a little more time together. I tried to invite him for lunch, just to stall more time. But he really had to go. We reach the city centre and I got off. Then I offered at least stay in touch via Facebook, but I knew that our paths would never cross again. There is no such thing as fate. If there would, there would not be a need for divorce.There is only lucky coincidences, and logical patterns. If people are in the same building, they are bound to run into each other, so that happened here. But I am happy to run into you. I still have so much to tell you, that's why I started to write this diary, so I won't bug too much, because as you noticed I can be too much.
But It was still amazing to experience, how two extremely different people can bound closely in such a short time. Long ago, I learned to appreciate what I have not to be greedy, so thank you for the time I had with you, even we will never meet again.
