2007.04 Tallinn – Riga – Kaunas – Radom – Krakow – Žukai – Salaspils

This was my first hitch-hiking trip outside from Estonia. Also this was my first visit to foreign countries exept I had been in north Finland. It was a bus trip. I didn’t plan this much but I prepared myself for the worst – I got everything to sleep even under a tree. But I am very glad I didn’t have to, because the weather turned unexpectedly bad in the mean time. About it... later.

From Tallinn I got moving on Friday, april 13th 2007 at 9 o’clock. I didn’t take the smarterst way to get out from Tallinn. So I walked about 2 hours. Then I sat on a electric train and I arrived to city border at 11:30.
I hitched there for about 2 hours and finally stopped a transport car. Driver works in JAA Disain. He took me to Pärnu (128 km).
I was walking south from Pärnu and before I realised I was already out from Pärnu, a car stopped by me. It was a blue Mercedes-Benz delivery van. The driver asked if I needed a lift and took me to Võiste (20 km).
There I started hitching again and stopped Moskvitš. The driver was deaf and dumb. But he took me to Häädemeeste (15 km). There I had a cup of tea, cake and yoghurt.
19:40 I started hitch-hiking again and soon Polish truck stopped. He spoke Russian in Polish language. But the ride was pleasant. He took me to a gas station 25 km before Riga (119 km).
I started walking again and after a couple of minutes stopped a car next to me without hitching. He had started his weekend already – I could say that from the smell in the car : ) He told me that he doesn’t go to Riga, but he takes me to a place where starts tram way nr. 6. I left the car 20:20.

From there I walked to Alfa shopping Centre and asked from information for a place I can use internet (later I found out that I had one positive message – an offer to host me). But in that shopping centre I walked forward to the centre of Riga. Stepped into a gas station and asked if they knew about some place I could use internet – café or something. They didn’t know. But they called info telephone and got a street name where was an internet cafe. So I started to look for it. I asked people about street name I got, finally I got to right place. But I didn’t see no café. So I walked a little more. I got to Minska shopping centre.
I was glad that in Tallinn I wrote down some phone numbers of Riga HC users. I didn’t send e-mail to all HC users in Riga. So I bought phone card and called a couple of numbers. It was about 23 PM already when I called Liva.

She tried to explain me how to get to her but I was tired and navigating in dark unknown city is quite hard. So she came after me in her car with her brother and brother’s friend.
I got accomodated into a private room downstairs. Liva made some sandwiches and we had a little chat. She is a very nice person to chat with. Afterwards we had a little beer and grilled meat with Liva’s brother and hir friend.

Next day Liva was in hurry. After breakfast Liva organised her friend Krišjanis to show me the city.
The day started from Riga Open Air Museum. As I didn’t have LAT ’s I „flew” over wall of the museum. Then I waited a bit and Krišjanis arrived.


Krišjanis in Riga Open Air Museum

At start we had a couple of drinks juice from birch tree at old pub. Then we walked hours around in the ethnographical museum. All the time Krišjanis was explaining use of buildings, constructions, fascinating details about life in these times when those buildings were built.
Krišjanis is fantastic converional partner. Thinking, listening, well expands different subjects. Really smart guy.
Before we left the museum we had another drink of tree juice at the pub.
Then we took a bus center of Riga. And went to market. That wasn’t very different from those that are in Estonia. But something Krišjanis did... was a great idea – he bought juice of sauerkraut. I will try that, too. For sure : )

Then we walked on the streets of Riga. The architecture is amazingly beautyful. And interesting part was also seeing courtyards.
After walking a while we reached the house where Krišjanis lives. The house where was founded first Estonian student organisation „Vironia”. In the house it was exactly as a real dorm should look like : )
We continued chatting there, had a couple of drinks (tough one was the Moldavian home made shot – about 60º). And we had a true student dinner from chef Krišjanis : ) that was good. I am a lot worse cook. Then he offered me to stay at his place at night. But I preferred Liva's place because it was easier to leave the city from there.
We left for a pub not far from his place. And I drank beer which was brewed there. Tasted like a root beer. Interesting taste. But I wouldn't drink that more than half a litre at once : )
After a beer we went to a tower where is a restaurant. There I could see whole city. Next time I should take binoculars there.

Then we went to a party. It was Estonians Night at a factory territory which had been restricted area. Really cool people there. And the music... well a remix of a song from Ivo Linna reminded a little Estonia : ) but I and Krišjanis had some drinks there and I got quite drunk (at least nobody had to drag me around) : )


Estonians party in Riga

At the party was a concert that I didn't understand much. And there was a guy wearing red-gold-green hat I asked cigarettes (not for myself) yelling „rastafarai“ (which religion I don't believe actually but it is good to find people that way who like reggae music).
Luckily at the concert showed up Liva and her brother. It was good to see them. Then we all drove around a bit. In Riga at night I didn't understand where exactly. We went to a big house's top floor. The Latvians chatted with an artist (or who ever it was) and then we helped him take picture frames downstairs and to next street to a car.
After that we drove to Liva's place and I fell asleep pretty fast.
I had a nice breakfast in the morning and Liva took me to a place so I can continue my trip. And a couple of oranges to the road, which were really good „the morning after“ the party ; )
I hope with the party I didn't ruin my relations with Liva, because she is nice.

I started hitch-hiking. After a little time a van stopped which took me to a town close to Riga. Before big road bridges. From there I walked over a river where is hydro-electrical power plant. Then I hitched a car that took me to Bauska. I got there at 14:30. Driver is a Chernobyl veteran.
In Bauska I had a little rest and getting out from the town was bad, because next to driveway was a narrow road for walkers and bicycles. To roads were separated and the cars had no place to stop. Finally I got to a suitable place and I hitched a guy in small car. I got straight to Kaunas with him. He was aheading Poland but still he drove into Kaunas and have me 3 LIT for the bus.


River Nemunas in Kaunas. I just ran to the beautiful blue water with green river banks. It was such a nice sunny day.

When I got off the car I was one of the most relaxing views during my trip that I saw – river Nemunas and houses next to it. All grass green, Bushes with yellow blossoms.

In Kaunas I asked people, how to get to Old Town (mostly to find Internet Café). I got on trolley bus #7. In Old Town I walked around to see the city, seeking The Devils Museum (which I didn't find), I ate at a restaurant and walked a little more in Old Town.
When I was walking up to hill there was a couple of old ladies there, who commented something in Lithuanian. And asked something. When I asked in English what did they asked they started to talk with my as with baby „oh, you look so tired and walk so slowly and what is matter”. Yes, my feet hurt a bit from walking but I guess I didn't look so bad and I felt wonderful : )
Then I told them where I'm from and I feel good. But I asked about Intenet Café. One of the ladies showed me where it is (it was about 100 meters).
The café was nice and I enjoyed the service – really cosy. And it was nice that the girl knew about Hospitality Club.
I drank cappuccino there and searched for contacts – I had no positive answers from HC users in Kaunas (only a couple of „no“ answers).
I found a few phone numbers where it didn't say „you have to notify X days before“. The calling part was a little complicated. Good thing was – right there on the street were phone booths. But in HC profiles given phone number like „+370 xxx xxx“ from booth you have to dial „8 xxx xxx“. I found that out after asking people.
I called a couple of numbers and eventually (about 9:30 in the evening) I called Vita. She asked a few questions, then asked her parents and said „yes“. Then she explained how I get to her place. It was quite confusing, but I asked a couple of persons for help and I made it – onto the right bus and out in the right place and a little walking. I got to the shopping centre where we supposed to meet.
There I waited for Vita and she waited me for a while and I walked to her : )
Nice person. Fast thinking and active. I had tea, food (marinated cucumbers exactly as made in Estonia) and shower... and another night to sleep in bed : )

Next day Vita was very busy. And unfortulately museums were closed on monday. The devils museum, war museum and maybe even art museum. I ate potato pancakes at restaurant Žalias Ratas. Nice interior there. Unfortulately Birute wasn't at work that day so I couldn't pass greetings from Viljandi (filadelfia) to her.
Also I visited AIESEC 's office in Kaunas. I like that company there. Nice people. Mostly I spent my day enjoying the weather and walking around in Old Town. I had a ride in funikulierius. The ride itself was nothing special but it was smart idea how two cars move. Afterwards I walked down hill I got inside funikulierius and then up hill I walked. Then I understood this mean of transport is really necessary ; )
On the hill I had a little chat with the lady in fun park. She was one of three people during my trip who told from my accent speaking Russian that I am from Estonia (I didn't know I had an accent).

As Vita wanted to study for an exam next day at university she organised me another hostess in Kaunas. It was her friends place. Ruta's. She was working at the same Internet Café I visited the day before.
There I had a couple of juices and we went to her place. Incredible apartment. I couldn't believe it is possible to make an apartment that beautiful in a Soviet block house.
Then we ate and had a little chat. Ruta showed me a book written by a Lithuanian writer. About trip from North America to East Asia. On bicycles. Very interesting. With pictures.
Then I used Ruta's computer for a couple of hours and went to sleep. Luxury again – slept in bed : )
In the morning I got a couple of apples and cake „to the road“ from Ruta. Her mother had made really delicious cake. I don't know exactly but like chocolate cake with biscuits inside.
We went to center of the City together, I took next bus to border of the city. Walked a while. Hitched a while and a truck stopped.

The driver was Polish, but I understood his Russian a lot better than last one's.
First stop with him I had at a gas station close to border Lietuva-Polska. He lit his gas cooker on the floor of hir truck and boiled tea. Offered me too and searched for something to eat. Didn't find. I took two pieces of cake from my bag and offered one to the driver. Of course the driver also said it was delicious. Then we went together to a gas station where he wanted to buy a 4-pack of beer. But he was a little short of money. So I gave him some.
We went ahead and near the border he asked if I had any narcotics with me : ) Then after border another stop. I didn't have any zloty 's yet but I went to a diner with the driver. He asked if I want anything. I said „no“. But he ordered chicken meat and pepsi for two.
As this was truck drivers way home he took me to a little town Ostroleka. Where I after a while hitched Jeremiusz. Cool guy in a big car. Right at the beginning he made an unbelievable compliment to me – asked if I was a Russian because I speak Russian that well. (I know I can't talk much in Russian). He had studied in Moscow many years ago. I wondered too, how can a Polish guy speak Russian that well. Usually they don't speak it.
Anyways the ride with him was nice. I think we had quite an content-rich conversation. In the mean time Jeremiusz talked about historical meanings about places we drove through. For example showed me forest, where Polish troops kicked back Stalin troops and stopped himm getting into Europe. In the mean time Jeremiusz put on a record. It was Polish country music that he was singing. Interesting, a little funnt but still good. Also he showed me some prostitutes by the road. A couple were pretty.
He had also a good question when we were driving: „how many in inhabitants are there in Estonia? 4 million?“. I answered that about 1,4 million, including Russians he laughed „and now you came here and there are only 1 399 ... It was a good laugh :-D
Then it was Warszawa. Jeremiusz went to a house for a couple of minutes, came back and asked if I have any zloty 's to get to border of the city by bus. I didn't have – bad preparation. And he promised to give me a lift where I can hitch-hike. But first he has to give lift to his friend.
It started to get dusked outside. Jeremiusz drove to gas station, got off the car. Next to his car came a bald man in red converible car. Jeremiusz came back and two cars drove to a side street. Bald man put away his car, I sat on back seat of Jeremiusz' car and we drove forward. City ended and if felt like a ride on potato field. In the mean time Jeremiusz explained they are going to airport. This didn't seem fun at all anymore. Especially because I hoped not to turn off road E67 and E77.
Then normal roads appeared again and Jeremiusz stopped his car and showed me direction where to go to hitch-hike. Not far was a big shopping centre and there I continued hitch-hiking.
It was quite dark already and the cars didn't want to stop. My goal was 300 km. I had a contact in Warszawa and maybe I could find the host but in the dark the city felt too big to move back there.
From Kaunas to Krakow in one day was my goal because I wanted to spend whole day in Krakow and get back to Lietuva on third day. Reason for that was I got invited by Vita to Hospitality Club Easter Camp on April 20-22.

Anyway... finally a car stopped and the driver said he is going to Radom. About 100 km. I sat in the car still hoping to get to Krakow by late night.
Cool guy the driver. Marek. We had a little chat during ride. He has a city-alpinism company in Warszawa. Painting constructions.
When we got to Radom he asked if I need his mobile number in case I am unlucky with hitch-hiking. And also he offered to spend night at his house. I agreed, because it was night by then and I didn't feel lucky with the cars.
He has a nice house and especially the bathroom. At home was his wife and friend and three sons. We ate and chatted a while. Really good idea was horse raddish on sandwiches. So far I only had horse raddish with hotpot meal. And marinated mustard seeds on sandwich was good. But I think the cake they gave me was the most delicious cake I've ever tasted. (I hope to get the recipe for that). And I drank a glass of nalivka. Of course I had to say that I can't taste plums in there. Marek said „there was only one plum“ and it was a good laugh : ) glad they didn't took my comment as an offence.
This was the first night I used my sleeping bag. In the morning I ate a little and got going. Fortunately Marek's house is near south border of Radom. And Marek's friend sent me there. I like this guy.
I hitched quite a long time, then I got a 40 km ride on a lorry. Then I got a ride in Polish Fiat. I wanted to be in such since I saw one first time in Poland. I got plenty of room inside. I thought about buying myself one too. But I've heard you can't register those in Estonia. Next lift was in another lorry that took me to Kraków. It was quite slow. Especially driving up-hill. The speed was about 40 km/h then. But mostly it was 80 km/h. When I got out from the truck I walked a while and got to train station.
There was a currency exchange in train station but they wanted larger amounts of money. Started from 100 units. There is no Hansapank in Poland as there is in Estonia, Lietuva and Latvia. And I didn't know if Hansapank takes extra money if I use Polish ATM. It takes about 0,5 EUR in Estonia is you take money from ATM that is not Hansapank's.
Then I went to huge shopping centre in train station to find a shop where they sell phone cards. A girl from kiosk suggested (in fluent English) to go to Orange (communication operator) box. There a lady didn't understand me at all. So I went to another kiosk. They had these cards. But girl there thought that Estonian (VISA) card doesn't work. I suggested to try. And it worked : )


Centre square in beautiful Kraków, Poland

As I had a few contacts written down I tried to call. No luck finding a host. And the card got empty (NB! Hospitality Club people – if someone calls and asks for accomodation, then no need for making several minutes lasting apologies and tell all the reasons. Answers like „no“, „yes“, „call my friend“, „call after two hours“ are enough. Understandable that people are busy sometimes – no problem).
Then I bought two more of these phone cards and went for a walk. Incredibly beautiful old town. In the midfield a guy stepped to me and asked something in Polish. I told in English I didn't understand. And he talked English. And asked „give homeless person money for vodka“. I think the guy was under 30 years old. But I said I have no money. He asked where I came from, gave hand with best wishes and walked away : ) Later one more asked „money for vodka“. I continued walking. There was river and castle Wawel. Red castle. Awesome view. And I walked around it.
Then I thought I need some cash so I changed some of my LIT 's into zloty 's.
Luckily there was an Internet Café I noticed. So I visited it. A message from Tomek. He didn't know if he can host me. So I called him and he asked to call back later, because he can't host me but maybe his friend can. This time I spent in a restaurant. I ate roll meat „Old Polish Style“. The restaurant has nice interior and really high class service.
Then I called to Tomek again. And he gave me his friend's (Kamil's) mobile number. He explained me how to get to his place. Even I wrote down name of the bus stop incorrectly and I got lost when trying to count bus stops, I stepped off bus in right bus stop.
Kamil was there waiting already. We went to his dorm. Pretty cool place for living. Many things and cosy room. Again I got a bed to sleep in. Luxury trip : ) before sleep we chatted, ate and surfed in Internet. I hope I didn't disturb Kamil that much doing his school work. Smart guy I guess. It would be interesting to sit with him a little longer. It would be good for field of view.
In the morning we had a fast beakfast, Kamil drew me a map where is the best place for hitch-hiking. Very hospitable guy.
Bus ticket costs 1,25 zloty for students, 2,5 zloty is normal ticket. But both times bus driver kept my 3 zloty 's : )
I think it is a little funny that Polish don't speak Russian. Of course there are reasons that they don't like Russian Federation which is understandable. Pronounciation is different but if you wrote polish words in cyrillic, it would be quite similar. But that is only my opinion.

In Krakow I hitched a little van to a small town 17 km before Warszawa. Driver Piotr is interesting smart guy. We discussed quite a lot about politics – relations of ex-soviet countries with Russia. About it's sanctions to Estonian goods, Polish goods and other harassing. And about stupidity of „old European countries“ dealing with Russian Federation.
Before Warszawa when it was about 13 PM I hitched for couple of hours and I got bored. So I started walking – hitch-hiking. No luck. And I got to Warszawa. The cars had no place to stop so I walked till I saw traffic sign „trucks go right“ (to get through Warszawa I should have gone only straight). And I turned right. Walked a bit, hoping there is a stop for trucks so I can ask to get onboard. Nothing. So I decided to turn left and go to right direction. I like that there is city map in many bus stops.
I spent all my zloty 's in Kraków and I just didn't want to exchange more to travel in city by bus. The weather was fine, too. Finally I got through Warszawa (not straight way) and by then I had walked about 10,5 hours.

In the border of the city I tried to catch cars for quite a long time. Because it got dark, it started raining and falling hail. Blew strong cold wind. I didn't want to keep because I saw the city street lights will end after few hundred meters.
Luckily then stopped a girl in little car. I got a few kilometers ride but it was in warm wind-free environment : )
Then I didn't wait for long and stopped a car. Again few kilometers. Then after 10 minutes waiting a truck that took me to Bialystok north border.
Then after maybe 20 minutes waiting (it was a good place to wait because many trucks passed the place) I got on truck the driver was aheading to Kaunas. Russian-Lithuanian guy and we talked quite a lot. At least I stayed awake for most of the night : ) At seven o'clock we arrived to Kaunas.
I spent some time there – registered to the Easter Camp, drank tea. Then I walked in city, visited AIESEC office to find some people I know – there was nobody at the moment. That early morning I found no good places to eat. I didn't want coke & hamburgers neither. So I walked to main road to start hitching again. First time without city name paper. I stood there pretty long time. Then I saw a truck carrying long plastic tubes. The wind was strong a blew some tubes off platform. When hitching a Žiguli passed me. Stopped after a hundred meters and started to tie one of plastc tubes of roof of his car.
I got bored standing there and started walking. I got to Žiguli, wanted to pass it and the driver, busy with tying started to talk. That I had a bad place to hitch there – many crossroads ahead, etc. And he offered me a 500 meter lift ( I think he was a little afraid I give him up, because he started talking with „did you see who dropped the tubes?“ and I pointed to a truck still standing few hundred meters other way).
Then I started hitching again. Towards Klaipeda. Which was not so smart as I understood later. Although Vita gave me Lithuanian map, I couldn't find Žukai village in district of Šilute on the map. I thought it must be located near Šilute town and the village is just to small to be on the map.
I got on a truck which took me to crossroads Kaunas-Klaipeda-Taurage. I aheaded Taurage. From there to Šilute. I got there in three cars. I wandered around in Šilute, trying to find tourist info. One lady showed me a travel agency, where is also beauty salon. I stepped in and it was no tourist info. Just travel agency. An hairdresser there showed on my map where is Žukai village. It was between Kaunas and Šilute and I could have get there on 1,5 hours instead of all day.

I got going again. At least it was straight way to Žukai. Firstly a young family took me on car. It was quite long ride. Then it was a tanker. The driver said that I can't get far with him. We went about one kilometer and he turned right and drove about 500 meters when I asked „where is this road going to?“. The man hit the brakes, stopped the car and said „oh, you wanted that way“. I got out and walked back to main road.
I started hitching again and a young guy stopped. He took me few kilometers to a bus stop. I had LIT 's, but mus wasn't in my plans – this is not fun : ) I walked and an older guy came on motoroller and stopped. „Hop on“ he said and took me about one kilometer. When he stopped, tears fell from his eyes – wind was really cold and strong.
Next stopped a bunch of guys. They preferred speaking Russian. They took me many kilometers. To a village before Žukai. During the ride boys laughed a lot, chatted in Lithuanian and pointed at me sometimes. That as not pleasant. When we got to their village one asked „do you go hitch-hiking or wait in the car a little so we can take you there?“. I chose waiting. Then they drove rally between old houses and bad roads in the village to a house and one more guy came into the car. Rally again to another house. All four guys jumped off and left to a house. Before last guy got into house I came out from the car to get going. And the last guy didn't step into the house. Instead he told me to wait and shouted other guys out from the house to get going. We drove again. In the mean time other car followed us.
The guys asked me „what is in Žukai?“ I didn't want to talk much about it and just said „friends“. It was incomfortable unawareness what are those guys... party crashers? Because still they talked in Lithuanian and sometimes pointed at me.
But they took me in front of Žukai shop and left. Pleasant.

In front of the shop greeted be happy girls from Hospitality Club. And in car I got to party site near lake Neumalunis. A lot of people there (during 3 days counted about 90 persons). The ticket was 20 LIT. Skalpelis told about her time spent in Turkey and Kinderis about his hitch-hiking trip in Africa that lasted for 6 months.
Playing games, the DJ had some fantastic beats from Africa. Eating-drinking and a lot of communicating, making contacts in different countries. Because of the bad weather it was a little problem with sleeping places. Folks slept tightly together. I had a very good place for sleeping. And a long sleep because of last night I didn't sleep.


Lake in Žukai, Lietuva. There took place first half of the camp.


Lake in Žukai, Lietuva. There took place second half of the camp.

In the morning we went away from that place by bus. To other village. Some of folks went canoeing and others just felt cold : ) So we started to make fires. Eventually there were 5 fires: one in the fireplace of the „house“, anteroom of sauna, in sauna, outside under soup pot and near soup pot.
Canoeers came back and again eating-drinking, music, communicating, second part of Dainius' presentation about Africa. And then sauna-sauna-sauna and swimming in the lake. Awesome feeling! The sauna-company was great also. Represented Russia, Estonia (in that camp among 90 persons there were only two Estonians – me and a girl), Danmark, Suomi, Lietuva, Deutchland, UK... can't remeber all.
Then I had a little snack and went to sleep. In sauna. This moment it was 60 degrees Celsius. Comfortable – I didn't need no sleeping bag. Some time during night I woke up and I still needed the bag. In the morning it was 23 degrees in the sauna.
All the morning it was only saying goodbye 's : ) that many good folks. And that make one thing a little complicated. Namely there are going to be two HC camps at the same time. One in North Finland and other in Latvia. SO hard to choose. It's just that many people going to Latvian camp but I'd like to see North Finland.
Luckily on 21th of April Ruta joined the camp. She was my hostess. It was good to see her there. So on Sunday she was about leaving and asked whether I go by hitch-hiking or not. And proposed me to leave with her and a couple of guys so we can go in pairs. It was good idea. I was in pair with Danish guy – Esben.

We hitched some time and stopped reverend or something. He took us to shop in Vilkyškiai. And turned back. Esben bought milk, sausages, water and shared everything. Then a car from camp stopped and a woman offered - „we can take one to Vilnius or both only 10 km“. I thought it would be better if Esben gets to the right place. Because he doesn't speak Russian and sometimes it is necessary there.
And that was good decision, because a little later stopped Vita, Paulus, Tuchkus and a girl next to me and we had beer. Just for luck. And they continued driving. Then I got ride on pretty fancy Citroén travel van to Jurbarkas. Then I got picked up by a very interesting Lithuanian guy. He lived in United States for several years. He pronounced English purely. I'd say even pedantically. He was schooled at a university in US to speak, behave as a New Yorker and understand them. He is fantastic conversation partner. Was interested what I think about working abroad, my previous profession, about engineering studies.
During the ride he told about history – right side were areas under control of German Order – a buffer zone. And left side Lithuanian defence towers. Communicating with smoke signals. The guy had spent his childhood there. He told how the large field near the river was flooded in spings and after they build hydroelectrical power plant the floods are uncontrollable. He indicated to a house being built and wondered who is going to buy it – it will suffer under floods. At least half of the house will be under water.
Afterwards I realised it wasn't smart thing to go through Kaunas to get to Riga – but the ride Jurbarkas – Kaunas was one of the most interesting rides during my trip. So still it was good idea : )

From Kaunas to north I stood a long time to get a car. A young guy took me on and he aheaded to Šiuliai. He didn't speak English nor Russian. He tried German, but I can't speak it. But he called his friend and I told him in Russian what I want : ) Getting to Šiuliai wasn't exactly my plan but it was closer to my goal.
In Šiuliai it was quite dark outside already. But after half an hour waving there a car stopped. There was an old couple in the car. They took me to Riga. Almost Riga, actually. Because they asked if I want to go in the centre of Riga or before Riga there goes a transit road. I chose transit road. But when I got out I realised it was not that smart decicion because it was totally dark there and few traffic. Especially to transit road.
Then I thought it over and started hitch-hiking to Riga. Next car stopped and took me to Salaspils. From there a guy picked me up and took me to nearst gas station. It was second guy I met on my trip who had been in Metallica concert in Tallinn. When we got to gas station he said that he has to go 10 km back : )
There I hitched until 4 o'clock. It was good place – many trucks but no luck. I got tired and I layed out my sleeping matters and sleeping bag and slept under sky. I slept well because it wasn't that cold (+2 degrees Celsius) and no wind. But the place was quite wet so to stay dry I slept on pitch so and bushes under my mattress. At least no one could see me there.
I woke up at 6 AM and got on truck 6:20. It was Estonian driver Sulev. In Tallinn I was at 11:30 on 23th of Aprl 2007. It was good to chat in Estonian : )

It was super-special trip. And for sure I want more... to travel like this – hitch-hiking. For comfort to all citizens of Riga, Warszawa, Kaunas, Krakow etc. I didn't see anything because in such short time it simply is impossible. But I got the feeling I WANT MORE : ) And I have to take time to visit your cities again.

After the trip I got a question „what was the most special in your trip“. The question is hard. But as I've written this story for hours right now... I can say that. The most special was to be all day with Krišjanis. Not because of Riga but because of his character.
I travelled about 2951 km during my trip. I counted it on map.

THANKS TO ALL PEOPLE I MET DURING MY TRIP. WITHOUT YOU IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EMPTY!