---

Arriving in Vilnius – A Conversation at the Airport

Vilnius International Airport, early afternoon. Emma is waiting near the baggage claim, checking her phone. Julia appears from the arrival gate, wheeling her suitcase behind her.

Julia: “Emma! It’s been a while!"

Emma: “Julia! Finally! How was your flight?"

Julia: “Not bad, though I barely got any sleep. You’d think I’d be used to these long flights by now."

Emma: “You always say that. But hey, welcome to Vilnius! Ready for our academic adventure?"

Julia: “Absolutely! I still can’t believe we actually made this happen. A whole semester in Lithuania—pretty exciting, right?"

Emma: “Yeah, it took a lot of back-and-forth emails, but here we are! The university arranged everything smoothly. And the apartment—we got lucky with that one."

Julia: “Right, tell me about it again. I remember you mentioned it was in the old town?"

Emma: “Yes, it’s a classic Vilnius Old Town apartment, with high ceilings, wooden floors, and a view of the cobblestone streets. It’s got two bedrooms, a nice living room, and the kitchen is well-equipped. Perfect for long stays."

Julia: “That sounds amazing! And the university? Did you already visit?"

Emma: “Yes, I stopped by yesterday. The Faculty of History is located in one of the oldest buildings of Vilnius University, so we’ll be surrounded by history every day. The library is beautiful too—you’ll love it."

Julia: “Sounds perfect. And what about coffee shops? You know I can’t function without my morning espresso."

Emma: “I already found a few. There’s this small place called Mint Vinetu, a bookshop café where we can work. And for something fancier, there’s Sugamour Café, perfect for long discussions over coffee and pastries."

Julia [grinning]: “That’s exactly what I needed to hear. Okay, let’s grab my bags and get going. Can’t wait to see the apartment!"

[They walk toward the exit, stepping into the crisp Vilnius air, ready to begin their new journey.]

---

抵達維爾紐斯——接機

維爾紐斯國際機場，午後。Emma 在行李提取區等待，查看手機。Julia 推著行李箱從到達口走出。

Julia：「Emma！好久不見！」

Emma：「Julia！終於見到你了！飛行還順利嗎？」

Julia：「還不錯，就是完全沒睡著。我應該早就習慣長途飛行了才對。」

Emma：「你每次都這麼說！不過，歡迎來到維爾紐斯！準備好開啟我們的學術之旅了嗎？」

Julia：「當然！還是有點不敢相信這真的成了現實。我們要在立陶宛待整整一學期，這太令人興奮了！」

Emma：「是啊，我們來回寄了那麼多封郵件，終於搞定了。幸好這次大學安排得很順利。而且我們找到的公寓——真的很幸運！」

Julia ：「對了，再跟我說一次吧，我記得你之前提過它在老城區？」

Emma：「沒錯，是一間典型的維爾紐斯老城公寓，挑高天花板、木質地板，窗外就是鵝卵石街道的景色。我們各有一間房間，還有一個很棒的客廳，廚房設備也很齊全，完全適合長住。」

Julia：「聽起來太棒了！那大學呢？你已經去過了嗎？」

Emma：「是的，我昨天先去了一趟。我們的歷史學院在維爾紐斯大學最古老的建築裡，感覺真的像是穿越回中世紀！圖書館也很漂亮，我覺得你一定會喜歡。」

Julia：「聽起來太棒了！那咖啡館呢？你知道我一天不喝咖啡就沒辦法運轉。」

Emma：「這個我早就幫你找好了。有一家書店咖啡館叫Mint Vinetu，氛圍很棒，適合我們邊喝咖啡邊工作。另外還有一家比較高級的，叫Sugamour Café，可以慢慢品嚐咖啡和甜點，適合長時間討論研究。」

Julia：「這才是我需要的！好吧，先去拿行李吧，我等不及想看看我們的公寓了！」

她們邊走邊聊，踏出機場，迎接這座城市的新生活。

---

The First Walk Through Vilnius Old Town

A cobblestone street in Vilnius Old Town, late afternoon. Emma and Julia have just left the airport and are walking toward their new apartment, suitcases rolling over the uneven pavement. The golden evening light bathes the historic buildings, casting long shadows on the narrow streets.

Emma: “So, this is it—our home for the next few months. What do you think?"

Julia [looking around, impressed]: “It’s beautiful. I love how the buildings feel untouched by time. It’s exactly the kind of place where you’d expect to find old bookshops and hidden cafés."

Emma [smiling]: “You’re not wrong. This is one of the oldest parts of Vilnius. Most of these buildings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, though some are even older. See that church tower over there? That’s St. Anne’s Church, one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the city."

Julia [looking up]: “It’s stunning. The details in the brickwork—it’s like a miniature cathedral. And the whole area has such a quiet charm."

Emma: “Yeah, it’s surprisingly peaceful. Vilnius Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so they take great care of it. But unlike some other European old towns, it still feels… lived in."

[They continue walking through the old streets, passing a small courtyard café with wooden tables and warm yellow lights glowing from inside.]

Emma [pointing toward the café]: “That’s Mint Vinetu, the bookshop café I mentioned earlier. It’s small, but they have a great selection of books, and the coffee is strong. I thought you’d like it."

Julia [grinning]: “You really do know me too well. I can already picture us spending long afternoons there, buried in research."

Emma [laughing]: “Exactly. And if you’re feeling fancy, there’s Sugamour Café just a few streets away. Perfect for an occasional break from our academic life."

They turn onto a quieter residential street, where the cobblestones give way to a smoother pavement. The street is lined with historic apartment buildings, some with ivy climbing up the facades, others with small balconies filled with potted plants. A streetlamp flickers on as the sun begins to set.

Emma [slowing her pace]: “And here we are. Our apartment is just up ahead."

---

Scene 3: Arriving at the Apartment

The entrance to their building, an old but well-maintained structure with a carved wooden door set into a stone archway. Emma unlocks the door, and they step inside. The hallway has a slightly aged but cozy feel, with wooden floors and high ceilings.

Julia [looking around as they climb the stairs]: “I love this. It feels historic but still comfortable."

Emma [smiling]: “That’s what I thought too. The best part? Our apartment has big windows that let in a lot of natural light."

They reach the second floor, and Emma unlocks their apartment door. Inside, the space is warm and inviting—wooden floors, exposed brick and plaster walls, and a mix of antique and modern furniture. A soft evening glow filters through the tall windows.

Julia [setting down her suitcase]: “This is perfect. It’s exactly the kind of place I imagined staying in."

Emma [walking toward the hallway with the bedrooms]: “There are two bedrooms, and they’re pretty similar. I picked this one, but if you’d rather have it, we can switch."

Julia [peeking into both rooms]: “Honestly, they look identical. No need to swap—I’ll take the other one."

Emma: “Great. Then that’s settled."

Julia walks into her room, setting down her bag. The wooden floor creaks slightly, and the large window frames a view of the quiet old town street below. Across the narrow cobblestone road, historic buildings with pastel-colored facades and wrought-iron balconies stand in neat rows, their windows reflecting the warm evening light. A small writing desk sits by the window, perfect for late-night reading or research, offering a peaceful glimpse into the rhythm of the city.

Julia [turning back to Emma]: “This is going to be a great place to work. I can already see myself sitting here with a cup of coffee, staring out at the rooftops while pretending to be productive."

Emma [laughing]: “Sounds like a solid plan. Now, let’s unpack and then find some dinner. I know a place that serves excellent dumplings—trust me, you’ll love it."

They exchange a smile, settling into their new home as the city outside slowly shifts into its evening rhythm.

---

漫步維爾紐斯老城

維爾紐斯老城區的鵝卵石街道，午後時分。Emma 和 Julia 剛從機場抵達，推著行李沿著狹窄的街道前進，夕陽將金色的光影灑在歷史建築上。

Emma：「這就是我們未來幾個月的家。妳覺得怎麼樣？」

Julia：「太美了！這裡的建築感覺像時光停滯了一樣。這正是我想像中會有老書店和隱藏咖啡館的地方。」

Emma：「沒錯。這裡是維爾紐斯最古老的區域，大部分建築可以追溯到 17 至 18 世紀，甚至更早。看到那座教堂塔樓嗎？那是聖安娜教堂，是立陶宛最漂亮的哥德式建築之一。」

Julia：「真是太驚人了，磚雕細節超美！這裡的氛圍真的很寧靜，完全不像那些過度觀光化的城市。」

---

抵達公寓

一棟歷史悠久的老公寓外，木雕大門嵌在石拱門中，帶著時間的痕跡。Emma 用鑰匙打開門，兩人走進寬敞但溫暖的走廊。

Julia [邊爬樓梯邊觀察]：「這裡好有歷史感，但又不會讓人覺得老舊。」

Emma：「這就是它吸引我的地方！最棒的是，公寓的窗戶很大，光線超好。」

她們進入公寓，木地板微微發出聲響，牆上部分裸露的磚牆與石膏痕跡，讓整個空間充滿歷史氣息。

Julia [放下行李]：「這裡太棒了！跟我想像中的完美居住地一模一樣。」

Emma [走向臥室區域]：「有兩間房間，基本上一樣。我先選了這間，但如果妳喜歡，我們可以換。」

Julia：「完全沒差別，不用換了。」

Emma：「太好了，那就這樣定了！」

兩人相視一笑，為新的生活揭開序幕。

Julia 走進她的房間，放下行李。木地板微微發出吱呀聲，寬大的窗戶框住了老城街道的寧靜景色。狹窄的鵝卵石街道對面，排列整齊的歷史建築映入眼簾，粉彩色的外牆搭配精緻的鐵欄杆陽台，透著歐洲老城的典雅韻味。夕陽的餘暉映照在窗戶玻璃上，投下溫暖柔和的光影。窗邊擺放著一張小巧的書桌，正適合夜晚閱讀或研究，讓她能靜靜感受這座城市的節奏與故事。

Julia [轉身對 Emma 說]：「這裡一定是個很棒的工作空間。我已經可以想像自己坐在這裡，一邊喝著咖啡，一邊望著屋頂發呆，假裝自己很有生產力。」

Emma：「聽起來是個不錯的計畫。先把行李整理好，然後去找點東西吃吧。我知道一家餃子店，味道超棒，相信我，你一定會喜歡。」

---

Looking Out the Window – A City of Layers

Inside their apartment, early evening. Emma and Julia have finished unpacking. Julia leans against the window, gazing at the city below while Emma prepares tea in the kitchen.

Julia: “It’s fascinating how this city blends the old and the new. From up here, you can see both history and change happening at the same time."

Emma [walking over with two cups of tea]: “Yeah, that’s something I noticed too. Vilnius has had so many identities—first as a medieval capital, then part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, then under Russian rule, later the Soviet era, and now an independent Baltic state."

Julia [nodding]: “And you can see all those layers in the buildings. Look at that block across the street—one side is this beautifully preserved Baroque façade, and right next to it, there’s a much newer, Soviet-era apartment building."

Soviet-era apartment buildings

Emma [handing her a cup of tea]: “Exactly. The old town is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings, but just outside, you start seeing those Soviet-era concrete blocks. And beyond that, you have ultra-modern business districts."

Julia [pointing toward a nearby church tower]: “That church—it looks different from the ones we saw earlier."

Emma [leaning closer]: “That’s St. Catherine’s Church, a Baroque masterpiece. It was abandoned for years during the Soviet era and only recently restored. That’s another thing about Vilnius—many old buildings are being revived, turning into galleries, theaters, and cafés."

Julia [smiling]: “I love that. A city that respects its past but isn’t stuck in it."

Emma [raising her cup]: “To new beginnings, then. And to figuring out where we buy groceries around here."

Julia: “Good point. Let’s go see what this neighborhood has to offer."

---

Exploring the Neighborhood – Finding Essentials

Outside, early evening. The cobblestone streets are bathed in a soft golden glow as the streetlights flicker on. Emma and Julia walk slowly, taking in their surroundings while looking for a place to buy supplies.

Julia [looking around]: “Okay, so where do locals actually shop? I assume we’re not going to find a giant supermarket in the middle of the old town?"

Emma: “Nope, but we do have plenty of small, local stores. Over there—that’s a “Maxima". It’s one of Lithuania’s main supermarket chains. Pretty standard stuff, but it has all the basics."

Julia: “And that one? It looks more like a family-run place."

Emma: “That’s a ‘Mažoji Rinka’, basically a neighborhood grocery store. They usually have fresh bread, dairy, and local produce. If you want something more old-school, there’s a market near the university where locals sell homemade goods."

They keep walking, passing a bakery with warm light glowing from inside.

Julia: “Wait. Is that a bakery? The smell is amazing."

Emma: “Yep, that’s “Liu Patty“, a local favorite. They do great fresh bread and pastries. Want to grab something for breakfast tomorrow?"

Julia: “Absolutely."

They step inside, greeted by the scent of warm, freshly baked rye bread and pastries. The wooden shelves are filled with traditional Lithuanian baked goods, and a small chalkboard lists the daily specials.

Julia: “I have no idea what half of these are, but they look amazing."

Emma [pointing at a loaf]: “That’s ‘Juoda duona’, Lithuanian black rye bread. It’s a staple here, slightly dense, a little sweet. Definitely worth trying."

Julia: “Alright, we’ll take one. And maybe a few of those pastries too."

窗外的景色——新舊交融的維爾紐斯

公寓內，黃昏。Emma 和 Julia 剛整理完行李。Julia 靠在窗邊看著街景，Emma 在廚房準備茶。

Julia：「這座城市把歷史和現代融合得很自然。從這裡看出去，可以同時看到過去和未來的影子。」

Emma [端著兩杯茶走過來]：「是啊，維爾紐斯經歷了很多變遷。它曾是中世紀的首都，後來成為波蘭立陶宛聯邦的一部分，之後又被俄羅斯佔領，經歷了蘇聯時期，現在則是波羅的海地區最自由開放的國家之一。」

Julia：「難怪建築風格這麼多變。你看對面的建築，一邊是古典的巴洛克風格，另一邊則是後來建的蘇聯式公寓。」

Emma [遞給她茶]：「沒錯，這裡的老城充滿了哥德式、文藝復興風格和巴洛克建築，但稍微走遠一點，就能看到很多蘇聯時代留下的混凝土大樓，再往外，就是現代化的商業區。」

Julia [指著遠處的教堂塔樓]：「那座教堂呢？感覺和其他的建築有點不同。」

Emma：「那是聖凱瑟琳教堂，曾經荒廢了很久，直到近幾年才被修復。現在已經變成了一個音樂會場地，這裡很多舊建築都被改造成文化空間。」

Julia：「這座城市真的懂得怎麼保留歷史，又不讓自己停滯在過去。」

---

探索社區，尋找生活用品

黃昏的老城街道，路燈開始點亮。Emma 和 Julia 走在石板路上，尋找超市或商店。

Julia：「所以，當地人一般去哪裡買東西？這裡應該不會有大型超市吧？」

Emma：「沒錯，不過這邊有很多小商店。那邊那家’Maxima‘是這裡最大的連鎖超市，裡面應該什麼都有。」

Julia：「那旁邊這家呢？看起來比較像家庭經營的小店。」

Emma：「這是’Mažoji Rinka’，專賣新鮮的麵包、乳製品和當地農產品。你如果想吃自家製的東西，可以去大學附近的市集，當地人會賣自己做的食品。」

兩人走過一家麵包店，濃郁的烘焙香氣飄出。

Julia [停下腳步]：「我們能先進去嗎？我已經聞到新鮮麵包的味道了！」

Emma：「當然，順便買點明天的早餐吧！」

她們繼續走著，經過一間透出溫暖燈光的烘焙坊。

Julia：「等等，那是麵包店嗎？這味道太棒了。」

Emma：「對，那是 Liu Patty，這裡很受歡迎。他們的麵包和糕點都很棒。要不要買點東西，明天當早餐？」

Julia：「當然要！」

她們推開門走進店裡，迎面而來的是剛出爐的黑麥麵包與甜點的香氣。木質貨架上擺滿了各式各樣的立陶宛傳統烘焙食品，一塊小黑板上寫著今日特選的品項。

Julia：「我完全不知道這些是什麼，但它們看起來都太誘人了。」

Emma [指著一條麵包]：「這是 Juoda duona，立陶宛黑麥麵包。這裡的主食之一，口感稍微紮實，帶點淡淡的甜味，絕對值得一試。」

Julia：「好，那就來一條吧！再加幾個這些糕點好了。」

---

A Warm Dinner in Vilnius

A cozy restaurant in Vilnius Old Town, early evening. Emma and Julia have just finished shopping for essentials and have settled into a small, warmly lit restaurant. The wooden tables and candlelight create a relaxed atmosphere, and the scent of fresh-baked bread and roasted meats fills the air.

Julia [setting down her bag of groceries]: “Alright, I think we’re officially settled in. We’ve got a great apartment, our fridge isn’t completely empty, and now we get to enjoy our first meal in Vilnius."

Emma: “Yeah, I’d say that’s a solid start. And I have to admit, I love how this place feels—cozy, but not overly touristy."

Julia: “I’m excited to try Lithuanian food. What do you recommend?"

Emma [pointing at the menu]: “A classic choice would be cepelinai—potato dumplings stuffed with meat, served with sour cream and bacon. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, there’s kibinai, a pastry filled with lamb or beef, originally from the Karaim community."

Cepelinai—potato dumplings stuffed with meat

Julia: “Potato dumplings and meat pastries? Sounds perfect."

The waiter arrives, and they order. As they wait, their conversation turns to their research plans at the university.

---

Planning Their Semester at Vilnius University

Julia: “So, what’s our game plan for the semester? I know we’re both doing independent projects, but are we collaborating on anything?"

Emma: “I was thinking about that. Since we’re both focused on historical narratives and cultural memory, maybe we could co-host a seminar? The university seemed open to the idea when I mentioned it in our email exchange."

Julia: “That could be really interesting. We could structure it around how different societies reinterpret their past—like how Vilnius itself has shifted between Lithuanian, Polish, and Soviet identities."

Emma: “Exactly. And we could compare it to similar cases—maybe Riga or even further east. I also want to explore how memory is preserved in urban spaces—like how buildings, monuments, and even everyday streets reflect different historical periods."

Julia: “I love that. We could do some on-site analysis too—walk around, document specific sites, talk to local historians. That would make our research more tangible."

Emma: “Great minds think alike. And since we’ll be spending plenty of time at the university, I’d love to explore the archives too. They have a great collection of old maps and documents."

Julia: “Perfect. And maybe we can involve some students—make it more of an interactive project."

Their food arrives, steaming hot. Julia takes her first bite of cepelinai, her eyes widening in appreciation.

Julia: “Okay, this is amazing. I think I just became a fan of Lithuanian cuisine."

Emma: “Told you. And just wait until we try homemade rye bread and honey mead."

Julia: “To a semester of good research, good food, and good coffee."

Emma: “And to discovering all the little details that make this city unique."

They enjoy their meal, their discussion flowing naturally between work and their new life in Vilnius.

---

Grocery Shopping for Their First Home-Cooked Meal

A local supermarket, late evening. Emma and Julia push a small cart through the aisles, picking up essentials. The store is quiet, lit with soft fluorescent lights.

Julia [placing a loaf of dark rye bread into the cart]: “Okay, we have basics: milk, eggs, butter… what else?"

Emma [holding a package of Lithuanian cheese]: “We need something for a proper breakfast. Let’s get some smoked cheese and honey. Maybe some curd cheese too—it’s a local favorite."

Julia [checking her list]: “And vegetables? Maybe we can make a simple salad tomorrow night."

Emma [grabbing fresh cucumbers and tomatoes]: “Good idea. And we should pick up some buckwheat—it’s a staple here."

They reach the checkout, placing their items on the conveyor belt. Julia notices a shelf filled with neatly arranged honey jars.

Julia [grabbing a jar]: “This reminds me, you mentioned honey mead earlier. Is it something we should try?"

Emma [grinning]: “Definitely. It’s a traditional drink, made from fermented honey. I say we save it for a night when we’ve finished a solid day of research."

Julia [laughing]: “Sounds like a plan. Okay, I think we’re ready to go."

They pay for their groceries and step out into the crisp night air, the old town quieting down for the evening.

維爾紐斯的第一頓晚餐

老城區一家溫暖的小餐館，傍晚時分。Emma 和 Julia 剛買完生活用品，坐下來享受她們在立陶宛的第一頓飯。餐館裡燭光搖曳，空氣中飄著新鮮麵包和燉肉的香氣。

Julia [放下購物袋]：「好吧，我想我們算是正式安頓下來了。有了公寓、食物，現在終於能好好享受這座城市了。」

Emma：「是啊，這裡的氛圍很好，不會太商業化，感覺真的像是當地人的日常餐館。」

Julia [翻看菜單]：「我很好奇立陶宛的食物，你推薦什麼？」

Emma：「如果想吃傳統的話，可以試試 cepelinai（馬鈴薯餃），或者 kibinai（肉餡酥皮餅）。」

kibinai 肉餡酥皮餅

她們點餐後，開始討論學術計畫。

Julia [啜飲著飲料]：「所以，我們這學期的計畫是什麼？我知道我們各自有獨立的研究項目，但有沒有可能一起合作點什麼？」

Emma：「我也在想這件事。既然我們都專注於歷史敘事和文化記憶，也許我們可以聯合舉辦一場研討會？我之前在郵件中提到這個想法，學校似乎很感興趣。」

Julia：「這聽起來挺有意思的。我們可以把焦點放在不同社會如何重新詮釋自身歷史，比如維爾紐斯如何在立陶宛、波蘭和蘇聯的不同時期間轉換身份。」

Emma：「沒錯！我們還可以找類似的案例來比較，比如里加，甚至更往東看看。我還想探討記憶如何被保存在城市空間中——像是建築、紀念碑，甚至是日常街道，這些都能反映不同時期的歷史痕跡。」

Julia：「這主題太棒了！我們還可以實地考察，走訪城市，記錄特定地點，甚至訪問當地歷史學者，讓研究變得更具體、更生動。」

Emma：「果然想到一塊去了。而且我們既然會常待在大學裡，也可以多花點時間探索檔案館。我聽說這裡收藏了大量的古地圖和歷史文件，應該很值得一看。」

Julia：「太好了！我們還可以邀請一些學生參與，讓這變成一個更具互動性的專案。」

此時，他們點的餐點上桌，熱氣騰騰地散發著誘人的香氣。Julia 迫不及待地嚐了一口澤普利奈（Cepelinai），驚訝地瞪大眼睛。

Julia：「天啊，這也太好吃了吧！我想我已經成為立陶宛料理的粉絲了。」

Emma：「早就跟你說了！等我們試試自製黑麥麵包和蜂蜜酒，你會更驚艷的。」

Julia [舉起酒杯]：「敬這學期的研究、好吃的食物，還有優質的咖啡。」

Emma [碰杯]：「還有敬這座城市裡那些值得探索的細節。」

她們邊吃邊聊，話題自然地在研究與新生活之間流轉，享受著這頓充滿學術靈感與美食驚喜的晚餐。

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在超市添購生活用品

場景：當地超市，晚間，店內燈光柔和。Emma 和 Julia 推著購物車，挑選食材。

Julia [放下一包黑麥麵包]：「我們有了基本的東西，還需要什麼？」

Emma [拿起一塊煙燻起司]：「我們應該買點適合早餐的東西，像是起司和蜂蜜。」

Julia [拿起一瓶蜂蜜]：「對了，你之前提到蜂蜜酒，值得試試嗎？」

Emma：「當然，這是立陶宛的傳統酒。我建議等我們完成一天的研究，再來好好享受一杯。」

Julia：「聽起來是個好主意。」

她們買完食物，走出商店，夜晚的老城區靜謐而溫暖，迎接著她們新的生活。

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