![\"Vilnia](\"https:\/\/stephendanko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/10\/Vilnia-River.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Vilnia River<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n SOURCE: The Vilnia River. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 26 October 2007.<\/p>\n U\u00c5\u00beupis literally means “the other side of the river”, the river in this case being the Vilnia River. In 1998, the residents declared the area the breakaway republic of U\u00c5\u00beupis with its own flag, constitution, president, and customs officer. The president and customs officer always seem to be off duty.<\/p>\n Locks on the Bridge to U\u00c5\u00beupis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n SOURCE: Locks on the Bridge to U\u00c5\u00beupis. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 26 October 2007.<\/p>\n U\u00c5\u00beupis can be accessed by bridges across the Vilnia, bridges frequently visited by newlyweds who symbolize their commitment to each other by attaching a lock to the railing of the bridge.<\/p>\n The U\u00c5\u00beupio Caf\u00e9<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n SOURCE: The U\u00c5\u00beupio Caf\u00e9. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 26 October 2007.<\/p>\n The U\u00c5\u00beupio Caf\u00e9 was a charming place to stop for a bite to eat and something to drink. In addition to food and drink, the caf\u00e9 also sells copies of the U\u00c5\u00beupis constitution.<\/p>\n The U\u00c5\u00beupis Mermaid<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n SOURCE: The U\u00c5\u00beupis Mermaid. Photographed by Stephen J. Danko, 26 October 2007.<\/p>\n From\u00c2\u00a0the\u00c2\u00a0banks of the Vilnia River bubbling past\u00c2\u00a0the U\u00c5\u00beupio Caf\u00e9, the U\u00c5\u00beupis Mermaid relaxes and gazes tranquilly at the revelers above.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2007 by Stephen J. Danko<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On the day I arrived in Vilnius, my cousins Liliana and Aidas met me at the airport, brought me to Aidas’ apartment in Vilnius where I stayed the entire week, and then took me on a brief tour of the … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n