Pakruojis Manor - Pakruojo Dvaras

Last year one day we decided to add a touch of culture, adventure and whimsy to our summer and headed over to Lithuania to check out what that Pakruojo Dvaras fuss was all about, as they had been heavily advertised in local online sites as this Midsummer Night's Dream inspired feast to the senses. We were sold.

I bought the tickets online. Somehow ended up with just a confirmation code for the purchase and not the tickets themselves (checked spam folder and everything), which was kind of worrying at first, but getting there armed with the confirmation code and patience, we managed to sort out the situation and got it.

Relieved that it did not end up being just some sort of online scam and that we actually got in we soon enough forgot all initial worries and were fully immersed in the floral visuals, architecture and all the cute little details along the way. We had reached a consensus - this was all well worth it!

I'm not entirely sure if they plan to change the theme, or are they going with the same Midsummer Night's Dream year after year, but that you'll have to check out for yourself should you decide to visit them someday.

What I was so excited about was how 'drawable' everything looked. The visuals just asked to be put on paper in a whimsical style, ideally then and there, but since the thought that I should bring art supplies with me had not occurred, I just had to resort to taking pictures to draw from them as reference, later on.

And this was the main reason for more than a year-long delay on this post to begin with. I had wanted to finish the intended drawings first.. but somehow got stuck. The unfinished drawings lay around my desk as a silent reproach, but I wasn't going to force it, as it is still so tricky with me, drawing and demand avoidance. I need to establish for myself that I draw because I want to, not because I'm forced to.

I wasn't stressed about the drawings though, as I knew I'd return to them eventually when the correct feeling returned. I think I have learned to trust that the feeling does return sooner or later if I'm not putting unnecessary pressure on myself.

And I was right. I did finish the rest of them in a sudden spurt of inspiration..

Just to wait for the next sudden burst of inspiration to write up the post.. ha ha (sad) ha.. But nevertheless..! Ta-daaah, we're finally here. Better late than never, am I right?

I did genuinely enjoy the whole experience, the trip, the vibe, the visuals. As a little special cherry on the top, there was even a talking parrot, a green one at that! ^^

Surely there was a language barrier there, but still for a Josie that was like a hug from the Universe itself.