Lithuanian Connection

Re-connecting with someone from Lithuania!

Some background.

At the World Scout Jamboree (UK, 2007), I met, of a sorts, some folks from Lithuania. This was in our very first patrol activity, learning about the environment. The activity was with a patrol from another troop—as was typical, from another country. In this case, in addition to learning about recycling, we all engaged in a crafts activity using recycled materials.

To enhance the experience, rather than sit with the kids from our troop, I sat with the kids from Lithuania. They were chatting up a storm among themselves as we all made and strung paper beads on bracelets and necklaces. Suddenly, one young woman said, "Let's speak English." It was very evident that she didn't suggest this in order to practice their English with a native English speaker (me). Rather, she wanted to include me in the conversation. Me, a middle-aged American man, sitting with a bunch of Lithuanian teenagers.

I was very touched.

For the next week and a half, whenever we'd see each other around our Sub-camp Dune we'd smile at each other, greet each other. The acquaintance never went beyond that. I didn't know her name, she didn't know mine; the only thing we knew was that we were both in Scouting, she from Lithuania, me from the US.

Then, the magic of connection on the Web struck.

I got a message that someone whose name I did not even begin to recognize (initials: BL) wanted to tag one of my Facebook pictures, and, since she (the name was clearly that of a woman) wasn't among my Facebook friends, I needed to approve this. I looked at the picture and realized what had happened—and was thrilled! The picture was one I'd posted and mentioned in the Dune Subcamp group. BL had seen it and wanted to tag herself in the picture.

Wow. A year later and thousands of miles apart, we re-connect.