The third week in Lithuania

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the delay in getting this e-mail out to you. Unbelievably I am busy. This is something I am just not used to!

Last week was particularly busy because Peter and I ran two 2 day workshops. That may not sound much but when you are expecting about 12 or even up to 20 people and in the first workshop 44 people turn up, you need to make some adjustments! There were 31 in the second workshop.

It was funny to see the difference between the two groups. The first were all managers. Unethical behaviour is not a problem anymore in Lithuanian Customs. There is an open culture of learning from mistakes. The staff appreciate the controls in place that ensure they can demonstrate how there is virtually no corruption.

The second were all customs border staff. They said unethical behaviour was still a problem. There is a culture of blame and shame. The controls in place make them feel like criminals and guilty until they can prove themselves innocent.

Now Peter and I have to walk the tightrope between the two!

The workshops took place at the Customs training centre, a very well equipped building run by a woman as mad as a box of frogs. Utterly off her head bless her. Firstly she is quite short and wears glasses which are permanently crooked. Dear Alma has been blessed with a very ample bosom. Unfortunately gravity is taking its toll and they are now tucked into the elasticated waistband of her skirt. Alma doesn't really understand English well but knows a bit. In fact enough for her to finish off your every sentence for you. Except what she says is not what you were going to say. But she thought Peter and I were wonderful and so we think she is fantastic. Should be in a strait jacket, but a great woman.

Officially Lithuania is more dull and wet than the UK. Really in the two weeks I have been here there has been one day of sunshine. The rest of the time it is drizzly and grey. Except today when it has snowed all day. So while the UK has been in the 13 and 14c with clear skies and sunshine, it has been freezing here with snow.

And that's about it really. Not a classic installment I know but to be honest, Vilnius is a bit boring! None of the unpredictable chaos of Bucharest!

Until next time,

Andrew.