Musings of an Ukraine Traveler

Hi y'all, 

I have to practice my English phrases since I will be heading home. Going to have to study Russian everyday once I get there or Natasha is going to kill me. I have a Language Proficiency Exam when I get home. Was supposed to have it in July along with an inservice training (required by PC regulations.) All of us looking forward to it. Got news last week that Georgie boy had cut the money for it--needs more cash for bombs I'm sure. At the same time he's pushing to increase number of volunteers! Same thing with grant money. Our project along with about 50 others in this country cannot go forward as money keeps getting delayed. Was supposed to be dispersed in March, then May and now June. Since I won't be here our project will be delayed even further until I get home. 

Last week, I helped with the emotional/mental health training for group 26 and although I enjoyed it was surely glad to get home for a lot of reasons. Among them is I don't like staying at the hotel that PC reserves for us. It is on the left bank where I swear half of Kyiv lives. That means that no matter what time I leave the hotel or what time I go back to it, I ride like a sardine on the metro. Not as bad when I don't have the backpack, but still pretty claustrophobic ride. At least I never have to worry about falling! We are too packed for that!

 On Monday, I stayed home because we (LEAP) had a "concert" remembering Chernoybl and celebrating Earth Day. There were poems, skits, music and the presentation of prizes for the poster contest. It was really nice. Chernobyl is Ukraine's 9/11 and this oblast was, and still is, heavily affected by the accident. Scientists are predicting at least 4 more generations of genetic defects and illnesses in families and in animals. 

On Tuesday, I got up early, 4:45, so that I could catch the 6 o'clock bus to Kyiv. Was really proud of myself! My bus, the Novohgrad-Kyiv bus hadn't come yet when the Zhytomer-Bursiliv-Kyiv bus arrived. I hopped on, asked the driver if he was going to Kyiv. He said, "Da" and we were off.  BIG mistake. About 5 km out of town, the bus turns south on a road of pure cobblestones that caused the driver to take the bus to the very edge of the forest. We then proceeded to stop and go at every village (it seemed) in the southern part of the oblast. What should have been 1 and a half hours ended up 3 and a half and my bladder nearly burst! I didn't make the training, but I was able to get all my mid service physical completed except for the dental which I will have done next week. Didn't have any problem filling that little cup on demand for my urine analysis.

 The chestnut trees and all others are leafed out now. The cherry trees and apricots are finished blooming, but lots of apple trees' blooms still  hang on. Tulips are up everywhere and soon the chestnuts will bloom. It was sunny this morning, but now has clouded up and feels a little cooler. Everyone will get Monday and Tuesday off for the holiday since it came on Saturday. May 1st is labor day here--like it used to be in the states until the communists made it their holiday for workers. There was a small rally, parade here yesterday. It was all older and some middle aged people and just lasted a couple of hours. 

Today is Yura's birthday and I have been invited to dinner at 6. Natasha says it will be small--no gifts. I already bought him a bottle of cognac soooo. Last week's party for Masha was a wonderful, traditional Ukrainian celebration that did not center necessarily around her. There were 15 adult guests and two boys (10 and 12). As each guest arrived, Masha greeted them, thanked them for the present which she took to another room and opened. The table was spread with salads, chicken, sallow rolled in balls, pig liver pate (the last two I don't eat) and two beautiful baked and presented fish. There was wine and vodka, dark bread. We ate and toasted Masha and her parents. Even I managed to stammer out a Russian toast. Asya brought in a course of mashed potatoes, then a course of hot pelmini (a pasta stuffed with meat and then boiled). I ate and ate. Drank about 4 shot glasses of the wine (port, very sweet).I showed pictures of Idaho, family and friends and then we talked about tornadoes! At the end, the tort beautifully decorated was brought in with candles. There was no singing, but Masha made a wish and blew out the candles. We started at 3 and the party ended about 7:30.

Dear ones,

 Well, this long weekend marked the celebration of Victory Day. Yesterday, Sunday, Korostyshiv honored all the brave soldiers and civilians who fought the Germans. First there was a parade of the veterans. Traditionally dressed girls with the bread and salt of welcome led followed by elderly women and men wearing their ribbons and medals. Many used family members arms or canes for support, but others walked proudly if slowly to the park of heroes. They were followed by delegations of teachers and pupils from each of the schools and the pedagogical college. There were speeches, which this year I could understand much better. Then the lighting of the flame, the firework salute and the laying of flowers at the base of the memorial.

 Therese and I then went to the park amphitheater and listened to traditional and modern music by the students of the music school. It was a beautiful day. It didn't rain for a change and the sun came out full by the afternoon. The carnival that had set up in the rain on Thursday ran full blast last night until nearly midnight. The fountain in the square is going, the chestnut trees are in full bloom and everywhere there is a lush richness to the parks and the gardens. Lilacs started blooming yesterday, too. 

Amit and Amy from our group who work in the Crimea came in Friday afternoon. We had a great visit. We toured Korostyshiv of course, ate a good dinner of salad and fried rice, played Scrabble and they watched a video while I read. There had been a very large explosion near an munitions dump where there train goes. It takes them about 18-20 hours to get home, but the trains had been rerouted because of the explosion so they had an extra 8 hours of travel when they left yesterday. 

At 3 I went to Natasha's birthday party. As usual, a great spread of food, lots of toasts, laughter and great evening. There were many of the same guests plus a new one, a friend of Natasha's who teaches English at the pedagogical college. I didn't do much when I got home except veg out and go to bed.

 This morning is very quiet as most people slept in since they didn't have to go to work and many of them stayed up late last night I am sure partying and discoing. The sun is shining, but there are high clouds and light wind. I got two loads of wash done and another screen put on my bedroom window so I feel I have accomplished a lot. I'm pretty ready for Jim and Joyce and now I have to concentrate on studying my Russian. 

I hope that each of you has a wonderful week.