Musings of an Ukraine Traveler

Downtown Chicago--Michigan, Dearborn and Illinois Streets--was the site chosen to set the stage for myself and 80 other PC volunteers for our service in Ukraine. From March 2 through the 3rd, PC trainers initiated us to purpose of the PC Ukraine program and provided us the opportunity to get to know our fellow volunteers--our new family for the next 27 months. We also learned about the PC policies that will ensure a safe and effective service. Finally we learned all the ins and outs of our departure from the US--getting all those bags to the airport and getting through security!

Emily, Karen, Delilah, Bill, Jerry and Connie enjoy real Chicago deep dish pizza at Pizza Due. Farewell America.

Chris has made it through the line but the rest of PCT 24 waits patiently at O'Hare

Group 24 is a wonderful, interesting collection of 80 people from all over the country. We are young, middle-aged and seniors; we are Italian, Vietnamese, Polish, German, Chinese, Irish, Cuban, Japanese, Iranian, Hispanic and Indian. There are 5 married couples and we have one physically challenged volunteer. We represent many types of degrees and professions, few or many years of experience. We are divided into three sectors--business, NGO facilitators and environmental education.

The flight from Chicago to Frankfurt was over 7 hours long, but one during which we slept, read and got to know a little bit more about someone we hadn't yet interacted with. Mostly we did all of the above. The plane wasn't comfortable for even the smallest of us as far as leg room or the width of the seats. Meals and snacks were often, but not very good. Most of us were starving for more water. Couldn't get enough! So we were glad to land in Frankfurt.

Kevin and Bill have just heard we're ready to board.

Tracy and Mike use the Frankfort smoking station.

Frankfurt, Germany

Except for the language and the smoking stations, I would never have known I wasn't in an airport in the States. This stop was a good chance to sleep, smoke, stretch and buy a bottle of water or a beer and who would pass up good German beer!!