We're changing it up and visitng Danila every other day now, because we need to save money on our driver fees in the event that we have to stay longer in country. It sucks, because we feel like the only useful thing that we are doing here is visiting our boy...ah, well. We are quickly finding out that they way we *thought* everything would turn out, in fact, isn't how it is.
Such is life!
We made it out to breakfast and then to the Bible study group at our missionary friends' house for the evening. Bible study is interesting from another perspective, and it's fun to listen to the Russian translation of everything. It's also super nice to talk to Americans...to have people to talk to who understand every word of what you say is a treat. It is socially exhausting to talk across a language barrier, no matter how friendly and wonderful your company is!
So let's talk about fun things here in UA.
1. We went out for coffee this morning and I ordered a fruit filled pastry to go with it. They asked if I wanted ice cream on it. Um, no. It's 9:30am. Not ready for ice cream. Everywhere, any time, people are eating ice cream. As I sit here in McDonald's, probably 80% of the people have an ice cream cone. We saw 2 police officers standing on the corner, eating ice cream cones the other day. The frozen foods sections of every grocery store we've been in has probably 6 feet of freezer space dedicated to individually wrapped ice cream treats.
Our favorite place to get it is at a Gelato place near Coffee Life...SO YUM, and we can get 2 cones for less than $4.
2. Hammer pants are in, as is the concept "more is more". Lots of embellishments on clothing, shoes, etc. Clothes are busy, and everyone is beautiful.
3. Our driver was pulled over for speeding today. He got out of the car with his papers and 50rph (about $6). He came back in 3 minutes, saying that he told the police officer that he had Americans that he had to take to the airport, and he didn't have time, and he gave them the money and we were on our way! I really wish I could have done that when I was caught speeding in Virginia this summer. 50rph is a lot less than what my ticket cost me.
4. There are a bunch of second hand stores here that are fun to poke around in (that's where we found this awesome mannequin), but the clothing is really, really, really second hand, and you have to spend a lot of time finding the perfect item.
5. Restaurants that have picture menus are awesome: McD's, most Sushi bars, and some pizza places. Cafeteria style food is almost as good- you can point at what you want, though you can never be sure what you're getting. Celentanos, Felice's, and Pizza Bella have English menus.
6. I bought a sweet bun looking thing at a pastry counter at the supermarket. Turns out it was filled with some kind of fish paste. NOT what I was expecting!!
7. Smoking is really popular here. More smokers than I have ever been around in my life. It's strange to be in a restaurant and sit next to smokers.
8. Need something to do? Buy a beer from one of the many stands on the streets and sit on a bench and drink with your friends. Don't like beer? It's ok...just do shots :) We did get a beverage and sit on a bench. It was kind of nice.
9. We are getting good at making friends in places that we frequent (ie, McDonald's and the Intelecom internet place). They speak some English, and smile when we walk in the door. I imagine that they say things like, "Aw, aren't they cute trying to speak Russian?!"
10. We spent an afternoon going to every supermarket that we could find (we even rode the bus!!). Most interesting find: Horse Jerky. Yum!
11. Ukraine could really use some more breakfast restaurants. IHOP, Waffle House, etc. Someone needs to teach them about fluffy pancakes.
12. Personal space is different here. If you don't stand close to the cashier/teller/etc, then someone will walk right up and get in front of you. Same goes for driving. If you leave a carlength in front of you (or even if you don't) someone will cut in. When we ride the metro or the bus, everyone packs in SO TIGHT. Literally, there must be no laws about maximum capacity in these situations. People were riding the bus while standing in the stairwell next to the door. I'm surprised more people don't fall out. On the Metro, if you aren't aggressive about getting on or off the car, then you won't get a chance to do either. People aren't rude about it, and they don't push or touch you, but everyone is just CLOSE and no one will step aside for you because it's "your turn".
I remember in Japan that we were also pushed like sardines into the trains. Had to make sure you were at least near a door, or headed for a door before you were even near the stop. There was a McD's across from Chris' apartment. Dahni was overjoyed! He went there for coffee 'hotte cohhee' every morning. They cried when he went in on the last morning! Fish paste? No, but buns with sweet red bean paste! yum! And in the grocery store -- fish so fresh it still moved under the plastic wrap. We did get a break to use our English when Chris and Brenna would come home. Other than that we did our best at unintentionally murdering the Japanese language. But the people were so nice -- because we tried to communicate. Wouldn't change that 4 week experience for the world. Keeping you both in our prayers. Love you lots.
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