First week in Ukraine, August 2018
August 1st. The day finally came. I like late morning or lunch time flights, especially since Ashley joined our team. Sleeping in, packing last minute travelling essentials, and still having time for breakfast, makes it a good start for a trip. When there is chance, we like to eat in one of the restaurants at airport, particularly if we are flying out from PDX. Portland International Airport has been my favorite since we first arrived at it 17 years ago when immigrating to USA from Ukraine. I used to think it was the feeling of being home but, not surprisingly, PDX has been voted as one of the best USA domestic airports for many years.
Let the trip begin. The famous PDX carpet. The two monkeys got to come with us this time. Ashley’s limit was taking two soft toys. This time I encouraged her to take the backpack monkey. The other monkey had the Velcro hands so it could easily hug a luggage handle when needed. 🙂 The less things to hand-carry, the merrier.
Goodbye picture with those who stayed home.
Mark (next to Ashley on the picture below) and David, my nephews, were especially excited for this adventure. This was their first time visiting Ukraine. It was also David’s first time on a plane. I was so glad I could witness their dreams come true as well as their reactions to being in a new to them culture.
I have learned to love new cultures myself! Immigrating to USA as a teenager and travelling were some of the ways through which God thought me to love diverse groups of people and individuals. From thinking it’s funny when someone from a different region pronounces a word in a different way to understanding and accepting (not always agreeing) someone who completely disagrees with my own beliefs. Well, long story short, God’s teaching has not been boring at all. It even included moving to a different country and traveling. No regrets I say. I better note God is not finished with me yet so I plan on showing up for his classes and continue my education. 😉
Back to our trip. There were ten of us on the same plane. My oldest sister, Alla, and her husband, Vasiliy. Sister # 3, Mary, with her husband, Billy, and two sons (Mark and David). Sister # 5, Nadia, who has also been known as my twin even though we were born two years apart. My princess, Ashley, and my hubby who has been my best travelling partner for the last 10 years.
We had a very smooth flight experience. Delta is one of my favorite airlines to fly with because of the great customer service.
9 hours to Amsterdam and then 2 hours to Kiev after about an hour break in between the flights. I think it was the shortest flight I ever took to Ukraine.
On the plane, we surprised Ashley with the hello kitty play set she has been bagging to buy for awhile. It kept her busy for at least 6 hours. It was worth every penny of the $30 dollars and even some diving under the seat for accidentally dropped toy.
We landed in Kiev late afternoon. This was the best going through security experience I have ever had in Ukraine. I should say Kiev’s airport has improved a lot!! Recent expansions and no grumpy personnel is always a plus. 😉 Picked up by our brother-in-law and his friend from church, we headed to my sister’s house which is located on the outskirts of Kiev. After a welcome dinner, we drove to our rental apartment. Vitaliy had arranged all of our housing and car rental well in advance. Quick check-in with the host and we had the accommodations we needed for the 5 day stay in Kiev.
As to be expected with a ten hours time difference, we were up at 4 in the morning. Ashley could hardly wait to get outside to take on the new playground. Gated apartment complex (on pictures below) was recently built and had super nice playground and even a daycare on its premises. A nice bonus for the local residents. We booked the studio apartment through Airbnb and paid less than $20 per night. With prices this low there was no reason to stay with the local family who could definitely use more space in the house because of the wedding preparations.
Early birds readjusting to the local time.
Puzata Hata is the biggest chain restaurant of Ukrainian home-made food. We were there bright and early for breakfast the next day. Comparing to the prices in USA, Ukrainian food prices are very low. I really enjoyed the 3 weeks of not cooking and eating the foods I loved growing up.
Ashley instantly made friends with sweet Esther, her cousin, who is the closest to her age.
The next day’s adventure was finding the manicurist my sister made me an appointment with. Apparently, I was too busy with last minute getting ready and didn’t get it done at home. Misled by navigation on my phone, I ended up in a different part of the city. Taking marshrutka (routed taxi), as instructed by my manicurist who was very kind and willing to help me find the right location, I missed my stop. Apparently, the driver who promised to tell me where to get off didn’t do so until I checked with him if it was possible that I already missed my stop. All my efforts to try to read the taxi stops didn’t help either as some of them were not marked at all. Wow! I was glad I am not so easily shocked anymore when it comes to a culture shock. 🙂 Well, the nail technician whose primary career is teaching was very understanding with me being late and did a perfect job with my nails.
My other cultural refresher that day was the homeless dog who was walking my way while I was walking through people-less street to meet Vitaliy as he was driving to pick me up after my appointment. Vitaliy had to be at the car rental place at the same time as my appointment to switch the rental car to a car with a working air conditioner. I say getting a car with AC was worth the pain of getting lost and walking my way back to the nails place because of the homeless dog.
I am one of those American citizens who really appreciate no homeless dogs on streets of our current home city. I also deeply respect citizens who keep the “leash your dog law”, especially when I roller blade. After having to climb some fences as a child because of a homeless dog chasing me (or the sandwich I didn’t know was placed in my backpack by my thoughtful mommy), I find it not so easy to trust a dog, especially a dog I meet for the first time. Witnessing a few other tragic consequences after dog bites on others had something to do with that too. Don’t get me wrong. I love dogs and we always had a dog, or two, as part of our family growing up. I also have a hard time watching dogs that are not being taken care of by their owners. But there is a part of me that has to still be cautious when it comes to dogs. Just in case. I should mention I am working on overcoming the leftovers of my childhood fears and am definitely trying not to pass it on to my Ashley girl. However, my efforts are not always 100% successful. It might be a sign it’s time for us to get a pet. 🙂
After my morning adventures, we spent the day with my extended family and got to help out with the last minute wedding tables decorations which I always enjoy. Our Ashley girl never gets tired of swings.
And then the wedding day finally came. On the first Saturday of our trip, we celebrated these two lovebirds that God brought together. I always admire a great love story. It’s even more special when it comes to those who are so dearly close to my heart.
Sisters picture before the wedding ceremony.
Gorgeous bridesmaids and a great wedding party. For those who are new to American culture, if you are ever asked whether you were in a wedding party, keep in mind it does not mean you are being asked if you attended the reception part of the wedding. What it actually means is if you were one of the bridesmaids or groomsmen. I was a little puzzled myself when a coworker asked me that question after I said I attended a wedding over the weekend. 😉 Never stop learning new things, that is for sure, especially if life takes you to a different part of the world for one reason or another.
I like to say, “Living in between cultures can be the hardest thing but it can also be the best thing in the world”. You either see it as a huge mountain you are not able to move or decide to hike up and see the beautiful view from the top. Just like a lot of other situations in life. Thankfully, “With God all things are possible.” 🙂 Mathew 19:26
Beautiful set up in the newly built church that was designed just like one of the churches in USA felt like being home.
We are still the Big Family 🤗. That is actually the name of our family chat on Viber. Can’t remember who came up with the name but I like it.
Ashley and David.
And then joined by Mathew. Ashley is a one lucky girl to have so many cousins who adore her and put up with her on some occasions. 😉
With the lovely bride, my younger twin. Some wedding guests thought I was the older sister but I happen to be a one happy aunt. So happy for these two newlyweds and excited to see what God has in store for them!!
The jet lag mood took over my princess as the wedding reception went on. Not so fun for a little girl 🙁 but we still made it almost to the end.
The beautiful wedding day was over. The day I will never forget.
Being jet lagged wasn’t that big of a deal for us, the adults. We still had more than two weeks to get plenty of rest.
I was waiting to eat this Kiev breakfast (on picture below) since our search for places to eat in Kiev. Under Wonder restaurant is located within a walking distance from most of Kiev’s major attractions and had very delicious food and a great service.
Before the stomach bug took over my body on our last day in Kiev, we still got to drive through the city and some newly built residential complexes that are blooming all over the city. Owning an apartment or a property is a number one on a wish list for most Ukrainian citizens. Although, for a lot of people, it takes almost a lifetime to collect the money to buy one. Mortgage financing is sky high (18-20% currently) and is not trusted in Ukraine.
While Vitaliy spent some time with his classmate who lives in Kiev, I was “involuntarily” bound to a couch at my sister’s house. It turned out to be a great opportunity to catch up with my sister.
The following day we were driving to my home town, Rivne, were we spent 10 days. I plan to tell more about out time there when I post next.
Happy travels and journeys!