Caroline Mackenzie, PCV, Ukraine 2010 - 2012

Caroline–RPCV Ukraine 2010-2012

2012-05-17T12:47:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I am very very proud today. I have completed my Peace Corps service! All the paperwork is processed and Caroline is an RPCV

It has been a very very emotional week saying goodbye to my Ukrainian family; there is a new lake in Luhansk because of all my tears!

1) Olya, Director of School #1 in Molodogvardeyst 2) Lyudmilla, my tutor, and Alosha her son 3)Alosha, Lyudmilla and Caroline

1) Kurt, Anya, Elena, Cary, CLM, Maria, Adil

2) May 9 (VE Day) FRIENDS: Will, CLM, Artiom, Wyoming, Maxim, Amy

3) Dr. Yuri- having fun being the Shashlik chef

The farewell party at the Train station (the Train station police were VERY upset that we had champagne!)

1) L to R: Tayana, Lena, Marina, CLM, Natalya, Irina, Vera 2) L to R: Irina, Christina, Vera, Alosha, Dim, Alexey, Pasha, Vicki, Valya 3) ClM, Natalya, Irina

1) Artiom, CLM, Nina (my cooking club pals) 2) Valya and Amy Woodstock (PCV pal) 3) Valya, CLM and Gala – my first three students for English tutoring!

1) CLM and Nina 2) Artiom and CLM My cooking club pals!!

My office colleagues (really my Ukrainian family) and Amy (who often helped me with my colleagues)

Back row: L to R Gala, Natalya, Alosha, Irina, Christina, Vera

Kneeling or seated: L to R: Dim, Valya, Amy, Alexey, CLM, Tatyana, Marina Lena

Children: Pasha and Vicki

Thanks to my Ukrainian friends, I had an unbelievable and wonderful experience in Ukraine.

And so…..

My PCV pal, Amy and I took one last Ukrainian train – Luhansk to Kiev - and had one last train picnic…..it was 105F (41C) when we left Luhansk.

The train was a trifle hot for a while! The air con eventually worked!

AND then… I turned over the keys to my wonderful flat, to Will Granger, PCV, who will take over the Luhansk Bed and Breakfast.

I know the transition / coming home is going to be difficult, but I am pretty sure I can handle public toilets that supply toilet paper, clothes dryers, and refrigerators that have ICE and COLD WATER TAPS!

And what amazing facts have I added to my wealth of knowledge and travel and living overseas….

1) I know that the shelf life of a zip lock bag is about two years.

2) Duct tape really does hold lots of things together!

3) You cannot beat fresh fruits and vegetables – all summer long….

4) Family bonds grow deeper.

My Mom (4/1919-1/2012) and my Dad (4/1920 – 2/2009) – both very proud that I became a Peace Corps volunteer

1 & 2) My siblings with Mom- June 2011 2) My son-in-law Josh Rees, Frances Mackenzie and Ian Mackenzie - January 2012

5) Friendships never die, they just get stronger!

John Theroux and Pat Holmes – my travel pals- who came all the way to Ukraine!

See everyone back home!

THANK YOU for reading all about my Peace Corps Service for the last two+ years!

All the best to everyone!

Caroline

MY LAST DAYS IN LUHANSK

2012-05-08T11:44:00.001-07:00

It’s hard to believe that as I type, I have three days left in Luhansk, which means my worthwhile adventure is coming to an end!

Since my last posting, the weather has taken a full turn to summer! The trees are green, the tulips have bloomed, the lilacs are in full bloom everywhere and the temperature is a warm 82F.

And what better way to celebrate the summer-like weather than to have a barbecue. Shashlik (Americanization of шашлик) is THE word for barbecue here and so my cooking club and our English Talk Club had one last cooking adventure before my departure! We had excellent food and super weather. But the best time was provided by my Peace Corps friend, Cary Bolnik, who introduced an American Water Balloon toss to our Ukrainian and Iraqi friends. VERY SUCCESSFUL!

1 and 2) Cary giving directions about the Water Balloon toss 3) My partner Artiom- the tall guy!

The teams “tossing” and the last two two teams standing (and dry)

Shashlik and the cooks: Andrew, Alexey and Yuri

Enjoying the Shashlik!

1) A little bit of home with the Shashlik: KC Barbecue sauce and a Bears Football. 2) Caroline and Crystal taste testing!

The Shashlik Gang!

I have been busy at work: two more seminars about American Public Service Announcements! We presented to groups of journalists (TV and print) from our Oblast and other cities and also to Journalism students.

1) Alexey – blind lawyer from Kharkiv talking about responsibility of the media 2) CLM in the audience 3) CLM and the Panel of speakers

1) CLM and her translator 2) my presentation on the screen

I had my final tutor session with my young adult students- wonderful group.

Anton, CLM, Sasha, Olga and Katya

And then I had one last visit to Sister Olga at her new orphanage. I had donations to take to her and I wanted to see her new orphanage, which is about a kilometer from the Russian border. Sr. Olga takes care of five orphans (all with different levels of disabilities) and now she has plenty of space and many rooms to house, to teach and to feed her children. Yes, I have lots of information about how to help Sr. Olga when I am back home in the USA.

Sr. Olga showing me the “boys room – to be” and Aloysha and Dim building the new donated bunk beds for the children

1) Sophie, Sasha, and Tanya showing me the young girls room 2) Volya and Tanya 3) Volya and Sr. Olga

The finished chapel and the huge kitchen area- still being remodeled

1) Sr. Olga with Misha (blind) 2) Sophie ready for naptime 3) the garden planted by the children

And between work seminars, I traveled to see other Peace Corps volunteers in the area. I went to visit my friend Amy Woodstock in the town of Staribelsk (Старибелскь) and help Amy with a one day girls’ leadership camp.

The one-day campers

My friend Amy – in action!

I also visited my Peace Corps friend, Hailey Spencer, in the town of Molodogvardeyst- ( ) a coal mining town south of Luhansk. We had a great walk around her the outskirts of her town; the objective of our walk was the “Black Lake”… which really is black!

1) The town of Molodogvardeyst and 2) the road leave “Molo” for the next town. 3) Looking toward the Black Lake and "air pollution”

The Cemetery for the next town and a picnic table at a gravesite. Ukrainians visit their deceased relatives on the Sunday after Easter.

1) A sink hole along our walking route 2) Wild Flowers – wild poppies 3) A view of our destination- The Black Lake

The Black Lake and the shore line of the Black Lake

1 and 2) Hailey and CLM posing for the camera– something Ukrainians do for all photos! 3) the source of the black sludge….

1) The Blue Lake on the left, the Black Lake on the Right 2) The Blue Lake

On Saturday May 5, Kentucky Derby Day, my friend Amy Quick, her Ukrainian friend Yuri and his mother asked me to join them on a day long adventure. We visited a church that was built on the site of a very famous spring, about an hour from Luhansk city center.

1) Yuri’s mom, Yuri and Amy at our picnic stop 2) American Gothic Ukrainian style

1) The road and the sign for the church 2) The church in the woods famous for the water in the spring

(I was not supposed to take pictures of the site!)

After visiting the spring and collecting four liters of the special spring water, we drove on to the horse farm built by Catherine the Great in the later 1780’s. Absolutely fabulous site, sadly in need of lots of love (and money), but historically interesting and the current administrator and his wife are delightful people. They gave our small group a terrific tour of the facilities.

1) The entrance to the horse farm 2) An old oak tree and old fountain

Two views of the Administrator’s house/office – built during Catherine the Great’s reign when the farm was built

A small cottage that now houses a small museum of trophies and photos of the horses from the turn of the century 1890/1900.

1) An invitation for one of famous horses in 1960 to compete in the Washington, DC International

2) The current administrator autographing a book he wrote about the history of the horse farm.

I will be able to practice my Russian!

1) A model of the farm- the buildings are in the shape E I I – for Ekaterina (Russian for Catherine) II

2 and 3) the base and outside of the “E” – main stables. The horse farm once housed 1000 horses!

1) A view down the long part of the “E” corridor with stalls on both sides. 2) My friend Amy meeting a resident.

1) The center of the “E”- the auction and sales hall. 2) The top end of the “E” building.

Looking at the interior courtyard—the inside area of the “E” building

1) More residents enjoying the outside sunshine 2) the first of the “I” buildings- which houses the brood mares and foals

Moms and foals (all one month old) in the three photos above

1) A two-month old foal 2) an orphan. Too bad my suitcase is too small. He is cute!

The exhibition and training hall. (the “.” in the EII model). The building is the original wood, from trees in Siberia. Very cool structure.

The central core supports the entire roof. Reminds me of the shaft of an umbrella!

Looking back at the base and mid-point of the “E” building

1) A small snack after our tour 2) Oops—forgot the vodka..which was hiding in the model of the church

1) Our hosts, the administrator and his wife 2) Amy is so happy as she has an autographed book, too!

After our wonderful tour, the administrator took us out to the countryside… literally driving in the fields…. to go Marmot hunting and wildflower hunting.

1) We found LOTS of marmots in the field. 2) And even a lizard living in a marmot hole

1) The car – turning around in the fields after the marmot hunt and the flower hunt. 2) The tractor track that we drove on!

The wildflowers and a bouquet for Yuri’s mom.

Tomorrow is a holiday- VE day in Europe, Victory Day here- when the Russians beat the Germans in WWII. It’s a huge holiday- parades, festivals, concerts- the works. Thursday, I do my final packing and cleaning as a new Peace Corps volunteer will be moving into my apartment. Friday is my last day at work. Saturday, May 12, I take my last overnight train from Luhansk to Kiev.

It will be very hard to say good bye to my colleagues and friends. BUT I know it isn’t really good bye, it is just “until we meet again.”

My Ukrainian work colleagues—really my Ukrainian family

My next blog will be from CAROLINE – RETURN PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER!!! (RPCV)

Thank you all for everything you have done to help me with this adventure!

Lots of love to everyone.

Caroline

WALKING AROUND LUHANSK

2012-04-15T02:00:00.001-07:00

Hello all,

HAPPY ORTHODOX EASTER SUNDAY!

Caroline’s “Paska” or “кулич”. It was blessed this morning, April 15, at 5:30 a.m. I returned home and had some! It is really good!

Lucky me to have two Easters – Catholic Easter, last Sunday, April 8, and Orthodox Easter. Today!

These are photos from my April 8 Easter celebration: Easter brunch, complete with Quiche, bacon and bloody Marys!

Easter Brunch with my good friends: Kyle Borley, Rachel Simonelli, Amy Woodstock and Hailey Spencer

SO now that the weather if a bit warmer, it is more fun to walk to work, walk to church, walk anywhere, really! So, I will share a few of my normal walks around Luhansk.

First: Everyone needs a landmark to figure out where “home” is.

The radio/tv/satellite towers are the landmark. The towers sit in a park directly across the street from my building. (2nd photo)

When I leave my building, I walk down the small alley, turn past the flower vendors and then come to my main street , КОЦЮБИНСКОГО , Kotzubinskogo – the name of my street in English.

WALKING TO WORK (The photos show all the seasons here in Luhansk… fall colors, winter ice, spring mud thaw and summer)

While our offices are being remodeled, I have a 30 minute walk to work; our office is currently located in the department of rehabilitation therapy at Shevchenko National University in Luhansk.

The alley in front, the small bazaar where I turn the corner, go to my street – Kotzubinskogo, then left to the Theatre square, up to the main street, pass shopping areas, cut through the University grounds, pass through the park, pass the Blue church, cross the street to the office building.

My alley in Fall, the Theater square, the City Hall and city center square

Luhansk’s main street, Sovetskaya

1) One of the main intersections, right turn to 2) the entrance gate to Shevchenko National University 3) in the campus a the park with famous, old stones on the campus grounds

Details of some of the old stone statues. The orthodox church on campus- a landmark as the church is very blue!

My office is across the street from the blue church.

WHEN I walk to purchase my train tickets, I walk to the train station.

From my street, Koutzbinskogo, I turn right and walk down the hill to the train station. In the spring, summer and fall, this is a 20 minute walk. In the winter with the ice, it is a 10 minute SLIDE down the hill and a 40 minute careful walk up the hill.

1)My street, my building in the middle, 2) the walk down the hill, the train station has the arch entrance, l3)ooking back up the hill to my apartment complex.

The central bazaar is an “more or less” open shopping area in the center of Luhansk. The bazaar is open from 9 until 3, daily except Mondays.

I always see people feeding stale bread to city pigeons. Two babushkas coming home from market.

While the main street, Sovetskaya, and my street, Koutzbinskogo, are paved streets with a lot of traffic, just two blocks either direction of the main streets, the roads in Luhansk are pretty awful. The potholes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, do not even come close to the horrible pot holes in Luhansk (that get worse after every winter).

Below is a typical marker or warning of a very large hole in the street….

After all the waking, it’s nice to come home and just look out my window!

1) A rainbow after one of the latest rain storms 2) Tree trimming- spring is here and the green leaves are not far behind!!!

Thanks for letting me share my walking routes and a little more of Luhansk!

I look forward to seeing everyone very soon!

Caroline

Sporting a Ukrainian braid… soon to be given to Locks of Love!!

TWO YEARS!

2012-03-27T11:09:00.001-07:00

March 27, 2010

Caroline at the San Diego International Airport with the allowed 100 pounds of stuff … and a bit more….

A City water main on Harbor Drive broke the morning of my flight causing major traffic delays and every flight leaving San Diego was delayed three to six hours. I made it to D.C. at 2 a.m. the next day!

The green navy parachute bags in the photo belong to my organization now as these bags will hold LOTS and as my organization has changed office space a few times during our original office remodel, these bags are great. The bag cart/carrier is also now happily at home with my organization. The tennis racquet is coming home!

June 17, 2010

After three months of language and cultural training, the 100 allowed pounds of luggage has somehow multiplied to four huge bags that contain: Fifty pounds (yes, I kid you not 50 pounds) of Russian language materials, an electric heater for my soon-to-be-discovered living conditions (another 50 pounds) ; a fire extinguisher for the soon-to-be-discovered living conditions, a smoke alarm for the soon-to-be-discovered living conditions, and mosquito netting for my soon-to-be-discovered living conditions.

We had to put all this stuff on the train – under my bed/bench/bunk and under my travel companion’s bed/bench/bunk – and then we had to take it all off the train and get it to my soon-to-be-discovered living conditions!

July 5, 2010

Ready to move to my flat in the city center.

Added a fan and a printer to the collection of stuff!

July 6, 2010 to May 13, 2012

I thought it might be fun to share with everyone what my little flat is like. As Peace Corps Ukraine experiences go, I have absolutely zero complaints. I live in the city center. I have running water all day every day. I have hot water, all day every day. I have indoor plumbing, a tub that also had a great shower. I have very fast internet service. I walk daily to work, to the markets, to the train station, to the symphony, to just about everything.

My building as seen from the street in front of my flat. First photo was taken at the end of Summer 2011, second photo was taken this spring, March 25, 2012

This is the view of the street from my living room, kitchen and bedroom. These photos were taken during the seasons- spring, summer, and winter!

The photo with the full moon was the night of the BIG, Bright Full moon, one year ago, March 19, 2011.

This is the small street that runs parallel to the street in front of my building. I access my building via this little street.

This is the entry to my building. Once the door is open, there is a small entry and then stairs up to the elevator (which I won’t use). The stairs have a variety of “rises” from one inch to 12 inches! And there is no light in the hall way. The light is by the elevator. I did not use these mailboxes. I had a P.O. box at the local post office, two blocks from my building.

This is the stairwell; I walk up four flights of stairs to my apartment. There are three apartments on either side of the elevator. The walls are less than perfect and the wiring is in tubes on the exterior of the walls. When the Soviets pulled out of Ukraine, any Ukrainian that was living in an apartment (that was owned and managed by the State) became an instant owner of the flat. BUT because the buildings were always maintained by the State, NO ONE takes care of anything other than their personal flat. Hence, the stairways, the hallways, the walls, etc.. are in very bad shape and need TLC. The last photo in the group below shows the elevator and landing the area with three apartments on the left side, one of which is mine.

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The first photo is the heavy steel door that unlocks to the area where my Flat is. The three buzzers are the door bells that advise me someone is visiting. The second steel door (with my “playdough” décor) is my front door. The third door, with the number 13, it the door that opens into my flat. Note that the #13 is on the inside door, not the heavy exterior door.

WELCOME TO MY HOUSE!

While the hallways, stairwells and exterior areas of the buildings may look depressing, many apartments, once inside, are nice. My flat was remodeled just before I moved in in July 2010.

First photo: my entry hall where you leave your shoes and coat. Second photo: shows doors to the WC and the bathroom (sink and tub). The hall goes directly to the Kitchen.

My living room has a wardrobe, a sofa, three tables, my computer desk, five stools, two chairs. The wardrobe has a mirror and shows the reflection of my living space. My bedroom is a small enclosed porch off the living room. I have vinyl windows WITH SCREENS in all three rooms.

I have had a lot of fun living in my little flat. IAs many of you have seen in past blogs, I have cooked up a storm in the tiny kitchen with one oven, four burners and a very small sink!

Living proof that my live style is transportable anywhere!

Because I purchased most of the apartment supplies and bedding, it is now time for the “Great Luhansk Garage Sale” in order to sell or donate almost everything (clothes, dishes, pots, pans, kitchen cutlery, and WINTER CLOTHES) that is in my little flat.

Hard to believe that in six weeks, I will return home with a lot less than 100 pounds of stuff, but I will have a lifetime of great memories with my PC pals from Group 38

Next blog, I will take you on a walk around Luhansk!

ENJOY SPRING! I hope rain comes to California and I hope sun and lovely trade winds stay in Hawaii!

Caroline

Happy Women’s Day

2012-03-07T09:32:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone!

Today we celebrated Women’s Day. This day is a VERY BIG DEAL in Ukraine. So important in fact, that everyone (or almost everyone) has a four day holiday weekend. YES… Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

And no this holiday does not replace Mother’s day in May!

Our organization celebrated with a fun festival- the young men put on aprons and recited poems of thanks to their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, friends etc.

And then, the group played fun games: taking balloons and making a lovely feminine face and adding a scarf – adding the scarf was tough on a latex balloon!

Then the entire group had fun making cards for the women in their life or we made picture frames from craft sticks, yarn and very glittery, very fun stickers! I am using the last of the fun things all my friends from home have sent to me! MY group has had a ball with all these craft items from home.

While my work is lots of fun- literally creative fun, I have also been busy with more seminars presenting what Americans do for disabled students, elementary school through college. Our organization has received funding from the United Nations Development Fund for seminars on “Inclusive Education.” It is fascinating to look out and see faces of teachers : Some teachers are so ready to move forward and have disabled children in their classrooms.

It would not be a complete blog from Caroline without a Luhansk cooking club update! Sunday, Feb. 26, we celebrated Pancake Day, well really Pancake Week in Ukraine. Rather than one day, Mardi Gras, for one last party before Lent, Ukraine celebrates the week before their Lent with Pancakes. LOTS of pancakes. The cooking club had an evening of Ukrainian pancakes and American buckwheat pancakes. The Ukrainian pancakes had cheese and fruit syrups. The American pancakes had black currants on them (because I thought I had bought blueberries) , maple syrup and bacon! A total feast before Lent.

Our Ukrainian cooks making Bliny

The American cooks making buckwheat pancakes

Bacon and pancakes…. ready for syrup!

When I finished my last blog, I had thought perhaps spring might not be far behind. I will never have a job as a weather forecaster! We have had more snow and many more cold days. We had two days where the temperature was +1 (that is 33F) and so the snow became lovely slush. And then the thermometer went back to –7 or –8 and all that slush turned to ice!

Brown ice on the sidewalks—sand is used to “melt” the ice, but it doesn’t work the way salt does. It is just very slick and very uneven.

A mini-skating pond on the side walk!

The ONLY ice I really like- and where it belongs!

To all my gal pals, celebrate Women’s Day in style. To all my guy buddies, celebrate Women’s Day with a wonderful lady!

See everyone soon! (72 days remaining!)

Big hug to all.

Caroline

Happy Valentine’s Day

2012-02-14T10:54:00.001-08:00

Hello Family and Friends!

Yes, it has been about two months since my last blog/update on my life as a Peace Corps volunteer. The reason for the delay: I am just back from a three-week emergency leave trip to the US. Sadness and joy in one trip. In mid-January my Mom took a nasty fall, which put her in the hospital. My brothers called and asked that I come home, which I did. I was extremely fortunate to be with my Mom for three days before she died on 25 January. She is now happily with my father, the love of her life (they were married 65 years) and now, both are watching over all of us.

Isaure “Zo” de La Chapelle Lord

April 5, 1919 – January 25, 2012

It is good to be back at work; Mom was extremely proud of what I am doing. And yes, I am happy to be back at work to finish my service. OK.. so maybe the weather is a bit horrible; so horrible that Ukraine’s weather has made international news! It was –29C when I arrived back in Luhansk.

Winter…. fresh snow.

Ice on our streets… and as you see, no one is out walking! It is that cold!

It may be cold….BUT… I do have my animal skin – not sure what kind of animal- coat. The coat was a huge hit in California… “what sort of animal is that really Aunt Caroline?” NOTE: the coat, known as the “Wookie” is so big and so heavy, it fills one overhead bin on a plane.

Family having fun wearing the Wookie

Today is Valentine’s day! My organization asked me to do a “paint your own heart magnet” and yes, I obliged. What a great day and what fun!

As I write today, it is a balmy –1C, which means it is too hot for the wookie! Is spring around the corner? And of note, I have less than 100 days of service before I return back home! Time flies when you are having fun! A few more blogs to come, I promise.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you.

Fondly,

Caroline

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2011-12-23T03:12:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone!

December just flew by! Lots of interesting adventures this month!

At the beginning of the month, I went to visit one of the “better” rehabilitation hospitals, which is located in Donetsk, a three-hour drive by car.

1. I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE US Road system!

2. I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR OUR SEAT BELT LAWS WHICH ARE ENFORCED.

3. I AM VERY GRATEFUL (as difficult and convoluted as it is) for our Health care and our hospitals!

My organization had arranged a seminar with the hospital administration and Donetsk administration officials to discuss spinal cord injuries and therapy. I was asked to give a presentation on what we in the US do for spinal cord injuries. Considering I am not a doctor, I had no clue what to present or where to look for information. Thanks goodness for Google Research, the NCI web sites, AND the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.org. I managed to put together a few slides with a few statistics on Spinal cord injuries in the US and then a few slides on ways to prevent spinal cord injuries -- like enforcing seat belt laws, regular enforcement of work safety programs, enforcing the drunk driving laws, and enforcing the no talking on cell phones while driving. Sadly, I never gave my presentation… BUT I am ready for the next seminar on spinal cord injuries which will be in March 2012.

The entrance to the hospital… not very welcoming! The parking area at the entrance.

Notice the Open manhole cover. Our vehicle is the white one and had I not been looking when I got out of the car, I would have fallen in the manhole!

What a way to get patients for the hospital!!!

The photos are of the two elevators- which have lift operators that sit in the elevator, with a little table, a chair and lots of decorations.

On the right, the signage on the elevator door lets one know that the lift operator takes a break every day from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

Every floor has a common toilet… rooms have six beds and no toilet facilities.

Note that there IS NO TOILET PAPER—you bring your own! AND there are no handle bars / gripping bars!

After this rather dismal start, life perked up quickly!! I had a birthday…. “now that I am 64…..”and I celebrated in Kiev with Friends and then in Luhansk with Friends!

And the best December adventure yet…. My good friend, Kyle (a PCV from Wisconsin and a great tennis player), and I played tennis at the local club.

It was the best $25 I have spent in a long time.

My organization began celebrating the holidays on Dec. 19 with a Concert and Festival in honor of St. Nicholas. My young disabled friends all participated in song, dance, or poetry recitals. Plus several local entertainers were part of the celebration: the young gal on the trapeze was terrific!!

The young children from the orphanage performed. The young gymnast was spectacular!

The balancing act was quite something. My young friend Maxim, who won the overall prize in the November Festival, was back to sing a holiday song.

On Tuesday, Dec 20, a wonderful sponsor in Luhansk, gave the disabled children who were in town for the concert, two fabulous hours of fun at the local “family fun center”. I was the official “mamarazzi” and I had a blast watching these children play video games, play air hockey, pitch basketballs, driver Ferraris, ride bikes and jump on trampolines. The facility is on the fourth story of a high rise in the center of town, and the building has a very modern elevator which makes the facility accessible for everyone.

Riding against Lance Armstrong! Driving across the USA!

Having fun as an Indy 500 driver! Pitching basketballs!

I don’t know who had more fun--- the caretakers or the children!

The trampoline was a big hit with every age group! As were the roly-poly cars!

Air Hockey was FUN! Video version of James Bond!

Having Fun!

Having more fun!

Absolutely exhausted…. too much fun!

AND TO TOP IT OFF……….

PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST!

And after a morning of fun, I had a creative craft session for two hours…. we made holiday trees using old origami paper, construction paper and white glue.

WE HAD FUN!!

And it would not be December without holiday cheer and a visit from Santa or as he is called in Ukraine, Дед Мороз, (sounds like Ded Moroz ). This translates to Grandfather Frost. Grandfather Frost is usually accompanied by his granddaughter, Снегурочка, (sounds like Snegurochka), and translates as the Snow Maiden. Both deliver presents to children beginning on Dec. 19, St Nicholas day in Ukraine. Ukrainians have a юлка (sounds like yulka) which is a New Year's tree and looks exactly like our Christmas trees. Ded Moroz resembles Santa Claus, with his coat, boots and long white beard. Снегурочка dresses in a lovely long blue dress, and is usually a very young, very pretty young lady.

On Wednesday, Dec. 21, our disabled children had a visit from Дед Мороз and Снегурочка! We had another fun festival and again, my role, was “mamarazzi”.

I am off to London in a few hours (well the 18-hour train ride comes first) to be with my family for the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays.

I send all of you the very best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

On to 2012!

All to best to everyone!

Caroline

November 2011 Report

2011-12-04T11:24:00.001-08:00

November was QUITE a month. At the beginning of the month, I attended a “what to do after the Peace Corps Conference” that some of the volunteers in my group coordinated.

Photos below show Hailey and Amy, two of the younger PCVs that live near me, enjoying our “upper berth train picnic” .

When we arrived in Kiev, we had an egg McMuffin breakfast outside in –3 c!!! (There was no line at the “outside” window!)

More of my PCV group friends who came to the conference.

Our conference was very very good! The real world of work and home will be upon me soon and I have to start preparing!

Once back in Luhanksk, I was asked to give presentations on Inclusion for the Disabled in our Colleges and Universities. Every time I do research about what we as Americans do for our disabled citizens, I am really amazed at what we do. What is available for students with special needs who attend colleges, universities, any institution, really is amazing. At this conference, a professor translated my presentation into Russian. I read my text in English and some Russian. Most of the audience could understand English and, as the saying goes, pictures are always worth a thousand words. My slides were packed with photos! And of course, Lunch is always a big part of a conference.

Every Friday, I have English lessons for a variety of young disabled adults. It is quite a challenge for me as I have students with Downs Syndrome, Aphasia, Austism, HDAD, etc. All of them are terrific learners. They come to class every Friday and really love to learn! The photos below were taken on the Friday, 25 November when a number of my PC volunteer friends came to Luhansk to celebrate Thanksgiving Saturday and to help me with my students on the Friday. Below, my students are building simple three or four word sentences…. we like pears, we eat carrots, you like bananas, Peter likes carrots.

Below, my wonderful student Katya, took letters and spelled the word watermelon on her own. If you can zoom in on the photo, you will see it.

Her level of English is phenomenal; all she needs is a speech therapist.

The week before our organization’s big talent festival, I coordinated a goodbye party for a wonderful, young PCV, Nazgol Zand Nazgol was a TEFL PCV and a super volunteer who finished her two years of service and is now en route to NYC to continue her studies in Film. We had a great time celebrating Nazgol’s two years here in Luhansk.

Photo 1: Nazgol Photos 2 and 3: Turkey sandwich buffet supper

Photo 1: Luhansk PCVs at the party: Kurt from NY, Kyle from WIS, Rebecca from MASS, Hailey from CA, Cary from IL, Photo 2: Cary and Nazgol

Photo 3: one last vodka shot!

Goodbye Nazgol! See you stateside!

And thank you thank you Nazgol, for passing along my new winter coat, affectionately known as the “wookie”. I am the proud owner this winter of a floor length sheepskin (or some animal skin) coat. This coat is SO heavy I can wear just a turtle neck with jeans and be really really warm. The coat also doubles as a great blanket! When this winter is “history”, I will pass the coat on to another deserving PCV who will then survive winter 2012 in Luhansk.

Thanksgiving week, Our organization sponsored and coordinated the National Talent Festival for the Disabled. Young Disabled contestants came from L’vov (which is a 39 hour train ride— and none of the trains are disabled friendly), Crimea (an 18 hour train ride), Sumy (an 11 hour train ride), and Kiev (an 18 hour train ride). The festival was a three day event: Sunday was the dress rehearsal and welcome dinner party, Monday, November 20, was the official festival, and Tuesday, Nov. 21 was my art activity for all the disabled attendees who needed something to do while waiting to catch trains back to their home cities. Sunday’s welcome dinner was delightful; I had a great time sitting with seven young children, all orphans and all with various disabilities. All of them had the best table manners and LOVED every minute of sitting at the “big people’s table”.

After dinner, we had a DJ and Karaoke and dancing. The group photo is a few of my office colleagues.

Monday, November 21, Official Festival day was great fun and full of unexpected adventures—namely a fire in the stage footlights!

What is also fun… note in the right photo, that the LCD projector is balanced on top of a bucket, a computer bag, and then my wooden kitchen cutting board.

The image on the screen was perfect, once the smoke cleared from the stage!

After the little mishap, on to the Festival and what talent was represented. My photos can only capture some of the wonderful wheelchair dancing, the singing and the dance routines. GREAT fun for everyone.

The opening numbers

The young lad to the right, Maxim, won the Best overall in the competition. He sang a ballad about the war of 1854; he sang flawlessly and without incident.

Some of my “dinner partners” performing.

More of my young dinner partners performing, “Puttin’ on the Ritz”.

Celebration time!

My Tuesday art activity for the children/families was a paint your own Christmas tree ornament or refrigerator magnet. Just like the holiday cookie decorating parties of my youth, decorating ornaments with paint and glitter and “stuff” is great fun for all ages. Christmas trees are everywhere here and are really New Year's Trees so making ornaments for a tree was a big success. I took with me 125 premade forms for Christmas trees, snowmen, gingerbread “people”, stars, and bells. I returned home with 10 blank unpainted forms!

My thanksgiving celebration with my friends began in earnest on Friday, Nov. 25 when we started cooking for 23 volunteers who would show up for a Thanksgiving feast on Saturday. Twelve of us cooked and chopped and prepared on Friday and then had a fun Pre-turkey dinner party. (Photos below… prep team and dinner… Last photo… living proof that cooking is hard work!)

Saturday, we celebrated with a football game and then a truly fantastic Thanksgiving feast complete with two turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, salads, cranberry relishes, mushroom casserole, deviled eggs, lots of beverages, and then three kinds of pie- pumpkin, cherry and apple.

And we did all of thanks to my PC pals in Luhansk – Amy and Wyoming. We each have a kitchen which is about 6 x 9 MAX. Amy and Wyoming transported a cooked turkey, stuffing, salads and other food for Saturday night on Saturday afternoon on the local buses!!! You can imagine the stories that are being told about those Americans who carried a cooked turkey on a bus…. where were they going?????

I am truly thankful for my California kitchen! AND I am really blessed to have so many fun, wonderful friends here in Luhansk with me.

Bring on the next set of Holidays in December!!!

Happy November

2011-11-06T02:39:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I t has taken 17 months, but NOW I understand why my organization emphasizes singing and dancing in so many activites! Since October 14, when I last “blogged”, I have attended FOUR more festivals: Two school festivals celebrating the FALL; The 67th anniversary of Luhansk forces freeing the Liberation of Ukraine from the German and Fascist Invaders; and, the Celebration for Social Workers. Ukrainians celebrate every holiday with a “festival” that includes singing and dancing. Sometimes I feel I am attending “American Idol” in Luhansk, Ukraine!!

“

19 October 2011, Fall Festival for my organization’s young disabled youth- Dancing, Singing, Instrument recitals

20 October 2011 - Fall Festival at the Luhansk Oblast Rehabilitation Therapy Home

for Children with Mental Disabilities

Two young children from the Luhansk Oblast Rehabilitation Therapy Home

having fun at the 20 October Festival

27 October 2011, The 67th Anniversary of the Liberation of Ukraine from the German-Fascist Invaders

27 October 2011 67th Anniversary of the Liberation of Ukraine festival participants

Celebrating the Day of the Social Worker and Photo 2 shows My work colleagues

Back: Natalya, Vladymir, Irina, Caroline

Front: Tatyana (boss) Lena, Marina

Above: Four photos of the celebration at the Symphony Hall

We HAD to have a Halloween party, too. Our Saturday English club, about 40 Ukrainians of all ages, had an “American Style halloween party”—games, dancing, candy, costumes. It was great fun. Our Ukrainian friends LOVED learning how to do the “Michael Jackson Thriller Dance”… I will spare you the video.. And they loved the game, passing the apple from chin to chin. Photos below:

Photo 1: Dr. Andrew and his carving tools Photo 2: the finished product

A few of the costumes

And between festivals, I have been at work. Our group now has temporary office space; our principal office is still being remodeled- outside and inside. We are told by the City (who owns the building) that we will have a disabled accessible office. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

This is the inside of the building where I work.

The hallway with the start of the remodel work in November 2010

(yes one year ago…we moved out in June2011.)

Above: This is the building where I work.

Currently the exterior is being replaced, with insulation being added.

Please note: The gas pipeline – in front of the trees- has NOT been moved!

This is a bathroom sink.

I received a $500 water grant to replace this sink and also to make the bathroom more accessible for the disabled.

I am assured that this will happen; my grant money will be well spent.

Our temporary office space is located in the Rehabilitation Therapy department of the Ukrainian National University in Luhansk, Shevchenko University. Many of our student helpers are studying rehabilitation therapy; one of their classes is a wheelchair dance class.

Above: Wheelchair dance class

My organization coordinated a conference to discuss access to higher education for disabled students. I was asked to give a presentation on what American colleges and universities do for their disabled students. Thanks to many friends at home, I was given LOTS of information on what colleges and universities do or have! It is amazing and gratifying to see what we do for our students. Even with all the budget cuts and the problems that we are having at home, we Americans should be VERY proud of what we do for all our disabled students. Our schools -- elementary through university ARE SO INVITING for students. Photos below will show you WHY we should be proud of what we do at home….and WHY change is needed here!

Photo 1: Stairwell to the second floor—there are NO ramps and No elevators IN ANY OF THE SCHOOLS.

If you are in a wheelchair, you have serious issues getting around!

Photo 2: The step-up- to-hole-in-the-floor toilet.

Able-bodies students have trouble with these facilities. Imagine a student in a wheel chair.

Photo 1: The door to a classroom; again, wheelchair users have problems entering a classroom.

Photo 2: The fire escape from the second floor.

HOWEVER--- There is change coming here in Luhansk; yes, the changes are slow in coming, but there is change. The photos below were taken at the newly remodeled Luhansk Oblast Rehabilitation Therapy Home for Mentally Disabled children. We take bathrooms, physical therapy rooms, and ramp access, such as those below, for granted. Not in Ukraine! These are NEW, this year 2011!

And it would not be a blog from Caroline without a “food report”. The Luhansk Cooking Club had its first anniversary! I am really proud that the Cooking Club has such interest and so many people that want to participate. We had a great dinner, making borscht (red borscht), halupsie (a cabbage, ground pork and rice dish baked in the oven) an American FRESH LETTUCE SALAD (WOW) and pear tarts and champagne for dessert. (See photos below.)

Current weather in Luhansk: It is 18F or -8C which means, black boot season in Ukraine.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holidays.

I am truly thankful for my family and all my friends who are sharing this adventure with me.

On Saturday, Nov. 26, when we have our Thanksgiving dinner at my flat, I will toast all of you, “my absent members, who ever you are and where ever you are”.

I do hope you will feel the hug and thanks that I send to all of you

STAYING BUSY IN OCTOBER!

2011-10-17T12:12:00.001-07:00

I must admit that my life as a Peace Corps volunteer is anything but dull! When you say yes, you never know what will happen.

Tuesday, Oct. 11, my organization took me to a a small school in the town of Kremnna- about 75 KM north east of Luhansk. The school is a boarding school, exclusively for children with disabilities, and the students were competing in a song and dance festival. I was asked to be a judge. Photos below are some of the children singing and dancing.

Photo 1: School sign Photo 2: Students posing for photos Photo 3: Two students dancing

Photo 1: Young lady in Ukrainian dress, sang a very patriot song

Photo 2: Two students performing gymnastics, including the balls

Photo 3: Guitarist who has won many competitions

Photo 1: The pair dancing were very cute; both have walking disabilities

Photo 2: Young student sang a sentimental song

Photo 3:The entire group

When we drove back from the festival, we drove through forest areas just north of Ukraine. These forests are great for mushroom hunting. As my work colleagues LOVE mushrooms, and also enjoy the Ukraine custom of hunting for mushrooms, we stopped along the road so we could mushroom hunt. This was my very first mushroom hunt. Fascinating! I admit that I will probably never be a “pro” at this, but I did manage to find three good mushrooms, in a sea of thousands of “bad” ones.

Photo 1: Mushroom hunting Photo 2: These are BAD MUSHROOMS

Photo 3: THIS is a GOOD mushroom

Photo 1: A lovely “good mushroom Photo 2: Another good mushroom

Photo 3 & 4: Caroline extracting the mushroom

Photo 1: Our small “haul” Photo 2: Wild mushrooms for sale on the road side

After mushroom hunting, I returned home to pick up my suitcase and left for a conference in Limassol, Cyprus. My organization had applied to send someone to the “Forum on the Future of Democracy: the Interdependency of Democracy and Social Cohesion.” Our representative had a change of plans, and so my organization asked me to go instead! LUCKY ME! Travel time to Limassol, Cyprus from Luhansk, Ukraine was almost two days (18 hours on a train to Kiev , 4 hours of transfer time, and then 8 hours of flying Kiev – Prague – Larnaca) BUT the conference and the venue, Cyprus, were definitely worth the trip.

Map of Cyprus from the Old fortress in Limassol

Photo 1: Opening address from the President of the Republic of Cyprus

Photo 3: Opening address from Secretary General of the Council of Europe and

Chair of Norwegian Nobel Prize committee

Opening remarks: Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ukraine

Lenia Samuel, Deputy Director, Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, EU

Andreas Christou, Mayor of Limassol

Closing remarks: Photo 1: Joao Mota Amaral, Portugal, Member of Parliament

Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, MInister of Foreign Affairs, Cyprus

The conference had very important conference speakers and panelists and I did learn a lot and I met many very interesting participants from governments, academia, and NGOs (non-government organizations). To relate how small the world is: the Director General for Social Cohesion, a committee of the Council of Europe, is a Russian and we struck up several fun conversations. First, the Director General wanted to know WHY I was attending the conference, and then WHY was I in Luhansk and then WHAT did I do with my organization! AND then, when he found out I lived in San Diego, he told me his daughter lives there. She and her Ukrainian husband emigrated to San Diego and work in the bio tech field. The Director and his wife have never been to CA and it’s a dream for them. We will stay in touch!

And yes, the conference site was lovely, especially so now that it is cold and grey in Ukraine. It was wonderful to see orange trees, plumeria, bougainvillea, the Mediterranean, eat fresh mussels, drink lovely white and red wines, and be in 78 degree weather.

All six photos are of the conference facilities – Le Meridien at Limassol, Cyprus. No complaints from Caroline!!

The conference organizers provided a nice four hour excursion of the area near Limassol. We had to see something of the island before we all departed for home!

^{Greek ruins… along the main road to and from the conference site}

Beach villas now available to own… on the Mediterranean

Photo 1: the walkway all along the coast. Photo 2 : The walkway passes an archeological dig.

Photo of Orange groves

Four photos above: An archeological dig site- an ancient house with gardens, and mosaics (below) and the view to the sea from the site (on a hill top).

The amphitheater at the site and one of the column capitols being restored

After we visited the archeological site, we visited the remains of an old fortress near the Limassol harbor. Also very interesting.

And for those of you who know my DeSimone pottery collection from Sicily, I found these designs on the old Cypriot pottery fascinating. The designs on my DeSimone plates are very similar!

I hope all of you are well and enjoying life at home.

All the best to everyone!

Caroline

Photos: The two blips are my feet in the Med! The full Moon over the Med in Cyprus.

AND the LOVELY FOOD and WONDERFUL WINES!

A Musical September

2011-09-29T02:44:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Amazing music in Luhansk! Luhansk may not be the prettiest city in Ukraine, and the scenery in the surrounding countryside may not be a dramatic or awesome as Western Ukraine, BUT Luhansk has GREAT music schools and a wonderful orchestra that promotes and highlights Ukrainian musicians! I am so fortunate to be placed in Luhansk as I truly enjoy music and I am getting a wonderful "classical music fix" while working here.

If opera and the classica are "not your thing", you can skip the videos! The first concert of the Symphony season for the Luhansk Oblast Philharmonia was Sept. 14 and the concert was "A night of Italian opera and music". It WAS GREAT! And considering the concert tickets were $5 (40 UAH), that made the night that much more unbelievable.

The video clip below (from my NEW camera) is an aria from La Boheme. The soprano is a knockout... not only in voice!

I HAD to take the next video clip. Having heard "O Sole Mio" sung in Sicily in the 1970s when I lived there, and again in other parts of Italy, and the Three Tenors recordings, I now add "O Sole Mio" sung in Italian by a Ukrainian tenor to my list. The entire audience LOVED it, clapping and humming along!!!

The two minute video clip below of the trumpet soloist is also wonderful. We heard this soloist all last season and he is great. I took this video, too, because I have many nieces and good friends who play the trumpet. This video clip is for them!!

The concert encore (I have not seen one encore take place in the last year of concerts) had the four singers performing, Brindisi from La Traviata. My memory card was full just before the group finished.

The second concert of the season, last night Sept. 28, had a young virtuoso violinist, 13 years young. He performed the Bruch Violin Concerto in G. Phenomenal young artist - incredible poise and very talented.

Every Sunday in the summer here in Luhansk, the Luhansk Municipal Orchestra (not to be confused with the Oblast Philharmonia) plays in the park across the street from my apartment. These concerts are similar to Summer Pops concerts in the states. The most enjoyable part of these concerts is watching the older Ukrainians who come to dance and to enjoy the outdoor entertainment. The video clip below is from last Sunday's (Sept. 25) concert. Note that the tree is where all the ladies hang their purses!!!

I have been working in September, not just listening to music! Every Wednesday, I work with my director's father, who volunteers his time to provide an art activity to a group of mentally disabled young adults (age range 18 to 35). Several of the young adults have had English lessons, so we try to combine a little English language re-learning with our art activities.

After our Wednesday art activity, I meet the young children who are working with a dance therapy teacher. The children are preparing a dance for the National Talent Competition which will be held here in Luhansk in mid-November. The children have a range of different disabilities- some physical, some mental, but ALL have the best time dancing and working together with each other and their instructor.

The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox church, Patriarch Kyril, paid a visit to Luhansk. From what I understand of the Russian Orthodox church and the hierarchy within the church, Patriarch Kyril's visit was equal to having the Pope visit. An outdoor stage was set up- just down the street from my house. Tickets were issued to attend the outdoor service; my organization was lucky to receive tickets, so we all attended. Fortunately for my colleges, there was a very small area for the disabled. It was a fascinating morning and it was interesting to see the pomp and circumstance involved with an orthodox service. The entire service lasted 3+ hours!

It is definitely fall now. The leaves are changing color, the nights are cool and the days are pleasant. It's time to break out the blue jeans and socks. Photos below capture a bit of Luhansk in the fall. Also, there is a protest going on in one of the main parks across from the city administration building. The tents are set up, the protesters have camp kitchens; could be this protest will be around for awhile.

Stay tuned.

One final fun photo:

I live about 15 minutes from the main train station. Last week, while walking to catch the train to Kiev, smack in the middle of the main road stood a bride, a groom, the photographer, the maid of honor and the best man.... for a wedding photo. I had to ask a friend "Why in the middle of the main road to the train station? " The answer: Because there is a good view of the city from that spot!

I LOVE being here!

I miss everyone, but I am learning so much about another part of our world.

Enjoy October.

A big hug to everyone.

Caroline

End of Summer 2011

2011-09-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
Like home, summer is over, school has started and the weather is a bit cooler, especially at night. All the schools start on Sept. 1 (First Bell Day)- elementary, high school and universities— it makes it easy for everyone! The markets have had the school supplies on sale since July – like home.

Street vendors with school supplies

The students were outside cleaning the school yard three days before school started.

Young students, dressed in school uniforms, singing for my organization.
I LOVE the pom-poms in the girls' hair!

We had an activity sesson for these students- a beading day. The children made necklaces, bracelets, rings, ponytail holders, etc. The boys and the girls all had a blast! FEEL FREE TO SEND MORE BEADS from MICHAEL'S arts and craft stores!!

Aliona modeling her new necklace!!

My “English classes” for my disabled students have resumed again. Every Friday I have two, sometimes three groups, of children or young adults who want help with their English. I have such an appreciation for all the work that Fran does for her students now! Preparing my “lesson plans” is particularly tough as I have a cross section of disabilities and mental abilities in each group. But… I am very lucky as one of my young students, Gala, is now a university student and studying to be a translator of English, so Gala helps me with my students! It is a win-win!

Gala, helping with Roman and Nikita

On Sunday, Sept. 4, the Luhansk cooking club had an end-of-summer barbecue in a park at the edge of a small town of Alexandrovsky, a very small suburb of Luhansk. Because it is illegal to barbecue and to drink in city parks and in parks around apartment buildings, if Ukrainians want to have an outdoor barbecue party, they go to outside the city to a river or a lake or the woods. We took a city bus from the center of town and about 30 minutes later arrived at the park.

The small road into the park- just 100 meters from the bus stop.

PCV Cary (green shirt) and Kurt (white shirt) help Vlad light the fire for our shaslhlik!

My Ukrainian friends are very proud of their barbequed meat- similar to our shish-kabobs- but a bit different because for Ukrainians, the ONLY proper meat for barbeque is pork! I have made barbequed chicken for my Ukrainian friends-which they like- but it ISN’T Barbeque – really!!! Therefore, our Ukrainian friends were in charge of the meat, and the rest of us brought the usual picnic food--- potato salad, brownies, raw veggies, sodas, and other beverages.

Dr. Yuriy, one of the shashlik chefs, supervising

Dr. Yuriy and Dr. Andrew showing off the final, ready-to-eat, shashlik

We had a wonderful time and I must admit that the meat, prepared by our friends, was delicious. My friends, all young doctors finishing their residencies here in Luhansk, did a wonderful job. The pork “hunks” were marinated in lemon juice, a bit of vinegar, onions, spices, and KIWIs….. And…no vegetables were allowed on the skewers that had the meat. And the idea of skewering vegetables was a “bit weird” for my friends! The pork was fabulous. I am going to try this when I am home!!!

Some of the group ready to enjoy the picnic

After the picnic, we tossed a football around. We taught Dr. Yuriy and Vlad how to toss the football, too!

PCV Cary (green shirt) showing Dr. Yuriy how to hold the football

PCVs Kurt (white shirt) and Tim (black pants) show Vlad how to throw the football

Dr. Yuriy throwing a football for the first time

While the boys played football, some of the girls walked to the other end of the park, where the old mansion of Alexandrovsky is located. The park where we had our picnic was once the orchard for the mansion. While the mansion is now in a very sad state of disrepair, photographically it is very very cool!

The mansion was built as a country home for a military commander in 1772. Once built, the commander sold the home. The home changed hands many times; the Germans occupied the house in WWI.

After the wars, the home became a hospital for TB patients. In 2006, the hospital was closed and the insides gutted due to TB contamination.

If you have a spare 20 Million Ukrainian Hryvna (pronounced grevna)/$2.8 million US, you can purchase this estate. And then have fun restoring it! But.... please note....

YOU WILL HAVE TO MOVE THE GAS LINE, which sits in the front yard and runs through the entire property........

Above ground gas lines, such as you see above, are everywhere in Ukraine.

The end-of-summer BBQ was great.... not much left over for the poor praying mantis that arrived a bit late to the party.

It is wonderful to start the fall this year and feel so “lost” ; this time last year everything was so new and intimidating. The symphony season starts next week; we start the season with a recital by young singers training for the opera and then a Brahms symphony. The concert is $8 well spent for terrific music!

Work, shopping, symphony, trains, cooking,English lessons, – everything is so familiar now! I have even been stopped on the street and been asked for directions; and I can do it, all in Russian!!! I guess I am “fitting in”.

Enjoy your backyard barbecues at home this fall!!! It is such a treat to watch football (or US Open Tennis), have a beer and grill all in your own back yard!!

All the best to everyone.

Carolione

Summer Part II: Ukraine and Hungary

2011-08-21T00:59:00.000-07:00

Hello family and friends!
I am back from my travel adventures to Crimea and to Budapest. This past adventure has been particularly interesting as I have had the chance to enjoy Ukraine (Kiev and Sevastopol) through the eyes of two visitors/tourists who have never been to Ukraine before- my very best friends: John Theroux and Pat Holmes.

Finding my friends, Pat and John, in Kiev!

For those of you who do not know John and Pat, both are long time friends and the three of us (plus others on different trips) have traveled together during the past 18 years! We have enjoyed many forms of travel, many stories, many cribbage games, and even a few beers together. John and Pat promised me they would come to visit no matter where the Peace Corps sent me - and they did. Ukraine and Hungary are the latest shared travel adventures.

John and Pat in front of the Shevchenko National University in Kiev.
Yes, the building really is that RED.

It was really fun to tour Kiev through the eyes of 1st time visitors. The photos taken in Kiev are from Pat and John and show another interesting side to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.

John in a Mig -20 (?) in the park commemorating the History of the Great Patriot War, 1941-1945.
photo from Pat Holmes

Pat in front of "artillery?" in the park commemorating the History of the Great Patriot War, 1941-1945.
photo from John Theroux

The moon and the statue of the Motherland in Kiev photo from Pat Holmes

After three days in Kiev, we took the overnight train to Sevastopol– the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea—but part of Ukraine— to explore new cities and also swim in the Black Sea.

Sevastopol is a naval port city that is home to the Soviet Fleet. The Russians and Ukrainians have signed an agreement that will keep the Soviet fleet in Sevastopol for quite some time —basically the Soviets need access to the Black Sea and the Borphorus Straits and Ukraine needs natural gas. Sevastopol has a huge natural harbor with many inlets that house shipping facilities, both commercial and military. The main city center is located near the water and has a wonderful promenade all along the harbor that has ferry landings, shops, restaurants, military facilities and places to sit and to swim. The harbor is very clean, so clean that many people swim from the harbor embankments.

Sevastopol Harbor - some of the Soviet Fleet

Sevastopol Harbor- near the City Center

Looking back at the Sevastopol Harbor-the City Center- while on the Ferry

Sevastopol Harbor- crossing the harbor on a ferry

On our first full day, the three of us went to Balaklava, a former secret Soviet submarine based in the suburban coastal town with the same name. The tour of the base is interesting, but by American standards lacking in "hands on" stuff-- like a decommissioned Soviet submarine to crawl over or to climb in and see what "was so secret". We walked through the LONG, ENORMOUS tunnels that secretly housed nine submarines during the cold war era. A very nice 45 minute tour and GREAT practice for my Russian language as the tour was in Russian; some of the photos had English descriptions.

Map of Balaklava Submarine Base and installations

Submarine entrance/exit channel and also start of the tour

Sample Torpedo in one of the underground chambers

Long canals for the submarines to enter the base

After the tour, we hopped on one of the many ferries that take beach goers to the beaches along the Crimean coast outside the Balaklava harbor. While the beach was truly a "pebble beach" (probably rocks is a better word), the Black Sea was inviting and the swimming excellent, even if accompanied by many little jellyfish- all the non-stinging variety. Whew!

View of one of the "secret entrances" to the submarine base as seen from the harbor ferries

The first of our three beaches - Balaklava "Golden Beach" - along the Crimean coast

On our second day, we visited Sevastopol's WONDERFUL 360 degree Panorama museum, a museum with fabulous painted images of the Charge of the Light brigade and the siege of Sevastopol in 1854. My photos do not do justice to the wonderful museum, which is a MUST for every visitor to Sevastopol.

Painted Images and 3-D from the Sevastopol Panorama Museum

After the museum, we followed the flocks of beach going tourists to the ferries that took us to the beaches to the north of the city. These beaches, while a hike to get to, had much smaller, finer pebbles and the surf was better. AND fewer jellyfish!!!

Beach on north shores above Sevastopol harbor

Ukrainian women sunbathe STANDING UP!
This young lady stood and rotated to the sun for 2 and 1/2 hours....

On our third day, we walked the Sevastopol harbor promenade and just "people watched". Then, we took a taxi to Khersones– a suburb of Sevastopol about 25 minutes to the west– known for ruins from the old Greek settlements and, of course, a beach or three! Again, the water was very clean, very clear and very refreshing, but the rocky coast line was challenging! While we missed Yalta (too packed with tourists at this time of year), we thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Sevastopol and our swims in the Black Sea!

Trying the beer in Sevastopol

Our adventure continued as we took another overnight train back to Kiev and then flew to Budapest, Hungary. This was the first visit to Hungary and to Budapest for all of us. YES!!! WE ALL LOVED BUDAPEST.

Budapest - at night
View to Castle Hill

From the moment we landed at the very modern, very nice, very efficient Budapest airport, everything worked. Friendly immigration agents - "Hello, Welcome to Hungary", quick and easy taxi service, and smooth roads. After the bad roads, crooked sidewalks and noisy cars of Ukraine, Budapest is all the more charming and comfortable. Such a welcome change of pace.

We arrived on Saturday afternoon, August 13, and after unpacking , we went for a walk along the Danube. Our hotel, the Budapest Intercontinental (which I HIGHLY recommend) was right in the middle of the city and faced the Danube. We could sit in the sidewalk café and see the river and the Castle Hill district. The city was designed by the same city planner who did Paris! Budapest has interesting architecture, nice streets, inviting restaurants, broad avenues, nice parks, lovely public art and sculptures.

We even tried the Famous thermal baths/spas. Great fun and the water was so clean!

We spent our third day in Budapest taking the "hop on hop off" tours and also walking the Castle Hill area. Sadly my camera died (of all places for my camera to die!!!) The photos of St. Mathias church are courtesy of my pals.

The trip was great– over much too fast! We are all definitely returning to Hungary to continue exploring Budapest and possibly to hike in Hungary.

I am back home in Luhansk and ready to resume work, read about more potential grants and prepare English lessons for the coming year.

My batteries have definitely been recharged for my remaining 10 months of Peace Corps service. This past summer I have seen my family at home in San Diego and in Italy and my best friends here in Ukraine and I have shared my world and my work with everyone!

This week Ukraine will celebrate 20 years of independence on August 24. It will be fun to see the celebrations!

Enjoy the remainder of summer, where ever you are.
Sending lots of love and I hope you are all doing well.

A box of chocolates!!! These are called "Mozartballs"!

Summer 2011- Part I: Italy and Language Camp

2011-08-01T00:39:00.000-07:00

Hello Family and Friends!

I am back from Italy and from Peace Corps Russian Language Camp and now home in Luhansk for two days before I get back on the train to return to Kiev. Believe it or not, I do work and I am not just traveling around! Our organization's office is under remodel and I have been working from home between travels! When I return from my next round of travels- Crimea and Budapest, I return to work in a newly remodeled office!

La nostra terrazza in Rezzonico, Lago Como, Italia

My week in Italy with my daughter, Frances and son-in-law, Josh, was wonderful. Fran and Josh found a very good “rent-an-apartment” service and reserved a lovely 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment in a small town on the north-western side of Lago Como, Ressonico. The kitchen was small but workable, the bedrooms and bathroom were fine, and the terrace with the view of Lake Como DIVINE. I did not realize how much I enjoyed sitting outside on the terrace/patio and having coffee or reading a book. California and/or Hawaiian lifestyle… I will not take it for granted anymore.

I arrived late Saturday 16 July, in time to have the first of MANY delicious Proseccos. Josh is really a wine connoisseur and his choices of wines for the entire week were excellent. Prosecco labels to look for in the US are: Altemasi-Trentodoc-Brut, Gancia-Brut, and Carlo Gancia, Cuvee Platinum-metodo classico. The Altemasi -Brut was our absolute favorite.

Dinner "al fresco""

The castle of Rezzonico

The beach at Rezzonico

We lost our view during a rainstorm!

Every day, we slipped into a very easy routine: exercise in the morning, then have coffee outside on our terrace, and then go out sightseeing, visit a village on the lake and have a pizza or a Panini at the “tavola calda” /small restaurant on the lake. Home around 6p.m. for hors d’oeuvres and more Prosecco on the patio and then we all cooked dinner and dined of course, on the patio.

Fran and Josh - ready for morning exercise

Scenery near our small apartiment

Scenery along the road to the top of the hill

Scenery along the road to the top of the hill- almost to the top

Bellagio, Lago Como, Italia

Wine Tasting in Bellagio

Varenna, Lago Como, Italia

Menaggio, Lago Como, Italia

Salumeria!!!

Had to get my feet wet!

Lunch in Gravedona, Lago Como, Italia

Fran and Josh at lunch in Gravedona, Lago Como, Italia

Lunch

We spent one day driving to St. Moritz, Switzerland, as we realized it wasn’t that far north of us. LOVELY drive, beautiful valley leading into the mountain pass, then a switch back road of about 25 turns and then a high valley, glorious lakes and then, St. Moritz. I did not realize the town was so small, built into the hillside. AND when we were there (July 22) is was 47 degrees! We wanted to have lunch with a view of the lake and we ended up finding a glorious 5-star hotel, the KULM Hotel, and wandered into the lobby. It was warm and the hotel served lunch in the lovely lobby that had a glorious view of the lake. We had a small, delicious, but expensive lunch - the Swiss Franc to the dollar is quite something! It was certainly nice to see how the “other half” lives!

Waterfalls - en route to St. Mortiz, Switzerland

St. Mortiz, Switzerland

It was very hard to leave Italy- the weather, the crisp air, the clean villages, the smooth/good roads….and to leave Fran and Josh. After living in Ukraine for 17 months, it is amazing to see that Italy really works!!! And Italy enjoys having tourists!

The Russian Language Camp was “camp”; I have not been to camp in 40 years. We had many language classes, activities and sports and we are supposed to speak exclusively in Russian. It was very good for me to practice Russian again, especially as I had been having way too much fun speaking Italian. THE MOST EXCITING PART OF CAMP—I have improved my Russian language ability! I have been graded “intermediate HIGH” level and I WON THE PRIZE at the camp for the person who tried the hardest to speak Russian all the time and participate in activities. The Peace Corps Staff were so funny when they gave me the prize… I am the only one they know that speaks Russian with an ITALIAN accent!

Summer 2011: Part II Crimea and Budapest will appear in mid-August. Until then, I hope all of you are well and enjoying the summer.

A big hug to everyone!

Caroline

4th of July celebration

2011-07-05T01:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I hope all of you have had a great 4th of July celebration! I had a wonderful time celebrating the 4th with a Peace Corps volunteer, Neva Keres, in Neva's town of Debaltseva, Ukraine.

Debaltseva is about two hours west (by train) of Lugansk. Deblatseva is a small village – about 48,000 people—and exists because it is/was the town with the “UKRAINE TRAIN ACADEMY (school) —where people can learn to be conductors on the Ukrainian trains—or engineers—or repairman etc. The train station is most impressive and the only highlight of the town.

Debaltseva train station... one half of this side still needs to be repaired

Debaltseva train station

Debaltseva train station- the ceiling inside the central portion of the station

Debaltseva train station... a very famous WWII painting inside the station

Debaltseva train station - inside the station,
looking out to the train platform and the tracks

Debaltseva train station - a large waiting area
on the balcony are cafes and kiosks for food/snacks

Neva had planned a 4^th of July picnic for her organization and for the children in her organization and she asked me to come help, so I did. Neva did all the organizing; all I had to do was “play” with the children and bring a little music. So I did.

Borrowing electricity so we can have 4th of July music for the picnic

PICNIC FOOD-- CHIPS & COKE

PICNIC FOOD-- GRILLED HOT DOGS

PICNIC FOOD-- GRILLED HOT DOGS- READY TO EAT

We played with a version of American football and then played with Frisbees and played Twister.

Football- American style

Playing with a Frisbee

Playing Twister

After about an hour of games, we had hot dogs—American style—mustard, ketchup and dill pickles—coca cola and lots potato chips! We must have had 50 children plus all their parents and grandparents for the American picnic.

PCV Neva (Mrs. Neva to the children) passing the hot dogs

Enjoying USA style hot dogs

It's hard to believe that the summer is 1/2 over!!! Next week I am off to Italy to see my daughter and son-in-law. Then in August, my travel friends John and Pat will come to Ukraine and we will visit Kiev, Crimea and then travel to Budapest.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Caroline

TRAIN TRAVEL

2011-06-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

I begin my second year as a Peace Corps Volunteer here in Lugansk this week! I can tell I have been away home and out of the "flying" travel mode ---- my luggage on my trip home to San Diego had too many large bottles of liquid and my wonderful, little, keychain Swiss Army knife was in the wrong spot. I have totally forgotten how to prepare for FLYING.

From all my past blogs and telling stories while I was at home (end of May, early June), you probably know that it takes me 18 hours by train if I want to visit an interesting city or go to Kiev to get on a plane. Yes, there is an airport in Luhansk, BUT.... there is only one flight "in" a day and only one flight "out " a day... and that flight is $300 round trip to Kiev. The train -- round trip is $40. The train ticket wins.

As I will be doing LOTS more train travel this summer and during my remaining time in Ukraine, I thought I would write a quick blog on traveling by train in Ukraine, so that you can share my experience!

I travel in Coupe (купе) class-- sort of first class. There are four berths/seats (two upper, two lower) per compartment, and the compartments do have a door that closes. There are 36 people / 4 per compartment in Coupe class.The other class is Platzcar (платз кар) Platzcar is a more open seating/sleeping train car. I am learning that in the summer, even the older trains have air conditioning in Coupe class!! The only time I was on Platzcar last summer, there was no air conditioning.
There is a train conductor for every car. The conductor collects the tickets, but also will bring tea and coffee (for a small fee).

THE LOWER BERTH/SEAT IN COUPE CLASS

THE UPPER BERTH IN COUPE CLASS.
BLANKETS, SHEET PACKAGES MATTRESSES VISIBLE.
YOU CAN SEE THE SLIDING DOOR

THE IS THE OPEN PLATZ CAR CLASS-- DAYTIME SEATING.

LOWER BERTH, READY FOR SLEEPING WITH THE MATTRESS, SHEETS, PILLOW AND
BLANKET ISSUED TO EACH PASSENGER IN COUPE OR PLATZ CAR CLASS.
THE LOWER BERTHS USUALLY HAVE CONTROL OF THE SMALL TABLE!

Toilets (туалет) are at each end of the car.

There is a restaurant car on most trains- but I cannot vouch for the food or the beverages as I have learned to bring my own train picnic.

I must admit that I enjoy the train time. I can get up and walk and stretch my legs, I do not have to worry about the 3 oz. packages of liquid, and I can read my Kindle and relax.

Caroline, and PCV friends Neva and Sue reading their Kindles on the 30 hour train ride to L'viv!

The trains are very prompt and keep to the published schedules-- at least for the last 15 months that I have been riding trains. However, the best reason about riding the train is looking out the window and seeing the countryside of Ukraine roll by. Below are lots of photos that I have taken from the train during the past year.

THIS PHOTO, AND THE ONE ABOVE, ARE THE FIRST STOP LEAVING LUHANSK EN ROUTE TO KIEV.
THIS IS A MAJOR FACTORY/STEEL TOWN.

THE FIRST TRAIN STOP FROM HOME/LAST STOP BEFORE HOME - Y
OU CAN SEE IT FROM A DISTANCE!

THE COUNTRYSIDE IN FALL

ARRIVING IN KIEV.
THE VERY TALL STATUE TO THE LEFT OF CENTER IS THE "MOTHERLAND".

FULL MOON LEAVING CRIMEAN PENINSULA EN ROUTE TO LUHANSK
THIS PART OF CRIMEA IS FLAT FLAT FLAT- LIKE NEBRASKA!!!

SOUTH OF KIEV EN ROUTE INTO KIEV. RAIN STORMS AND
THE GRASS IS REALLY REALLY GREEN. MAY 2011 PHOTO

MAY 2011 PHOTO RAINSTORM... UKRAINE IS SO GREEN IN SPRING.

ON GOING ROAD CONSTRUCTION AS WE ARRIVE IN KIEV

CROSSING THE DNIPRO RIVER AS THE TRAIN LEAVES KIEV

FORESTS OUTSIDE OF KIEV

SCENERY FROM THE TRAIN

SCENERY FROM THE TRAIN- AND THE EVER PRESENT OUT HOUSE

FIELDS OF POTATOS AND OTHER VEGETABLES
PRETTY SOON THE PRODUCE WILL BE IN MY MARKETS

HOUSES AND VEGETABLE GARDENS AS THE TRAIN COMES TO LUHANSK.

I will be traveling to Italy soon to see my daughter and son-in-law -- 18 hours by train to Kiev, and 5 hours by plane from Kiev to Milan! I will remember how to pack for the plane== only 3 oz bottles of liquid and no pocket knives.

Friends will be visiting in August and will be experiencing train travel in Ukraine!

I hope that all of you are well and enjoying a wonderful summer!

All the best.

Caroline

Victory Day Celebrations in Luhansk

2011-05-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!
This past weekend has been quite a weekend celebrating the Victory Day,/May 9 holiday. Victory Day is very much like out November 11 Veterans' Day with parades, 10Km runs, concerts, old cars on display, speeches, and fireworks. Victory Day celebrates the end of the "Great Patriotic War". OR WW II as we know it. Enjoy the photos. And if the music video plays, enjoy that too!

Concert on Friday, May 6. Costumes represent the uniforms worn in the Great Patriotic War.

Legends Song and Dance Group celebrating the Victory at the End of the Great Patriotic War

Saturday morning, May 7 - A 10km run- took place in front of may apartment.

10 Km route... looking to my apartment building

Start line - one block from home

Participants

Participants - even the dog had a number!

Looking back up at the route... not too many people entered the race!

Monday, May 9 Victory Day Parade and festivities

Our main street - decorated for Victory Day celebrations

Young militia recruits - waiting for the start

One of the food areas - set up in one of the main town parks

Young students on the parade route -- all holding flowers to give to Veterans as they march by

The start of the parade

First group of Veterans

Veterans receiving flowers. Also the city gave the parade organizers permission
to fly the Red Communist party flag - on this day only.

Color Guard at the Victory Day (WWII) monument

Veteran and his wife- they asked me to take their photo

More Veterans

Another Veteran- statue in the background is the poet, Shevchenko

Students wearing replicas of the 1945 era school uniform and holding lilacs to give to the veterans

Balloons-- Necessary for a parade

AND what's a parade without getting dressed up!

I LOVE THE HAIR SCRUNCHIES THE LITTLE GIRLS WEAR!

AND-- CHECK OUT THE FOOTWEAR FOR A PARADE!

AND HOW ABOUT A "ХОТ ДОГ"- HOT DOG IN RUSSIAN!

Hot dog complete with mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise

And then... Sunday afternoon- on to the "Concours" of Older Cars on the square. Most of the cars are ГАЗ Models from 1949 to 1962.

I LOVE THE VINYL FLOORING IN/ON THIS CAR

CHILDREN CLIMB ON TANKS... EVERYWHERE!

ГАЗ HOOD ORNAMENT

PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP

A FEW OLDER MOTORCYCLES WERE IN THE "CONCOURS"

1949 ИЖ

1945 MOSKVA

I LIKE THE PICNIC IN THE BAG ON THIS MOTORCYCLE

A SCOOTER IS A SCOOTER

While the uniforms and the language are different, honoring our veterans is worldwide and an excellent custom.

Enjoy May!

Cheers,

Caroline

April Adventures

2011-05-02T04:28:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!
Lots of photos to share as the last two weeks of April webusy!

April 15-16, 2011
The Peace Corps Senior group (over 50 crowd) had a meeting in Simferopol on April 15. The "over 50 crowd"meets three times a year and we talk about our successful projects with each other, solve problems, and "meet". We do understand that any meeting longer than 60 minutes is too long- even if it takes an 18 hour train ride to get to the meeting. However, we have our meetings in interesting sites across Ukraine and so the tours and the visits which last at least 8 hours are definitely worth the 18 hour train ride and extremely memorable for two reasons: seeing PC friends and visiting sites in Crimea.

Below are photos of the visit to the Khan's palace in the town of Bakhchisaray (Бахчисарай), best known as the former capital of the Crimean Khanate. The palace is lovely; the gardens are gorgeous, too. I hope to revisit the palace when all the grape arbors and roses are in bloom.

Khan's palace in the town of Bakhchisaray

Behind the town of Bakhchisaray- from the Khan palace wall

Entrance to the Khan's palace in the town of Bakhchisaray

Interior courtyard of the Khan's palace- faces central garden and walkway

Interior courtyard of the Khan's palace- other side facing central garden and walkway

Door on one of buildings facing interior courtyard.

Another door on one of buildings in the Khan's palace

Detail of door in above photo

Detail of area above the door in above photo

One of many interior rooms in the palace

Entrance to the harem "building"

One of the rooms in the harem

Ceiling in the harem

Detail of interior door

Limestone rocks and the park behind the Khan's palace

Limestone rocks and the park in the town, just beyond the Khan's palace

Warning sign in the restaurant

Beginning of a hike in the park
-hiking to the monastery built into the rocks

The monastery built into the rocks

Small Monks "cell" built into the rocks -
if you look closely you can see the electric line on the rock!

Hiking in the park behind the monastery

Our Peace Corps Country Director enjoying the caves in the rocks!

View from the top of f the park

Caves carved in the rocks

Hiking back down- the view back to the top

April Full Moon as seen from the train
crossing from Crimea back to mainland Ukraine

April 23-24
Easter weekend! After returning from Crimea, I began my Easter preparations. Just like home, Easter is a major church/religious holiday. On "Sad Friday", Ukrainians clean their houses from top to bottom and prepare foods for Easter Sunday. On Easter Saturday, Ukrainians are not supposed to work, but pray. Easter Vigil begins Easter Saturday night and ends at 4:30 a.m.. The very religious are in church for the entire vigil. Beginning at 4:30 in the morning, the faithful come to church with their baskets of prepared foods - hard boiled eggs, salt, Easter Bread (Paska), meats, wines, and other foods that will be consumed on Easter Sunday. The orthodox priests bless the foods from 4:30 in the morning until 12 Noon (or so).

I took my little Easter basket of prepared foods- my Easter bread, salt, my decorated eggs, and beverages to be blessed, too! See below.

The weather on Easter weekend was definitely spring! We had 70 degrees and a bit of sun. My PCV friend, Amy Woodstock and I took a two hour walk around Luhansk- and the photos below are from our Easter Sunday walk.

Children in the park behind my building playing/exercising on "jumping shoes?"

An older "electric train" station- remnants of the old Soviet era

The Cowboy Hair Salon and Beauty Parlor

One of Luhank's major orthodox churches

I love the "sunshine" hat.

an older basketball court in an older park...

April 29, 2011
My colleagues at work had arranged for a visit to the Amber Church, a newer orthodox church under construction in a small town, Dmitrovka, just north of Luhansk. The money for the church was donated by a member of the Charitable Cossack Foundation. You can read about the group on this website: http://cossacks-uan.net/en/novosti/ (Yes, this site has an English language option!)

The photos below are from our visit to the church. We had a small blessing ceremony before we entered the building. The Amber Icons are all in the basement of this new church. Interestingly, there is no access for the disabled. BUT my colleagues, two in wheelchairs, all managed to get to the basement to view the icons and the amber altar piece. We were allowed to take photos.

The exterior of the Amber Church in Dmitrovka, just north of Luhansk.
The monastery farm is in the background.

The main entrance to the Amber Church

The convent and monastery across the street from the church.

The icon of patron saint of the church-
the icon is made entirely of Amber - big pieces and crushed pieces

The icon of the Blessed Mother-
the icon is made entirely of Amber - big pieces and crushed pieces

Another Icon - made entirely of Amber - big pieces and crushed pieces

Detail of one of the Amber pieces in the icon in the above photo

The icon of Michael the the Arch Angel-
made entirely of Amber - big pieces and crushed pieces

Detail of the Angel Michael's skirt... all crushed amber

Mother and Child icon

Detail of the crushed amber and the LARGE amber pieces in the Madonna icon

The Amber Altar piece

Detail photos- the LARGE pieces of amber in the Amber Altar piece

Detail photos- the LARGE pieces of amber in the Amber Altar piece

After our visit to the church, we had to stop and have a picnic. We found a spot along the Siversky-Donetsk river. Photos below show the wild apricot trees are now really blooming.

Our picnic site, building the fire to roast "hot dogs"

Roasting hot dogs

Tailgate picnic preparation

Tailgate picnic - Ukrainian style
my work colleagues: Marina, Lena, Alosha, Irina, Natalia, Christina, Irina's daughter and Marina's mother

The local dogs enjoyed our leftovers

We found wild tulips growing in the area so we picked a few.
Photo is Christina, daughter of my colleague Irina.

And then on April 30, all the Peace Corps volunteers in the region gathered in Luhansk to celebrate the Peace Corps 50th Anniversary. The celebration included 16 Peace Corps volunteers, families and children belonging to my organization, my work colleagues, our Luhansk English Club, and other organizations who have Peace Corps volunteers. The celebration was wonderful and everyone had a great time. The first ever Luhansk Easter Egg hunt was a HUGE hit. While no photos exist to prove the Egg hunt was a huge hit, we will have an egg hunt next year and we will take photos!!

The 50th anniversary banner under construction in my living room

The banner artists, Caroline and Amy Woodstock, hard at work.

Caroline and her counterpart, Tatyana Barantsova at the 50th Celebration

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps.
Our friends and colleagues in Luhansk, Ukraine

Today is a holiday - May Day. Yesterday, Sunday May 1 was the first of a two day celebration for May Day, and Sunday started off with an OUTDOOR CONCERT at 7:30 IN THE MORNING in front of my apartment. I wasn't quite expecting May to begin with such a bang! We have had fireworks and more concerts. Today, Monday, May 2 is also a holiday. Next weekend the Ukrainians will celebrate Victory Day, which commemorates the end of the "Great Patriotic War" (WWII to us).

Happy May to everyone! More adventures and more photos, I am sure.

All the best to everyone.

Caroline

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

2011-04-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Happy April and Happy Spring! One year ago, I departed California and embarked on my new adventure. It has been an amazing year! Life is always busy, always fun, always interesting! Thanks to Skype, Facebook, and Gmail, I do not feel that far away from family and friends!

My Friday English classes are fun and entertaining. Thanks to Peace Corps TOEFL (Teachers of English as a Foreign Language) volunteers and my daughter, I have LOTS of materials to help my young students speak "American English"....Last week my students read stories that Frances' class has sent to me. The students read very well; questions centered on "What is a rollercoaster" and "What is HomeTown Buffet"!

In the photo below, we are playing a game, "Pronounce the English letters then say words that begin with the letter.".

Below, we are matching words and pictures.

My cooking club is cooking up a storm. The Ukrainian cooks showed us how to make пироги-- pierogis or little pies. We had LOTS of fun and as usual, I learn something new at each cooking session. This session I learned that Ukrainians can chop, grate and shred a lot faster than any Cuisinart. If there was a race, I am fairly certain the Ukrainians would come in first!

Making sure the liquid (Kefir and sour cream together) is warm but not too hot - then mix with flour, salt,
egg white beaten frothy, then beaten yolk!

Slicing the dough, making pockets and putting stuffing in the pockets.

Slowly frying the pierogis.

Mixing all the salad ingredients by hand. James Beard would be so proud - use your hands!!!

Finished products - delicious.

I have had fun learning a new make-you-own-movie-from-your-videos program. Some of you that have Facebook have probably seen Caroline's "Home Movies". Movies seem a good way to also capture the face of the area and the country where I am now living. I cannot seem to upload them to the blog, so I will attach the videos separately with the email to all.
I guess I still have a lot to learn about technology!

While I will never receive any movie director awards, I was awarded a small grant, $500, to help fix the sinks and bathrooms in my organization's office. YES!! The information for the grant can be found at: http://appropriateprojects.com/node/603. If anyone would like to donate to the water project, there is a "donate" now button at the bottom of the project page. I am always thankful for all the help and back pats you send to me.

The leaky, drippy faucet - one of several -- I hope to fix!

April will be very busy! Friday, April 8, I take a 15 hour train to Nikolaev. I will be attending a training session for CAMP MASCOT counselors. I am a counselor for this summer camp, which is an English Immersion/ Art Camp for teenagers. We will be staying the Petro Mohyla Black Sea State University - Ukraine for the training as well as for the summer camp. After Nikolaev, I will go to Crimea and stay with friends and together, we will visit several different organizations for orphans and for the disabled. On Friday, April 14, I will go to Simferopol for a Friday meeting and for Saturday and Sunday touring in Bakhchisaray and possibly Yalta.

Very briefly--- Bakhchisaray (Бахчисарай), about 20 miles (33 km) southwest of Simferopol is a region with a long and diverse history. The area has been home to Khazars (possibly), Crimean Karaim, Crimean Tatars and Russians. The name, Bakhchisaray, is derived from a Persian phrase meaning "garden palace". The area outside the city offers some spectacular hiking. You can find lots more information about Bakhchisaray on the internet or at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakhchisaray

On April 30, the Peace Corps volunteers in my region will be hosting a project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. We will be having a festival with wheelchair dancing, singing, and art projects for children from all the different schools and projects where we (Peace Corps volunteers) work. You will hear about this in my next blog.

Thanks so much for all the comments and all the kind emails. I enjoy what I am doing!

Until the next blog, have a wonderful Easter.

Caroline

St. Valentines Day, Men's Day, Pancake Day and Women's Day 2011

2011-03-07T23:38:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

February and early March have been busy - FESTIVALS and work!

February 14 was Valentine's Day, and just like home, it's a big day for the card and flower vendors. My young friends gave me very cute, very small Valentine cards, not unlike the cards I received back in 4th and 5th grade!! It was a great fun day. Photos from my organization's St. Valentine's Day festival are below.

TANGO DANCERS
BOTH YOUNG LADIES ARE DEAF- AND FABULOUS DANCERS!

СИНТ ВАЛЕНТИН
МОЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦА

February 23 was Men's Day. While it was not a national holiday, Ukrainians celebrate Men's Day with cards, flowers, and great food. Our organization had a wonderful festival, celebrating the young disabled men. Photos below show the games, songs and dances celebrating "Men's Day."

CELEBRATING MEN'S DAY

A WHEELCHAIR DANCE PERFORMANCE
CELEBRATING MEN'S DAY

SASHA ENJOYING MEN'S DAY
SURROUNDED BY MY STUDENT TRANSLATORS

Pancake Week began on Monday, February 27 and lasted the entire week, ending on Sunday, March 6. блины (bliny - Ukrainian or Russian for pancakes) are sold and eaten almost daily during the week-- bliny with meat, bliny with cottage cheese, bliny with jam, or just plain bliny.... one week dedicated to eating pancakes. I enjoyed all the блины I ate and of course, enjoyed the festival that accompanied our organization's блины party for our youth.

HAVE A блины !

M-M-M БЛИНЫ

Today, as I write is "INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY" -- YES!!! AND THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT HOLIDAY, THAT WE HAVE TWO DAYS OF VACATION. Almost all business offices are closed today and tomorrow!. Everyone is out buying presents - flowers, cards, and chocolate -- for their favorite women! I have decided that I will begin a one woman campaign to celebrate this holiday in the United States!

While all the festivals have been great fun, I have been working. I have been writing grant applications for funding for various projects and training seminars that my organization would like to host. In addition, I have started tutoring English for many of my young disabled students. We meet at the local children's library, which is one of the few buildings that is accessible (at least the first floor) for my disabled students. This will be quite a challenge as many of the children are challenged in different areas and their English is also at different levels. My daughter, Frances, is a 2nd grade teacher and has been really helpful in ideas on how to approach this task! I will gladly accept suggestions from everyone as I proceed with this work project.

Pictured on either side is даижа (Daisha), a delightful 15 year old, who loves to sing, and she would love to sing a song in English by the time we finish our lessons.

What makes the English tutoring extremely tough, is the textbooks my students use come from the U. K. and are dated 1990 or earlier.

No "blog report" would be complete without an update on my weather! While the East Coast and the Midwest in the US definitely have had more snow, Ukraine has had record low temperatures since January 2011. The thermometer has stayed in the MINUS category - mostly MINUS 5 to MINUS 13 -- since January. Pictured at left is an example of the sidewalks (aka my "luge" runs) that I take to work every day.

The festival that celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring, celebrated last week, came just a wee bit early. A "бабушка" creature- old winter- is burned in effigy in the hopes that spring will come soon.

I was truly hoping for a spring thaw as on Sunday, the therometer said 35F or +3 C. But then, because I put my snowboard pants away for the winter, we had 3 inches of snow. The photo below is the view from my window, this morning, Monday, March 7.

One comforting thought... fur coats are now reduced 50 to 70%! I know... what would I do with a fur coat in Hawaii!

Happy Women's Day to all my wonderful women friends!

Happy Mardi Gras to all.

And ... The Peace Corps is 50 years old this month!
Thank you all for the opportunity.

Caroline

KIEV

2011-02-04T01:43:00.000-08:00

Panorama of Kiev Pechersk Lavra overlooking the Dnieper River
UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine
The word pechera means cave.
The word lavra is used to describe high-ranking monasteries
for male monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

February 2011

Hello Everyone,

I thought it might be fun to post my pictures of Kiev: hopefully, these photos will convince some of you to come visit. I have been to Kiev seven times since my arrival and, because the Peace Corps Ukraine headquarters are in Kiev, I will be in Kiev many more times while I am here.

I am attaching a link to an article from the Kiev Post, an English Language paper that PC volunteers receive.
The January 28 Issue has an interesting article about Kiev- "What We Love and Don't Love about Kiev". It's a good read with fun comments about "cheap bread, cheap vodka" and the allure of "Slavic women"!

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/city/detail/95794/

KIEV/КИЕВ Photos

Pechersk Lavra
Numerous Architectural Sites

Dormition Cathedral (below) destroyed in World War II,

and fully reconstructed in recent years.

Dormition Cathedral- back

Dormition Cathedral - front

Great Lavra Belltower

The Great Lavra Belltower is a notable feature of the Kiev skyline

and among the main attractions of the Lavra.

It was the tallest free-standing belltower at the time of its construction in 1731-1745, and was designed by the architect Johann Gottfried Schädel. Its total height is 96.5 meters.

Church of the Saviour at Berestove.

Church of the Saviour at Berestove seen with its 19th-century steepled belfry.

Strong stone fortification walls- looking to the statue of the Motherland.

More churches in the Kiev Lavra complex.

Within the Lavra is a wonderful collection of Ukrainian decorated Easter eggs...

Walking from the Lavra, the next big park has the enormous statue to the Motherland, an eternal flame, and other war monuments.

On a hillside farther of this park is the Botanical Gardens park. In the spring (usually May) the lilacs are in bloom and Ukrainians from all over the country come to see the lilacs. These photos are from May 2010. My Peace Corps friends Vicki (left)and Cheryl (right), and Sveta (center), Vicki's host mother during our training stay, are in the photos.

Red Horse Chestnut trees, the official tree of Kiev, were also in bloom in May. Absolutely magnificent.

The center of Kiev is also fun to walk around and visit churches, more parks, and the puppet theater. The Puppet Theater is spectacular and, maybe, I will have a chance to see a performance in the puppet theater.

St. Andrews Church left and right

St. Michael's Church Above and below

The photos below are the Kiev Puppet Theater!

Ukraine's version of Peter Pan- but he slays a dragon

Gepetto

Pinocchio's girl fiend and her dog

Pinocchio

Thumbelina

Come visit!

Peace Corps Friends!

The necessary food groups for language refresher classes!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY - LOVE TO ALL, CAROLINE

Recycled styrofoam containers-
Now Valentine Candy dishes

Счастливого Рождества и Нового Года

2011-01-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

7 January 2011
Hello Everyone!

Ukraine follows the orthodox religious calendar so today is Christmas Day. Lucky me as I have had two Christmases this season- December 25 in London and now today, January 7 in Luhansk.

To celebrate, I was asked to come to the local Swim and Diving Club Christmas celebration this morning. One of my Peace Corps pals here in Luhansk has started an English Club with the young diving team and so the diving team members asked us to join in the holiday celebration. I hope you enjoy the photos below- This was a very fun morning, the synchronized swimming was interesting, the divers were great, and the "relay races" for entertainment were hilarious.

Here is Grandfather Frost (дедушка мороз) and his grand daughter (the blue coat). Grandfather Frost goes everywhere with his granddaughter. The pair welcomed all the families and friends to the festivities.
The Municipal Swimming pool- to the right- was decorated for the holidays. The tree was decorated with garlands and hanging from the ceiling!

The Synchronized Swimming team began the festivities.

I loved the Spider"girl" suits. And just like home, there were lots of young cheerleaders "cheering" on the participants and the spectators.

The Diving team performed several fun "numbers". Grandfather Frost's elves did acrobatics on the platform diving boards.

And then the synchronized divers performed from the lower "springboards" and also from the three high platforms.

Then, the the diving team positioned themselves around the deep end of the pool and across the diving platforms and dressed as Pirates and Captain Hook, and did a synchronized "dive in" or "A walk the plank" to the "Chicken Dance". For those of you who do not know the Chicken Dance, it is a group dance- with silly antics and then Dosey-Doing ala Square Dancing. It was good fun to watch the children diving in "rhythm"!

And the grand finale had swimmers with candles and then fireworks!

Below are a few of the young divers!

And it would not be a party without a Champagne Toast!

Other items of GREAT INTEREST......
Q1. Mom-- do you really braid your hair now?????
A2. Yes-- I can braid my hair now - I have to in order to keep it in place.

Q2. Is it really cold over here?
A2. Yes, it's cold NOW - -10 Celsius (14 Farenheit). I now sleep with my window closed. And the last time I wore this many clothes, I was skiing in Utah.

Q3. Is there lots of snow in Luhansk?
A3. No, we do not have lots of snow in Luhansk. I think my family in Boston and in New York have more snow that I do. BUT as I type it is snowing.

Q4. Is it hard to walk around in winter?
A4. YES. We had rain last week, and sleet-- about +1 C (33 F) and then at night the rain turned to ice. I have a new dance I will patent when I come home.. "The Ice Shuffle". Thanks goodness I have Yak Trax (studded chains -- Like snow tires for shoes) and my walking stick. See photo of the sidewalks in front of my flat.

Q5. When do I return to work- considering I have been celebrating the Holidays since Dec. 23 when I left for London?
A5. I will be back at work on Monday, Jan. 10.

On the note of work, my organization wrote an article about having a Peace Corps Volunteer and what it means for them. I am attaching the link so that you can read it.
http://www.ami-cxid.org.ua/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=285
I am very flattered and very honored.

We have lots of work to do together for 2011. If you read the article from my organization's web page, you will see why English and especially, business and communication English are requested everywhere in Ukraine. Students must take two foreign languages in school; most choose German and English. Classes are not taught by "native speakers" whih explains why so many "TOEFL" - Teachers of English as a Foreign Language" are here in Ukraine.

I start English classes with my organization on Monday, Jan. 10 when I return to work!

All the best to everyone. I hope that 2011 is a wonderful year for all of us.

Come visit.

Caroline

Santa is Alive and Well in Ukraine

2010-12-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

20 December 2010

Happily Santa Claus and his elves are alive and well in Ukraine. As you can see from the above photo, Santa's elves are enjoying a brief visit in my "Christmas" garden and admiring my Ukrainian ornaments.

The Christmas tree photo was taken at a local hotel where I attended a conference two weeks ago ( 5 Dec to 10 Dec).

Just like home, the supermarkets, home supply centers and local bazaars have holiday merchandise for sale. Even in Ukraine, I can hear Johnny Mathis and Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire and Bill Haley and the Comets with Jingle Bell Rock.. in English no less!

I took the photos of the Christmas crafts (above) at the Luhansk District Education Office. All the local elementary students submitted crafts for display in the District Office. Almost all the projects use "recycled stuff" for materials.

I am now "9"!

December has been a very busy month - starting with my birthday celebration- and in keeping with Ukrainian tradition, I had a dinner party for 15. We toasted in Ukrainian tradition and I toasted the "absent members" as my family tradition. I need to market the fireworks birthday candles in the USA. These candles are spectacular!!

In addition to many parties, I have actually worked quite a lot this December. I met with many of the local regional educational and rehabilitation services and the superintendent of the Luhansk school district. The reason: my organization has been advocating for inclusion of disabled children in the local schools.

(Please note: the embarrassing clothespin-

which keeps the charging unit charging the computer---

will be a thing of the past when Santa brings my new laptop to London!)

My role during the last week of meetings has been to show Ukrainian teachers and district administrators what has happened in American schools as a result of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA)--- inclusion in classrooms, the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and transition services for the disabled to independent living, employment, and community participation.

The television program moderator asked me 1) if American school age children were afraid of the disabled children in the classroom (NO) and 2) if there actually are disabled children in the classroom (YES).

I continue to do research for my presentations and it is amazing what I am learning about our educational system- even with all our budget cuts. The fact that our classrooms are open and include children with special needs is fascinating to my Ukrainian counterparts. Our children in the US are very lucky when you compare our educational system to the educational system here.

Caroline showing off her
18-year old holiday Christmas lights necklace!

Several of my Peace Corps friends and I were asked to come to a University English Class and talk briefly about our American holiday traditions. The students LOVEd my "December christmas lights necklaces" and my "December holiday socks." I am very glad I packed a few fun holiday items from home to share. Even my Santa hat is a big hit!

My cooking club had an American-style cookie exchange to start the holiday season here. The idea was a big hit - there were about 20 us, and 20 varieties of cookies. And of course a Ukrainian toast or two!

Samples of the cookies from the Cookie Exchange.
WE WILL BE HAVING THIS AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
GREAT FUN!

I have learned that Ukrainians love to toast at family gatherings and special occasions: The first toast is to family; the second toast is to health and the third toast is to love!

And to add my family's traditional toast:

To all the absent members-

to Family and to Friends -

where ever you are who cannot be with me this Christmas -

May all of you enjoy your Christmas

and New Year's Holidays with your families and your friends.

I hope to see many of you in 2011!

Lots of love to everyone.

Caroline

More Interesting Facts

2010-11-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

Luhansk City Hall at night

10 November 2010

Hello Everyone!

It is nice to know that some things do not change no matter where you live around the world. Your washing machine or dryer will always eat something: a sock, a wash cloth, underwear. No matter where I have lived- Italy, Singapore, USA, Belgium and Ukraine - I can vouch for the truth of this! Just today doing my laundry, I am missing one black sock. I KNOW it was there at the start of the washing cycle.

More interesting facts:

1. Ukrainians are like Hawaiians. You must remove your shoes before you come in the house. I feel at home.

2. A good plumber really adds to one's quality of life. Considering I have flooded my downstairs neighbor's apartment TWICE, the pipes and "Rube Goldberg" construction in my remodeled flat leave a lot to be desired. And of course, the international incident I created by flooding my downstairs neighbor's flat not once, but TWICE did not really help the "get to know your neighbors" policy. On the bright side, I did learn every Russian swear word that is not part of my Russian studies handbook.

3. A good butcher is also essential for life in Ukraine. There are LOTS of supermarkets, but as I have learned the quality control on meat products is not quite up to the USDA. Thanks to my Ukrainian cooking club friends, I have found great butchers. Each one has a specialty-- Pork, Beef, Veal, Lamb, Poultry. I can even find a whole turkey for Thanksgiving. LUCKY ME.

4. Children on a school field trip are the same no matter where in the world. I ran into a class going to local history museum today and the entire class had more fun climbing all over the canon rather than standing in line to go inside!

Museum Field trip - The canon is cool!

The class checked out the canon!

5. Cars decorated for weddings are also universal- Stretch limos to hot-rods with flames!

6. There is always an abundance of "not-quite English" sayings on shirts, trousers or posters!

"Babiy Boom" Poster

Sort of "Smile- Got Milk?

7. You never know what hides behind a tree until all the leaves fall off! I have walked by this park every day since July and I had NO CLUE the plane was hiding behind the trees! I am sure my aviator pals can tell me the make and model of the plane.

Interesting playground structure!!!

The entire plane, propellers and all, was hidden behind the trees!!!

8. Artisans are everywhere. The cat in the tree is made entirely of PLASTIC FORKS!

9. There is always a silly statue somewhere that reminds me of my friends.

10. The Thanksgiving holiday approaches. Thanksgiving is not a holiday here, but 14 of my Peace Corps buddies will be here in Luhansk for the weekend and we will have our feast on Saturday, Nov. 27. Almost everything we need is available here in Luhansk to have the traditional feast!

Chocolate - a requirement- is definitely available!

I will be thinking of everyone on Thursday, Nov. 25 as I am so thankful to my family and my friends. So many have sent me letters, emails, photos, surprise boxes, and talked with me via Skype.

Thank you all.

Caroline

The Blog Author

October Update

2010-10-29T01:02:00.000-07:00

Luhansk's Central Park
Fall is here

Neighborhood Church

Fall colors on driveway in
front of my apartement

Hello Everyone,

Life has been busy over here.
Where did October go!

Art Workshop
National Talent Contest for the Disabled
Cooking Club Meeting #2
Fun at Work

Since pictures speak at least 1000 words,

I will just populate this update with photos

and captions for the photos.

Enjoy!

*************************************************************

October 16-17-18, 2010

Workshop Weekend for

Finals in the Ukrainian National Talent Competition for the Disabled
*************************************************************

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Confidence Building and Choreography Session

Workshop Leader: Vitaly Bolodimirovich - Dramatic Arts Teacher

Vitaly working with a performer

Vitaly Bolodimirovich - dramatic arts teacher

who works with disabled, leading a workshop and

choreography session

Vitaly working with dancers in a
confidence building session

Vitaly working with the wheelchair dancers

************************************************************************

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Art Activity Workshop - We Understand Each Other

Workshop Leaders: Peace Corps Volunteers

Wyoming McKenzie, Hailey Spencer, Nazgol Zand and Caroline

(Photos of workshop from Wyoming)

Making Name Tags-- getting acquainted

Wyoming and her activity pals
I love Wyoming's green dots on her cheeks

Nazgol and a fingerpaint specialis

Caroline and friends

Hailey, Caroline and Sveta
Sveta is a wonderful singer1

Having fun!

Peace Corps Regional Manager
(for our group) joined in the fun

Post Workshop Fun!
************************************************************************

Monday, October 18, 2010

Ukrainian National Talent Finals Competition for the Disabled

Ukrainian National Theater, Luhansk

Students from Cultural and Drama Institute
Opening the Talent Competition

All competitors on stage
Grouped by Regions/Oblasts

Sergei, 18 yr.-old from Luhansk
Opened the Competition
Wonderful voice!

Children from the Luhansk Orphanage
All three groups on the stage

Children from the Luhansk Orphanage

Ella and her mom, Roxanne
I spent a week with both of them at conference for the disabled.
Ella and her mom LOVE to sing and both sing very well!

A wonderful "sister act" -
also both had fun at the art workshop!

My finger painting specialist
Also a promising singer!

More of my art workshop participants dancing and having fun!

Another finger painting specialist and
also a very good singer!
Former Miss World-Ukraine competitor in background.

Mother and daughter singing together.
The song: Mama!

Marla - a budding author
She read one of her own poems.

Wheelchair dancer.
Amazing.

Another Wheelchair Dancer.

Sveta, 29-yr. old, singer
Exceptional voice.

Another group dancing and having fun!

Tatyana, my organization's director.
Receiving flowers and a standing ovation for all her work for the Festival.
Amazing young woman.

**********************************************************************************

2nd Meeting of the Cooking Club

Sunday, 24 October 2010

Preparing Beer the "Mexican Way"
Salt, Limes (YES LIMES) and Ukrainian micro brew!

The Table- ready for all the food groups:
Meat, liquid protein, carbohydrates, and sugars!

Artiom, the official Cooking Group Photographer
Sergey, the official "Beer Meister"

Preparing fried apples to go with the sausage

Taya, Caroline, Wyoming and Alexie
Enjoying the results of the cooking adventure

Roman, Tanya, Sergey, Taya
Eugene, Kate, Olya
Enjoying the results of the cooking adventure

Plum Kuchen

Homemade Pork Sausage
Fried Apples
Mashed Potatoes

Cooking Club results!

**********************************************************************************

Celebration Lunch

Work Colleague was just married

Monday, 25 October 2010

Celebration Lunch

My work colleagues
(l to r:) Dim-Social worker; Tatyana,-Director, Alexie- lawyer and Tatyana's husband,
Marian- office assistant, Lena- new bride and office assistant,
Irina - Office manager, Sasha- IT expert, Natalya - Press secretary
Loshya-driver, Galena - accountant

A toast to the new bride!

Enjoying life in Ukraine!

Happy Halloween to everyone!