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
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