I feel so loved and wanted. My host family was so excited to see me. They waited patiently for dinner while I washed up from the trip. They provided me all kinds of Ukrainian foods. (What a spread!!) Katooshka (potatoes) with some dill sprinkled over them, served with sour cream. They also had made fish cakes, and pancakes (with onion, cabbage, egg, flour). They had a home made fruit compote with apricot (abricohss), gooseberry, and cherry juice. They also have a homemade wine that was fantastic. They also had green and black olives. Also served was cut and peeled tomatoes and cucumbers. Dessert was grapes and apricots. I wasn't expecting so much of their food to come from their own garden, almost the whole lot was out of their garden, or caught in the wild. Very little was store-bought.
Alina speaks quite a bit of English, as does Karina, though neither is fluent. They are very patient with my lack of fluency in Ukrainian. I was warned by Kim to expect to be confused by people using Russian and/or Ukrainian words and that I not know the difference.
We had a lot of fun looking at family pictures and pictures of Alex and Alina's co-workers and graduation photos.
Alex is the fire director (second in command) here in Chyhyryn. Alina works as a secretary and received her degree in History. Karina enjoys singing and dancing (what 8 year old girl doesn't?) and is very excited that I'm here. Their home is beautiful, which they also built themselves (I saw pictures!). I saw a picture of their old home that they tore down so they could build the new one in it's place.
The trip from the airport was fascinating. In so many ways, Ukraine is like the US. Of course the signs are different.. The roads have many "yama" or potholes. We had to stop along the way use the restroom at a supermarket. One of the toilets wouldn't flush, the sink did not work, and there was no toilet paper. Fortunately, we had come prepared for such an eventuality.
There are many things that I had been told to expect. The bad toilets, the incredible food, the bumpy roads, and the awesome fields of sunflowers. I wasn't quite expecting the incredible level of hospitality I've received. I was told to expect that, too, but I am still blown away.
I realized something on the trip to Chyhyryn from the airport. I was relaxed. Wow.