My first nights in Zgurivka
Trip Start
Sep 30, 2005
1
3
29
Trip End
Dec 22, 2007
Well guys, I don't have much time to write unfortunately. I'm still getting the whole communications thing figured out. Eventually I should be getting a cell phone, but right now I can't even figure out how to get the regular phone to work. At least I've got this one computer with the internet! Takes forever though. I've been extremely lucky in my placement for training. My family lives in a soviet era apartment building in the small village of Zgurivka, in the Kyiv region. They speak Ukrainian and they have running water (warm even, sometimes), fairly reliable electricity so far, and a western style toilet (yay!). My 'mom' is only 33, but she honestly seems much older. I have two brothers, who are 9 and 14. I go to langugage class for 6 hours a day in the apartment of my Language and Cross-cultural Facilitator, who is a Ukrainian woman that is employed by the Peace Corps to teach us the language and show us the ropes. But I am ALWAYS learning here. I go to bed every night at 10pm completely exhausted. There is one place that people go to hang out here, and it's called "Telepuzi", which is the Ukrainian for Teletubbies. I kid you not-- the cool hangout has teletubbies painted on it. Go figure. I've only been here for 3 nights, but I've learned so much already. I have become a sponge. When I get this whole communications thing figured out better, I'll start writing to you personally and posting pictures. That's all I have time for now. I'll keep you updated when I can!
Comments
yay you're there
it sounds like such an adventure. have you hung out at the telletubbies place yet?
i can't wait to hear about ukrainian and all the cool languagey stuff!
egad
Hi friend. Good to hear you made it. What's it look like? smell like? feel like?
Yay! Teletubbies. I heart the purple one.
much CALIFORNIA love
ALicia aka CIA
Love from MOM
Wow, sounds like you hit the jackpot in family hood. A young Mom & 2 Bros, what about a Dad? Water, electricity, & a potty, your livin the good life! Send photos ASAP! Too bad we got rid of your talkin Po. He really wanted to go to Ukraine, and would of fit right in. I tried to send you an e-mail at yahoo, and it was undeliverable, I checked and everything looked good, so don't be surprised if we all have to resort to snail mail. Do you have an address yet? Love & kisses, Miss you, Mom