Life in the Host Family
Trip Start
Mar 02, 2003
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4
41
Trip End
Jul 04, 2005
Fastiv,
Ukraine
Monday, March 24, 2003
This week I'll be starting my training internship here in Fastiv. During the three months of Peace Corps training we're all obliged to take part in an internship at our respective host family sites. I'll be working at a park here in Fastiv. They have a tiny ecology center there for children to take part in after-school activities. I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing there yet, but most likely it'll involve teaching them how to find some extra grant money, as their entire budget for the year is a total $500. They need new cages for their petting zoo, and some serious clean up. Ukrainians don't really believe in trash cans, as far as I can tell the world is their trash can. It's really sad to see such a cute town be uglified by tons of trash all over the ground.
Here's another cultural observation that I know I will not get used to in the next two years - stray dogs.
A snowy day in Fastiv
Spaying and Neutering does not exist here, nor does a Humane Society. There is an incredible overpopulation of dogs. On my daily walks I must pass 50 dogs. All shapes and sizes, Cocker Spaniels, German Sherperds, Mutts, and even a St. Bernard. They are all hungry, thin, and sick. Not to mention people here mistreat them. I cant tell you how many times I've seen dogs kicked, hit, or being stoned here. I've actually started crying because of the dogs a couple of times. It's really horrible. If I had money and a tub, I would feed and bathe them all.A few other interesting things:
Yesterday we went (the 8 volunteers in Fastiv) to a cultural show here in town. We were told that it is unique, and that most cities this size do not put on shows such as this one. It was free, and basically a 2 and 1/2 hour talent show of the people in Fastiv. There was singing and dancing, both contemporary and folk, it was great. One of the main actts, this band, was boozin and smoking like chimneys, then they got on stage and blew everyone away... it was great.
Speaking of boozin' - last night I went over to Ludmila Mikolaevna's house because her daughter came home from a trip to Poland and so they had a party. David, another volunteer lives there, so it was cool because I could speak a little English... anyway, one of the Ukrainian traditions that's pretty difficult to escape from is toasting (specifially with vodka) I usually toast with beer, that way I can at least take part... last night we drank "samohonka" - moonshine. It was a kind of light brown color and smelled like molasses, but going down burned like nothing i've ever drank before. most people here brew their own special samohonkas... i'm sure i'll have the opportunity to try others, but only in small portions.
Well, now I'm off for another language lesson... at the end of the day I'm exhausted. Learning a new language, shopping in that language, and living with people who do not speak a word of English is very tiring. I go to bed here no later than 10pm, and golly am I tired by then.
