Three weeks and counting...
Trip Start
Mar 02, 2003
1
7
41
Trip End
Jul 04, 2005
Fastiv,
Ukraine
Monday, May 5, 2003
Peace Corps informed us that Ukraine, and other East European and Central Asian countries have higher than average ET rates (early termination). The reason behind this is that although the physical stress is not that of living in a hut in Africa, the pyschological stress is exponentially greater. Ukraine is not a third world country, we have running water (sometimes) and electricity, and accesibility of doctors and medical care, however, Ukrainian mentality, and I think most E
Beer Factory
. Europeans and Central Asians that were once part of the USSR, have a different outlook on life. Sure we have a lot of luxuries, but it's tough... and I have to envy the trainees that don't understand what locals are saying to them, because a lot of the time it just ain't that nice. Today I had lunch at a restaurant here in Fastiv, after finishing my meal we each paid separately... it was not until this point that the waitress informed us that she had absolutely no change and expected us to accomodate her. She demanded that since we didn't have correct change that each of us had to pay the 1 to 2 hrivnas over the actual price of our meal. What!??? It got worked out, and no blood was shed, but this is not an isolated incident. It happens every day. Whether it's the babysia in the market elbowing you in the gut, or the waitress trying to scam you out of a few kopecks, this country isn't welcoming or nice to eachother, and that goes without saying about Americans.Just last week my host mom starting telling me what exactly she thought of us Americans. The conversation started with her telling me that I, as an American, can learn a lot from her, a Ukrainian. However, she could NEVER learn anything from me as an American. Let's just say the conversation quickly turned into a debate/argument that neither one of us could win. I did learn however that i don't know how to cook, clean, iron, or bathe correctly
Me and Dave
. As far as I'm concerned bathing once a week or two is not hygienic, and as far as I can tell our kitchen is far from clean. Eh, to each his own... and my host mom most definitely marches to beat of her own personal drummer.One great thing I can say about my host mom is that last week I had the greatest meal that I have yet had in Fastiv. We made shashlik... not only was it not fried, but made over an open fire, but my shishkabob was made from the leanest, tastiest beef tenderloin I think I've ever had... and honestly, I don't even dig on the beef that much (especially with mad cow lurking around every corner.) She marinated it in pomegranete juice and then told me that only men could make a fire. Really, here, I live in 1950... all that's missing is my apron.
I don't want you all to think that Ukraine is a terrible place. It isn't, it just needs an injection of... well, I don't know, something. I think Peace Corps can do a lot of good here, and that's exactly what I intend on doing. Myself and two other trainees out of our lot of 80 wrote a speech last week to say at the swearing-in ceremony in a few weeks, when I get an electronic copy of it I'll post it for you all to read. It tells a lot about the kind of people are here with me and what we want and intend to do for this country and its people.
By the way, it's really beautiful here right now, all the apple and cherry trees are in bloom, and I've never seen so many chestnut trees anywhere. Now I'm just waiting for the lilacs.
