Odessa,
Ukraine
Friday, August 29, 2008
We really slept late again and our intention was to go to the beach, but by the time we all got ready, it was after 1 and we still hadn't eaten. Sure, you think, just stop by your local KFC and pick up a bucket of chicken and be on your merry little way.. au contraire, mon ami. Not in Eastern Europe. Let me describe the dining experience for you. In America, we have this great little system going which is get in and get out, even in nice places, right? In Eastern Europe, if you don't spend at least an hour or more at the eatery, then it is an insult. So you walk in, sit down (no one seats you), wait awhile and then get a menu. After consulting the menu for at least 20 minutes then the server comes to take your order. By the way, no free water, no refills on soda, and the bottles that you pay 6 dollars for are like two gulps. Also, of you eat fast food, then all condiments are extra. What is an American condiment lover to do?? Anyway, back to the resturant. We finally get our food after they go and kill it and then the part that REALLY irks me starts. They forget about you. Literally. Food is gone and plates are taken away and you just sit there. The idea, I am sure, is for you to just sit, relax and enjoy your company, but I am used to having the bill before I am done eating and then paying with a lovely thing called a credit card. None of that exists, cash only and they loathe to give you change. At first, it drove me insane with inpatience (because anyone that knows me, knows that patience is definitely not my strong suit) but as time has past, it really isn't all that bad, you just have to ask for the bill or you will sit there til closing.
Anyway, so we go eat and after dinner, we see that it almost 4 and decide that we have to get an early start in the morning if we want to make it to the beach, so we just went back to the market and spent a great time trying on homemade clothes by wonderful Ukrainian ladies and buying really cool things for no money. Everyone bought real pearl necklaces for around 5 and 3 dollars and it was just a great time had by all. Love Odessa
