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Culture Archive
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All Quarantined-up and Nowhere To Go
Posted on November 14, 2009 | 1 CommentIt’s that time of year again: quarantine in Ukraine. Of course, this is no ordinary closure of schools. Generally, there are isolated outbreaks of the seasonal flu in January or February, causing individual regions and towns to shut down for a week or two. In addition to arriving in fall, this round of quarantine is nationwide for three weeks and affects all schools, universities, and public gatherings. -
The Year of Borshch
Posted on October 2, 2009 | 4 CommentsI’ve officially been in Ukraine for a year. In a way, it’s not hard to believe. Practically every time I met another volunteer the subject of time came up. “So how far along are you?” “How much longer do you have left?” It’s interesting how... -
When time isn't money
Posted on September 11, 2009 | No CommentsIn Ukraine, I wear a lot of hats. And not just in winter. I’m an English teacher, an American culture expert, a Mexican food chef, a basketball coach, a yoga instructor, a journalist, a travel agent, and a decent day laborer. I’m also a novice economist. -
Running Into New Friends
Posted on September 8, 2009 | 1 CommentI made a pact with myself when school started. I was going to run everyday during September. I’ve always been good at daily exercising, but I’ve never had to do it on my own before. It’s a lot easier when you have a team or a gym waiting for you. Hitting up the local soccer stadium where more people are smoking cigarettes than burning up the track is less than inviting. But people are surprisingly friendly there. -
Sweet Solitude
Posted on August 20, 2009 | 13 CommentsThis is my moment of zen. I hesitated to share it with you. In a culture as public and communal as Ukraine, I get territorial about my precious private moments. I took this photo on the coast of the Black Sea, after the rest of my party departed for a nap. It was pretty bold of me to stay behind. -
Grapes have seeds and other revelations
Posted on April 7, 2009 | 2 CommentsI'm fond of saying that I've learned a lot in my short time in Peace Corps Ukraine. And one of the more tangible things is a proverb: краше пізно ніж ніколі. It means "better late than never." -
Would you like fries with that?
Posted on March 31, 2009 | 2 CommentsI'm really not that American who travels abroad and eats at McDonalds. OK, up until my trip to Prague last week, that was a true statement. -
The Unofficial English Club
Posted on March 11, 2009 | 3 CommentsToday was a good day. After many failed attempts and half-starts, I had my very first English Club. -
Home Sweet Home
Posted on December 22, 2008 | 3 CommentsAfter 10 weeks of training, it was time yet again to leave a family, a community, and in my case an entire region of a country. Since graduation, it seems as if I’m in a constant state of motion. First, I left Waco for Katy, then Katy for Ukraine. -
A Cross-Cultural Open Gym Experience
Posted on November 30, 2008 | 1 CommentBefore I found out I was moving to Ukraine, I probably couldn’t have found it on a map. Ukraine, Romania, Georgia, Poland, and Belarus all blended together in my mind when I pictured Eastern Europe and Russia.
