Welcome BACK to Ukraine!

Normally when I've left Ukraine, it's been to a nearby country for up to 2 and a half months. This time, I was gone back to the motherland for 4 whole months. So I knew there would be things I'd forget. So, what DID happen to me already?

I was completely surprised when we landed in Kyiv early, and no one hassled me at passport control, or customs. However, I did think it was funny that there was one passport control person for the 50 foreigners...until we noticed two others in the "foreign lanes"...they just failed to tell us they were open.

I wasn't so completely surprised at people asking if i needed a taxi or if I wanted to use their phones.

I did go and try to buy a sim card for my phone, however the lady, who was very polite, told me that the sim cards were supposed to come with some money already them, but the money wasn't there, so she wouldn't sell one to me.

I caught all 3 people who were looking for me, looking the wrong way (because I was already out of the gate).

I prayed and I know others prayed for a safe flight and connections, and no baggage lost, which was the case, HOWEVER! the van that picked me up broke down as we were nearing the homestretch. We had to get towed in. Honestly, what are the odds?

I froze the first few seconds I was out in the -15C air, but then I kind of got used to it.

I had pelmeni, which are little meat filled perogies, very Ukrainian.

I also went grocery shopping and was reminded at how inefficient most Ukrainian grocery stores are, how no one really seems to care, but how everyone seems to be a little more angry than normal.

I got stared at quite a bit...I think I have that "American swagger" back, and I was smiling entirely too much for someone out on the streets.

But all in all, I'm glad to be back. I'm dead tired, my living room is a mess because I think I took everything out of my bags with the intent of organizing everything before I went to bed (which I don't think will be the case) and I'm going to skip dinner because it's almost half past 5 in the afternoon, clear, sunny and beautiful, and I'm going to sleep!

Good night all, and I hope you have a wonderful day!