Me? Another language?

Okay, I'll admit it... I never really tried to learn Greek. It happened to a degree, of course, just by virtue of being there, but I never really put in much effort because for some reason I never really cared. In contrast, I want to speak Russian so incredibly much... and consequently I am spending a lot of time learning. Alex and I put stickers all over the apartment today labeling "stol" and "lampa" and "cartina". I've also been trying to use it more. Roman (I adore that name when pronounced in Russian... row-ma(soft)n) was over this evening and I played hostess in Russian even though he understands English fairly well. There was one point where Alex asked me to say the Russian alphabet and I was like "ah, beh, veh, deh... uh I don't think I can... can you guys?" And then they laughed because neither of them could. 

I blame the absence of a Russian alphabet song. 

Coming tomorrow: Christmas tree shopping in Chernigov...

Chernigov After Dark

Since Alex and I managed to miss daylight yesterday, Vara and Alex took me on a little nighttime tour of Chernigov. We drove around for a while and there was an interesting comparison between Soviet housing and older and newer architecture but basically Chernigov looks like any other city... just with more gold-domed churches and more people in fur. WAY more people in fur. So after we drove around for a while it started to snow and the boys took me to a little river port where we got out of the car, climbed a 1,000 year old staircase ("America isn't even as old as this staircase!") and walked around this beautiful old park. As we walked Alex and Vara pointed out different historical landmarks: Here is the oldest church in the former S.U., These are the twelve cannons that defended Chernigov many years ago. Etc. Etc. I was fascinated by how interested and proud they were of their city, of their landmarks, of their history. (By the way, Vera is a friend of Alex who I've met twice now. He doesn't speak English except for "pen, pencil, girl, boy and table" but I adore him anyway. Funny how you can judge someone's character without even having a proper conversation with them. (Or perhaps that's a skill I've acquired living abroad.))

Eventually we got cold and headed home.

"I want to see Ukraine during the day." I said.

"Neit" Alex said, "it's better in the dark."

Ochen Harasho

I think I've been here three days now, but every moment seems to blur into the next leaving me in a sort of haze. There is Absolute Bliss in having the freedom to do nothing and to be with the one you love. You can sleep when you're tired and eat when you're hungary and not feel beholden to anyone or anything. That's what this week has been like... blissful haze. For example, Alex went into the kitchen to make me tea (chai... see my Russian is improving already!) a few minutes ago and came out with a cup of tea, Russian biscuits cut diagonally, almonds and pistachios with a little cocktail umbrella sticking out of one of the biscuits. We're soaking up all those little pleasures that most of the time no one has the time to appreciate... 

[I stopped writing to drink my tea and then watched a movie and fell asleep for 12 hours... it is now past 4 pm the next day and we just woke up, completely missing sunlight, my tour of Chernigov, and any time to prepare for a "Greek themed" dinner we're having for one of Alex's friends... oops.]

As I said, time means nothing to us right now. We literally slept through all of daylight which is a confusing feeling. I feel like I'm back at yesterday. Now that I think about it, we really should get ourselves on some kind of schedule. 

Anyway, let me continue my "arrival" story:

I walked through the door of the airport to where mobs were standing with signs and anxious faces. I walked about ten seconds before I saw him; tall and grinning with a bouquet of roses. We embraced, blocking the passageway out and not caring one bit. I felt a surge of emotions: relief, joy... and a sense that nothing at all had changed. We were apart for four months and still felt every bit the same about each other... perhaps more. 

A moment later Alex introduced me to his friend, Oleqs. (I think? I thought it was the same as Alex's name, but apparently not.) He was sweet and doesn't speak a word of English. We went out to his car and Alex sat in the back with me (on the instruction of Oleqs) and we cuddled and stared at each other like we couldn't believe this was happening. A few minutes passed and we stopped at a little restaurant on the side of the road. It was an adorned log cabin and when you walked in there was a bar in front of you and then stairs on either side leading to little tiny rooms with one table each. We ate some traditional Russian food and then went home to Chernigov where Alex made me dinner. 

Thank You Pasha.

After four months of living in America I'm back overseas and figure I should start blogging again... 

I am currently in Chernigov, Ukraine. And boy was it an interesting trip. Before I explain, though, let me just say I am THRILLED to be here. And, although disoriented, absolutely content to just lie in bed with Alex for like, the rest of eternity. (The only reason I'm writing this is because he ran out to get some potatoes for the dinner he's making me.) 

On Monday afternoon Mom, Joni and Dylan dropped me off at Logan airport. I boarded a plane to JFK and then we waited for half an eternity on the runway, causing me to just barely make my connecting flight. When I stepped (or, rather, slid) into Delta Gate 10 to board the plane I looked around and couldn't contain my laughter. Everyone looked just like Alex. I'm pretty sure I could spot a Ukranian from a helicopter. 

On the JFK-KIEV flight I was seated next to a guy that was probably Alex's long lost twin brother. He was a Ukranian with a US Passport who is currently living in Odessa, Ukraine. I was thrilled when I realized he spoke English and he (along with everyone else) was very curious as to why an American girl was traveling to Ukraine alone. We made conversation over the course of the flight and he turned out to be an interesting guy who reminded me more and more of Alex as the flight went on. And boy was that an excruciating flight. I couldn't sleep (despite three melatonin) or read or watch movies because I was so anxious to get there...

But finally we arrived. Pasha, my seat mate, took down my carry on and as he hopped across the aisle to avoid an inside-airplane traffic jam, instead of the typical wave and "nice to meet you" he said "Come with me" and then basically saved my life about 14 times. "Stand in this line" "Fill this out" "Go now" "Stand here" and then when the passport control guy said I needed Alex's address to enter the country (really?) Basha appeared out of nowhere and gave his address instead and talked the passport guy into letting me through. And then he helped with my luggage, etc, etc. (This airport was absolutely insane and I never ever would have retrieved my bags if it wasn't for him.) The last I saw him we were walking towards the exit and I looked at him nervously and he said "Go, go, see him". And there was Alex on the other side, roses in hand... 

I'll finish the story in my next post... but long story short... thanks Pasha.