As we sit down with a cup of tea, we are thinking of the dietary changes our bodies have endured over the past 11 days. Only a couple of times have I ever gotten John to drink tea - he's a coffee man. But in a world without drip coffee, his choices are very few.
Most of this side of the world enjoys the extra heavy cappuccino and latte drinks. For us to order a "cappuccino americano" means it's only a 6 shot drink instead of the normal 10. You would think this high dose of caffeine would keep us up and keep us regular, but that would not be the case. So much has changed for our poor bodies (the time, the climate, the diet) that we have struggled to adjust.
Not to mention, there are no beds like ours in the entire country, we're pretty sure. Imagine sleeping on the box spring and you've got a Ukrainian bed. Okay, you can add a woolen blanket as some of them do for padding - now you've got a deluxe Ukrainian bed. Sometimes we can't help but whine a little. We are thankful Ibuprofen is pronounced the same in Russian as in English. :o)
Here is a snapshot of our breakfast the day before we left for Kiev. We are blessed to have insight on which restaurants have English menus. This one, called Cherry Pizza, is one of them. In fact I've blogged to you all from there as they have WIFI and are open 24/7 as well.
John ordered the Salt Pancakes.
These are a blintz pancake with a side of sour cream. This is a typical pancake that can either be served as a "salt" or "sweet" dish. A salt pancake has cheese, meat, vegetables, sour cream, etc. A sweet pancake usually has fruit, chocolate syrup, nuts, honey or the like.
I ordered one called something like Sweet Toast.
It ended up being a french bread prepared like french toast, but with chopped almonds on both sides and drizzled carmel sauce on top. It was almost too sweet for breakfast, but we endured through it! :o)
At some restaurants we are able to point and make hand motions. John is very well versed in this kind of communication. It seems many of the guys he works with talk a lot with their hands, make noises, facial expressions to communicate. It's kind of like primitive talking. Needless to say, I have him order for us. It usually works pretty well when they do not speak English. Hunger is a great motivating factor.
In fact, John has been trying to learn Russian while he's here to communicate with everyone. He has a English to Russian translation book that he started studying before we left the States. But the funny thing is that after 11 days, I think he knows 2 words. In reality, since they don't know much English, he's actually responding to them in Spanish, the only other language he does know. He'll say, "Buenos dais" and the like. Now our attorney/interpreter is speaking Spanish to John instead of English! Actually Sergiy doesn't know Spanish - what he's speaking now is what John's taught him! I believe we're in trouble.
We have struggled constantly with internet services. There is so much to tell and I am trying diligently to get on-line to communicate, but we are constantly be kicked off or can not get on at all. John's Netbook will only get on-line at certain places that have WIFI, like McDonalds. Mine (thankfully) will usually get on anywhere, including with the high speed cable hookup we have in the apartment. But all of this is very unstable. Sergiy says this is how it is in all Ukraine. And it doesn't bother them. They expect no different - it's the kind of services they are use to.
As I attempt to post another blog (such as this one) it "auto saves" while I'm typing - which is great! But because of the unstable internet, it is sometimes days old before I get the chance to finish it and send it on to you. I feel so behind! but I know you don't mind. Thanks for hanging in there with me. I wish you a wonderful day filled with good food and lots of rest.
Until next time, all our love to you and yours,
Jenn
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