At Long Last

So, I have failed to update in about a month and a half. But, in my defense, it was a short month, and March does have 31 days, so it isn't all that long. This brings us to the point of why I do not update more regularly. First of all I am busy. I figured, when I came here, that I would have my classes and maybe an extra hour or so a week of English clubs. This has turned out not to be the case. My class load is not all that difficult. It is 18 classes a week. This, however, is coupled with a plethora of English clubs, both at school and outside of school. These clubs increase my output to another at least 7 hours a week, and sometimes more. These are, of course, classroom hours, and do not include planning time. I also have a Ukrainian language tutor, and I end up going to his apartment usually 3 or 4 times a week, though I don't necessarily study Ukrainian every time I go.

But, I'm aware that some people may, in fact, be interested with what I have to say. So, full of self-importance I will humor you. Perhaps, another thing I should write, is that if you regular read, please become a follower on the blog. A larger number of people there will motivate me to update this on a more regular basis. I have written a few times that I do not edit these posts before I publish them. This is still the case, and part of the reason I have not been updating regularly. Because, though I do not edit, I also have difficulty half-assing (I think that is the scientific term) these, because I know they will be read by at least some people. So I have been given a list of potential topics by a friend, and will try to hit on those within the next few weeks to months. We'll see how it goes. First things first, I am in good shape, relatively healthy, in relatively good spirits, and still committed to my service; so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

I should probably give a general description of my town. I do not think I have yet given one of an adequate nature, just a few sentences here, and there. First, if you are interested in seeing the pictures please go to the following links. I have put these here myself, and they are not viruses. I have pictures of Kaharlyk, my first town here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2084642&id=17600435&l=b3c382b84d This includes my house there, the family I lived with, and some of the people in my cluster.

I have pictures of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and a beautiful city: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2084546&id=17600435&l=b1bcb1a759

And finally an album of pictures from Zhmerynka, my new home town. These include some students, my first apartment, where I no longer live, my favorite graffiti in town, and also some pictures of Yulia Tymoshenko from the politically rally she had in my town: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2085177&id=17600435&l=639854595a

But, in my time here I have been on a number of trains. To Kyiv a few times, and I will be going again tomorrow. To Vinnitsa, the largest city in my close proximity, and to Ivano-Frankivsk, a city in western Ukraine where I had a meeting. It frequently seems that I'm riding through a watercolor, or a north country American town about 90 years ago or more. Full of snow, tin roofs, and wells, and outhouses. Outhouses are more prominent in the smaller villages, I have not seen them in my town. And, luckily I have not had to use one yet. I have even seen a number of horses, and horse drawn carts in smaller villages. They look like the one the Tinker in Ireland had (Matt and Dad would remember that, and I'm sure a few of you have seen the picture). But, seeing the horse carts does always remind me of the Guinness Storehouse (for the record, a great beer, but a poor museum).

My town, during the depths of winter looks like I imagine the North Pole would if it were truly the North Pole of the children's books which depict Santa's village. With the snow ubiquitous throughout the winter (it recently made a hiatus, but has returned this weekend) and Christmas/New Year's lights throughout the town the duration of winter, including light-up stars, lights in the shape of trees. And, in the back roads of the town, the snow was never taken off the roads, and they would be solid with snow, with small houses close together on either side of the road. Much different from what would be seen in an American town, but a bit fascinating to see. I even saw someone navigating through town on cross-country skis this winter. I had to do a double take. I could not believe that on one of the main roads in the town center someone would be able to go on cross-country skis, but I was pretty happy that person could.

I think the pictures would do a better job describing my town than I can. But, the town has a residential area, and a center. The center is large, and has a square which is anchored by an Orthodox Church on one end, and the Town Rada (town hall) on the other. There are a number of shops, and stores in town. Some large, some small. We have a large supermarket, in the center, and a number of bars and cafes. The town, is size-wise a good deal smaller than North Kingstown, but has a higher population. It is organized differently, though. In North Kingstown we have Wickford, and then long Post Road as the base of our commerce. It would be difficult to do everything necessary by walking, but here the center has everything we need, and it is entirely walkable. Everything is much more centralized in the town. Like in my previous town, there are a tremendous amount of dogs, and many of them are street dogs, including one that likes to chase after me and snap at me when I'm on my way to school.

As you will see, if you look at the pictures, the town is dominated by a number of boxy Soviet-style apartment buildings, as well. The apartment buildings are the biggest difference I notice with my town, and a town of a similar size back in the states. There are just so many apartment buildings, while at home they are pretty much solely in larger cities. But, just look at the pictures. I am getting tired. So I'll sign off here. I'll try to be quicker to update in the future, if there are any topics you are curious about please let me know. My email address is peter.meegan@gmail.com

That's all I know for now. Go Friars (next year)

Pete