Day 12…………………. First Day on Our Own!

Kostia was prompt, as usual... 9:40 we headed to the Desky Dom to pick Angela up. She was eagerly awaiting our arrival. Back at the apartment, she saw Pam’s watercolors and asked, in a non-translator accompanied method of communication, “pointing and gesturing,” if she could paint. Len made hot chocolate and toast with Nutella (yum!) and the day began. Using our Russian/English dictionary we talked about going out for lunch and offered the option of “pizza” or McDonalds. Much to Mama’s chagrin, we headed to the golden arches……..

After lunch we walked to a nearby park that was filled with what appeared to be rides and amusements from the 50’s. Just as Len and Pam were getting a great laugh at the miniature horses that were humiliatingly dressed in some Ukrainian folk garb. (one had an equine sense that even the horses themselves were embarrassed……. ) If being a dwarf horse wasn’t bad enough, they had to garnish the poor beast in peasant paraphernalia including, doilies and flowers……. An animal rights activist would have been appalled…. we, of course, were amused…. For some bizarre reason, Angela asked if we would take her picture atop the mutantly miniature steed……. $3 grivna later, she puts one leg in the stirrup and the other over the saddle….. even she realized the embarrassment to herself and the horse!! (an account of this event taken directly from Len’s journal)

Kostia and Galya picked us up and we headed 30 mins south to Balakavia, an ancient 2500 year old, Greek city on the coast of the Black Sea. Breathtaking, Relaxing and Beautiful……..

Before turning in for the evening, we decided to walk to our local market and get a few things we needed to fill our cupboards……. $22 US dollars later ($111 grivna) we had purchased: two tubes of Ukrainian ice cream, (thanks Margaret!), 10 eggs, ½ lb wedge of delicious butter cheese, a large juice, 2 bags of crackers, salad dressing, one can of Pringles, a large chocolate bar, 4 bottles of Stella Artoise (we need a few indulgences), can of peanuts, can of olives stuffed with mandarins, 2 packs of napkins, and two packs of gum…….. How's that for bargain shopping???