Another confusing name predicament: diminutive forms.
I find this characteristic both really sweet and really mindboggling. Slavic languages typically have many "sweet" versions of each name, as well as common nicknames. Our equivalent of the nicknames might be Robert-Bob, Rebekah-Bekah. Some of them make sense:
Irina - Ira
Dmitri - Dima
Katarina - Katya
Vladislav - Vlad
Some, however, I just don't get:
Yevghenia - Zhenya
Alexander - Sasha
Daria - Dasha
I don't understand the Alexander - Sasha situation because, well, it doesn't make sense. I don't understand the Daria - Dasha combo because Dasha is hardly shorter than Daria.
A few years ago, I read The Brothers Karamozov by Dostoevsky, having no idea how very much a part of my life the Slavic culture would become. I had a great deal of trouble following the story at times because of all the different names that were used to reference one character. Because of all the diminutive/ sweet forms of a name, one person can easily go by 4 or 5 variations of his or her name. Example: Alexander = Sasha = Sanya = Sashka = Sash = Alex
For almost any name, there's a "sweet" version. Example: Ira = Irachka and Andrei = Andruzh. My name becomes Erinichka or Erinochka.
Seriously, it's confusing.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
What's in a name? Culture lesson on names, pt. 1
Something that will always be baffling to me...Slavic names.
The thing about it is that there are fewer "first" names that are used in Slavic countries than in the States. Theoretically, you can name your kid anything in the States and get away with it. Little One might catch some flack for having an unusual name, but eventually, that tends to blow over as they get older.
However, in Slavic countries, there is a more limited list of names that are used. Most of the names correlate to a saint that has been canonized by the Orthodox Church. Therefore, your Slavic friends frequently have the same names as each other. Having an unusual name becomes more of a stigma here than it does at home.
This naming conundrum presents negative and positive scenarios:
1. Positive: if you don't remember someone's name, just guess one of about 15 names and you'll probably get it right.
2. Negative: it's very hard to remember which of your friends is which.
Here's a (non-comprehensive) list of names that I have run into most frequently:
Boys
1. Sergei
2. Sasha
3. Igor (pronounced: EA-ger)
4. Andrei
5. Pasha
6. Dima
7. Kostia
8. Kolya
9. Viktor
10. Ivan (pronounced: ee-VAHN)
Girls
1. Ira
2. Tanya
3. Yulia
4. Oksana
5. Anya
6. Olya
7. Masha
8. Lena
9. Marina
10. Sveta
More to come on names...get excited!
The thing about it is that there are fewer "first" names that are used in Slavic countries than in the States. Theoretically, you can name your kid anything in the States and get away with it. Little One might catch some flack for having an unusual name, but eventually, that tends to blow over as they get older.
However, in Slavic countries, there is a more limited list of names that are used. Most of the names correlate to a saint that has been canonized by the Orthodox Church. Therefore, your Slavic friends frequently have the same names as each other. Having an unusual name becomes more of a stigma here than it does at home.
This naming conundrum presents negative and positive scenarios:
1. Positive: if you don't remember someone's name, just guess one of about 15 names and you'll probably get it right.
2. Negative: it's very hard to remember which of your friends is which.
Here's a (non-comprehensive) list of names that I have run into most frequently:
Boys
1. Sergei
2. Sasha
3. Igor (pronounced: EA-ger)
4. Andrei
5. Pasha
6. Dima
7. Kostia
8. Kolya
9. Viktor
10. Ivan (pronounced: ee-VAHN)
Girls
1. Ira
2. Tanya
3. Yulia
4. Oksana
5. Anya
6. Olya
7. Masha
8. Lena
9. Marina
10. Sveta
More to come on names...get excited!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ping Pong Tournament
Our church has a weekly outreach ministry on Tuesday nights: SMS Club. Text messages are called SMS, and I guess it's a play off that. Usually, SMS club consists of a central theme, discussions, games, and sometimes a drama or music. This week, however, we had a ping pong tournament!
It was a great time to involve new people in SMS, and some of our English clubbers came, too. To start the festivites, each of the 18 participants (all guys) were given a match. They proceeded to ceremonially light the "Olympic Ping Pong Torch."After the historic lighting ceremony, they began duking it out. We stayed for round one of the brackets. We haven't yet heard who won, but we'll try to find out tonight.
Olympic Torch
Vova laying down the rules to all the participants.
Part of the cheering section: me, Nastiya, and Masha
It was a great time to involve new people in SMS, and some of our English clubbers came, too. To start the festivites, each of the 18 participants (all guys) were given a match. They proceeded to ceremonially light the "Olympic Ping Pong Torch."After the historic lighting ceremony, they began duking it out. We stayed for round one of the brackets. We haven't yet heard who won, but we'll try to find out tonight.
Olympic Torch
Vova laying down the rules to all the participants.
Part of the cheering section: me, Nastiya, and MashaTuesday, February 24, 2009
4 Months
Today marks four months that I've been in Ukraine. Sometimes, it feels like I have been here for an eternity, and sometimes, it feels like I just got off the plane (especially when conversations get a little too over my head). Thanks for the support over the past 4 months!
To answer a question I received yesterday: yes, there is also a Women's Day. Women's Day is one of the biggest holidays in Ukraine. It's kind of like Mother's Day and Valentine's Day put together PLUS it's not just for women who are mothers or who are in relationships: it's for ALL women.
Facts learned about Men's Day:
Originally, this day was set aside to honor the men who had served in the Soviet Army (Veteran's Day-esque). When Ukraine became independent, the day became "Day of Defenders," meaning that any man who defends someone or something can be honored. I like the new name.
I received a Men's Day present yesterday, oddly enough. I go to the same store every time I need light bulbs. I've kind of made friends with the saleslady. She likes to help me practice my Russian. The owner was in the store with her yesterday, and she introduced me as "our foreigner." He began practicing Russian with me, too. I started to sweat, but I actually knew the vocabulary I needed and managed to squeak by. In return, in honor of the day, he gave me a box of matches that sports a picture of a tough-looking tank on the front. I have a matchbox defender now.
To answer a question I received yesterday: yes, there is also a Women's Day. Women's Day is one of the biggest holidays in Ukraine. It's kind of like Mother's Day and Valentine's Day put together PLUS it's not just for women who are mothers or who are in relationships: it's for ALL women.
Facts learned about Men's Day:
Originally, this day was set aside to honor the men who had served in the Soviet Army (Veteran's Day-esque). When Ukraine became independent, the day became "Day of Defenders," meaning that any man who defends someone or something can be honored. I like the new name.
I received a Men's Day present yesterday, oddly enough. I go to the same store every time I need light bulbs. I've kind of made friends with the saleslady. She likes to help me practice my Russian. The owner was in the store with her yesterday, and she introduced me as "our foreigner." He began practicing Russian with me, too. I started to sweat, but I actually knew the vocabulary I needed and managed to squeak by. In return, in honor of the day, he gave me a box of matches that sports a picture of a tough-looking tank on the front. I have a matchbox defender now.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The weather outside is frightful
Yes, it's still REALLY cold here. I woke up yesterday morning to find that it was 8 degrees (Farenheit) and still snowing from the day before. Snow is very pretty when it first falls. I have an aesthetic appreciation for it.
I do not, however, appreciate it so much when I have to trudge through it to get anywhere. We had to hike through it many times yesterday, making us incredibly cold and very wet. There has been a lot of snow here this winter. I've been told several times that there has been so much snow just for me. Until this year, there hasn't been any significant amount to stick and then stay around for a while. There has been plenty of that this winter! I hate to tell my Ukrainian friends that I really dislike snow. They're so excited for me to experience a true Ukrainian winter... I've never really cared for snow. I'm the kid that likes to stay inside with a book and just look at the snow through the window. Now, however, I not only have to go outside with the snow, I have to walk through it, slog through it, carry it with me on my boats and my pants. Alas...
Group shot of all the "young people" at church
Also, today is Men's Day. Happy Men's Day to all you men out there! Hope it's a wonderful day!
I do not, however, appreciate it so much when I have to trudge through it to get anywhere. We had to hike through it many times yesterday, making us incredibly cold and very wet. There has been a lot of snow here this winter. I've been told several times that there has been so much snow just for me. Until this year, there hasn't been any significant amount to stick and then stay around for a while. There has been plenty of that this winter! I hate to tell my Ukrainian friends that I really dislike snow. They're so excited for me to experience a true Ukrainian winter... I've never really cared for snow. I'm the kid that likes to stay inside with a book and just look at the snow through the window. Now, however, I not only have to go outside with the snow, I have to walk through it, slog through it, carry it with me on my boats and my pants. Alas...
Group shot of all the "young people" at church
Also, today is Men's Day. Happy Men's Day to all you men out there! Hope it's a wonderful day!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The week in Preview
Over the past month, the schedule around here has gotten BUSY. It's great, but it has also become a challenge to keep up. Here's a quick breakdown:
4: number of universities/colleges we teach in each week
3: days a week that we are at the church for worship or church-led outreach
2: number of weekly night classes we teach
1: class of English/Bible storying taught on Saturdays
Our weekly schedule looks something like this:
Sunday: church 1-3, various and sundry meetings off and on for the rest of the day
Monday: class at T. College, class at A. College, Erin- extra class at C. University every other week, weekly lesson planning/prep.
Tuesday: Erin- class at C. University, Hannah and Rachel- class at T. College, all 3- class at A. Academy, evening church-led outreach
Wednesday: off day until evening night class for Intermediate/Advanced
Thursday: class at C. University, class at A. Academy, second class at A. Academy, another class at C. University, evening prayer meeting at church
Friday: class at T. College, Hannah has taken over tutoring a young man that I had been tutoring last semester, evening night class for beginners
Saturday: scheduled hanging out time with friends/contacts, English club/Bible storying with middle schoolers (Rachel has been teaching this with me and is helping shoulder the load there)
I spend a good chunk of my week planning lessons. I've found a few classes each week that can overlap lessons, which is such a blessing. However, it's very very tiring.
4: number of universities/colleges we teach in each week
3: days a week that we are at the church for worship or church-led outreach
2: number of weekly night classes we teach
1: class of English/Bible storying taught on Saturdays
Our weekly schedule looks something like this:
Sunday: church 1-3, various and sundry meetings off and on for the rest of the day
Monday: class at T. College, class at A. College, Erin- extra class at C. University every other week, weekly lesson planning/prep.
Tuesday: Erin- class at C. University, Hannah and Rachel- class at T. College, all 3- class at A. Academy, evening church-led outreach
Wednesday: off day until evening night class for Intermediate/Advanced
Thursday: class at C. University, class at A. Academy, second class at A. Academy, another class at C. University, evening prayer meeting at church
Friday: class at T. College, Hannah has taken over tutoring a young man that I had been tutoring last semester, evening night class for beginners
Saturday: scheduled hanging out time with friends/contacts, English club/Bible storying with middle schoolers (Rachel has been teaching this with me and is helping shoulder the load there)
I spend a good chunk of my week planning lessons. I've found a few classes each week that can overlap lessons, which is such a blessing. However, it's very very tiring.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Rewind...Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day was great! We spent it in Dnipropetrovsk with Mike and Linda Ray (www.reachukraine.org). For Valentine's lunch/dinner, we went to TGIFriday's. It was fabulous. However, we did have to wait for 239479 hours to get our food. Hannah and I reverted to our childhoods and played Eye Spy. Rachel wanted to disown us. She was being a real grown-up.
Rachel, Hannah, me
Rachel, me, Hannah
And, thank you for the flowers. They were beautiful. Hannah and Rachel did a great job on this end.
AND: A very happy late birthday to Rachel! So glad we could all celebrate together...starting VERY early in the morning...
Rachel, Hannah, me
Rachel, me, Hannah
AND: A very happy late birthday to Rachel! So glad we could all celebrate together...starting VERY early in the morning...
Friday, February 20, 2009
Oh my life
My life is so interesting.
Hannah, Rachel, and I visited Dnipropetrovsk over Valentine's Day weekend. Right before we left for Dnipro, I had the surreal experience of watching one of the lightbulbs in my bedroom light fixture actually explode. Rachel heard it from the hallway and came to check on me. Weird. And, the light would not turn off: the knob would turn off, but the electricty was still surging. Scary. The landlord made arrangements to fix it while we were gone.
Dnipro was good. We got to eat at TGIFriday's! It was wonderful.
Upon arriving back in Poltava, we found that 1. my light was still not working and 2. the internet was not working. We spent the week trying to get the internet fixed (what a FUN ordeal). Other mishaps during the week: a cranky washing machine, 2 burnt-out bulbs in the bathroom, my light got fixed and then immediately blew 2 bulbs, and the printer and I have had multiple rounds. The printer won most of them.
Our schedule has recently become HECTIC. So many doors and opportunities have opened. We teach approx. 12 classes per week. Tonight, we began our weekly night class for beginning ESL students. Eighteen (18) students showed up! They found the alphabet BINGO to be incredibly exciting.
More updates to come... Thanks for hanging in there with me!
Hannah, Rachel, and I visited Dnipropetrovsk over Valentine's Day weekend. Right before we left for Dnipro, I had the surreal experience of watching one of the lightbulbs in my bedroom light fixture actually explode. Rachel heard it from the hallway and came to check on me. Weird. And, the light would not turn off: the knob would turn off, but the electricty was still surging. Scary. The landlord made arrangements to fix it while we were gone.
Dnipro was good. We got to eat at TGIFriday's! It was wonderful.
Upon arriving back in Poltava, we found that 1. my light was still not working and 2. the internet was not working. We spent the week trying to get the internet fixed (what a FUN ordeal). Other mishaps during the week: a cranky washing machine, 2 burnt-out bulbs in the bathroom, my light got fixed and then immediately blew 2 bulbs, and the printer and I have had multiple rounds. The printer won most of them.
Our schedule has recently become HECTIC. So many doors and opportunities have opened. We teach approx. 12 classes per week. Tonight, we began our weekly night class for beginning ESL students. Eighteen (18) students showed up! They found the alphabet BINGO to be incredibly exciting.
More updates to come... Thanks for hanging in there with me!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
More wheels, more bus
To continue from yesterday, I have another public transport observation.
When you get on the bus or trolley, you wait for the money collector. This person is usually a woman with a grim expression on her face. You can tell who the collectors are because they almost always wear a fanny pack (this is like their cash register). They come looking for people who aren't holding tickets, take your money, give you change, and tear off a ticket stub for you to hold.
These poor money collectors always look so weary with the world. They have cranky voices and sour expressions. Why? Oh because they are always having to be aggressive. They have to push and shove their ways up and down the bus or trolley. They have to make sure they get money from everyone before people get off the vehicles. They have to give correct change to the right people. Can you blame them?
Today, I saw something I haven't actually seen before. The bus was crowding up quickly, and the collector was going to have to struggle from the front to the back. So, instead, when the bus made a stop, she got off the bus at the front door, walked to the back entranced, and got on with the new group of people. That way, she could collect from the majority first and move forward as the crowd thinned out. Smart girl!
Marshrutka drivers on the other hand...they drive and collect money and dispense change all at the same time. It's SO totally safe.
When you get on the bus or trolley, you wait for the money collector. This person is usually a woman with a grim expression on her face. You can tell who the collectors are because they almost always wear a fanny pack (this is like their cash register). They come looking for people who aren't holding tickets, take your money, give you change, and tear off a ticket stub for you to hold.
These poor money collectors always look so weary with the world. They have cranky voices and sour expressions. Why? Oh because they are always having to be aggressive. They have to push and shove their ways up and down the bus or trolley. They have to make sure they get money from everyone before people get off the vehicles. They have to give correct change to the right people. Can you blame them?
Today, I saw something I haven't actually seen before. The bus was crowding up quickly, and the collector was going to have to struggle from the front to the back. So, instead, when the bus made a stop, she got off the bus at the front door, walked to the back entranced, and got on with the new group of people. That way, she could collect from the majority first and move forward as the crowd thinned out. Smart girl!
Marshrutka drivers on the other hand...they drive and collect money and dispense change all at the same time. It's SO totally safe.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The wheels on the bus...
In order for you to be fully a part of my life, you need to know about one of the most important/vital/ can't-live-without aspects: public transportation. I'm listing- for your reading enjoyment- the various types of transportation to be found in Poltava:
1. Trolley bus (pronounced: tro-LAY boos). This form of transportation involves a very big bus that is attached to overhead electrical cables. It is (in principle) fairly spacious. Interesting fact: senior citizens ride for free. This means that it is full of babushkas and dedushkas (see previous post for info. on babushkas...), and the chances of a younger person finding a seat are very slim. When trolleys fill up, it's almost unbearable; the combination of heat and body odor is quite intense. However, trolleys are the cheapest: 75 kopeks. This translates into about a dime. The different numbers of the trolleys indicate which route they travel.
2. Bus (av-toe-boos). This is a regular-sized bus. There tend to be fewer senior citizens riding buses, generally speaking. Buses are smaller but get pretty cramped, hot, and stuffy as well. They are a little pricier: 1 grievna (about $.25)
3. Marshrutka. This is like a van. These are not government-owned but are run by private companies. These, like trolleys and buses, have set routes. They are the most expensive: 1 grievna and 25 kopek (roughly $.30). The good thing about marshrutkas are that they are much faster. The tricky part is that you have to tell them where to stop...in Russian. Generally, you need to know the name of the bus stop (ha!). I've been working on my marshrutka skills. I'm getting better.
Etiquette for public transport (as I can learn from my fellow passengers):
1. If someone is in your way, push them.
2. Acquiring a seat = cutthroat measures
3. If a babushka gets on, you give up your seat (this one I'm ok with...reminds me of home).
4. Move toward the door well before your stop.
5. Try to travel lightly. Otherwise, you will have difficulties maneuvering. Trust me on this one...
6. Learn to read Cyrillic AND learn the sections of the town. This is tricky and a never-ending learning process.
7. Pay close attention to the directional signs on the bus. If you don't, you will end up going the wrong direction. How do I know? Well, this morning, for example, I did not pay CLOSE attention. I got on the bus going to the part of town that I needed to head toward. I did not pay attention to the fact that it was going in a different circle around the city, which would take me 40 minutes out of the way. I realized my mistake in enough time to only set myself back by about 15 minutes. I called the professor to tell her I would be late. Oh, how they laughed when they heard my reason.
I'm sure there will be many more stories to come. Stay tuned.
1. Trolley bus (pronounced: tro-LAY boos). This form of transportation involves a very big bus that is attached to overhead electrical cables. It is (in principle) fairly spacious. Interesting fact: senior citizens ride for free. This means that it is full of babushkas and dedushkas (see previous post for info. on babushkas...), and the chances of a younger person finding a seat are very slim. When trolleys fill up, it's almost unbearable; the combination of heat and body odor is quite intense. However, trolleys are the cheapest: 75 kopeks. This translates into about a dime. The different numbers of the trolleys indicate which route they travel.
2. Bus (av-toe-boos). This is a regular-sized bus. There tend to be fewer senior citizens riding buses, generally speaking. Buses are smaller but get pretty cramped, hot, and stuffy as well. They are a little pricier: 1 grievna (about $.25)
3. Marshrutka. This is like a van. These are not government-owned but are run by private companies. These, like trolleys and buses, have set routes. They are the most expensive: 1 grievna and 25 kopek (roughly $.30). The good thing about marshrutkas are that they are much faster. The tricky part is that you have to tell them where to stop...in Russian. Generally, you need to know the name of the bus stop (ha!). I've been working on my marshrutka skills. I'm getting better.
Etiquette for public transport (as I can learn from my fellow passengers):
1. If someone is in your way, push them.
2. Acquiring a seat = cutthroat measures
3. If a babushka gets on, you give up your seat (this one I'm ok with...reminds me of home).
4. Move toward the door well before your stop.
5. Try to travel lightly. Otherwise, you will have difficulties maneuvering. Trust me on this one...
6. Learn to read Cyrillic AND learn the sections of the town. This is tricky and a never-ending learning process.
7. Pay close attention to the directional signs on the bus. If you don't, you will end up going the wrong direction. How do I know? Well, this morning, for example, I did not pay CLOSE attention. I got on the bus going to the part of town that I needed to head toward. I did not pay attention to the fact that it was going in a different circle around the city, which would take me 40 minutes out of the way. I realized my mistake in enough time to only set myself back by about 15 minutes. I called the professor to tell her I would be late. Oh, how they laughed when they heard my reason.
I'm sure there will be many more stories to come. Stay tuned.
Monday, February 9, 2009
"Babushkas are MEAN!"
Quote by one, Hannah Davis.
"Babushka" is the word for "grandmother" in Russian. It is also used in general as a term for an elderly woman, whether or not said lady is the speaker's actual grandmother. It's not exactly a term of respect, but it's a respectful word used in reference to older ladies.
Hannah, however, made a discovery this week.
"Babushkas are MEAN! The are NOT the sweet little old ladies of the South."
She's right on many levels. The 'little old ladies' of Ukraine are not the sweet church ladies that we have grown accustomed to. These ladies are tough and hardened from their years of fighting for existence. While our little old ladies will call us "Honey" and "Sugar", these babushkas will knock us out of the way without a second thought to our well-beings. If you're in line and they feel that they should be that far up in the line, you're getting bumped. If you're walking too slowly or in the way, you're going to be roughly pushed aside. Poor Hannah experienced both of these situations in one afternoon- by the same babushka!
We think this babushka has it out for Hannah...
"Babushka" is the word for "grandmother" in Russian. It is also used in general as a term for an elderly woman, whether or not said lady is the speaker's actual grandmother. It's not exactly a term of respect, but it's a respectful word used in reference to older ladies.
Hannah, however, made a discovery this week.
"Babushkas are MEAN! The are NOT the sweet little old ladies of the South."
She's right on many levels. The 'little old ladies' of Ukraine are not the sweet church ladies that we have grown accustomed to. These ladies are tough and hardened from their years of fighting for existence. While our little old ladies will call us "Honey" and "Sugar", these babushkas will knock us out of the way without a second thought to our well-beings. If you're in line and they feel that they should be that far up in the line, you're getting bumped. If you're walking too slowly or in the way, you're going to be roughly pushed aside. Poor Hannah experienced both of these situations in one afternoon- by the same babushka!
We think this babushka has it out for Hannah...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Milestones in Life
Today is the one-year anniversary of the tornado that changed my life.
One year ago today, a tornado tore up my college campus and totally changed the course of the semester. It never ceases to amaze me that God spared so many lives and that we all came through. And now, Union is thriving and is even better than it was before!
A big thank you to all the wonderful people who helped me get back up and going again after I lost my belongings and my place to live last year. You were all such a blessing. Also a big virtual hug to the roommates who went through it with me and then lived out the rest of the semester with me. Oh, Lovelace 1...
Brad and Kat- sorry about the chapstick complaints. I'm good to go this year; I have about 25 tubes.
Thank you for your prayers and support over the last year. They have been invaluable.
One year ago today, a tornado tore up my college campus and totally changed the course of the semester. It never ceases to amaze me that God spared so many lives and that we all came through. And now, Union is thriving and is even better than it was before!
A big thank you to all the wonderful people who helped me get back up and going again after I lost my belongings and my place to live last year. You were all such a blessing. Also a big virtual hug to the roommates who went through it with me and then lived out the rest of the semester with me. Oh, Lovelace 1...
Brad and Kat- sorry about the chapstick complaints. I'm good to go this year; I have about 25 tubes.
Thank you for your prayers and support over the last year. They have been invaluable.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
On the go
Everyone know this idiom: "on the go"? We taught it at English club tonight.
This was our second week of night classes, and it's going very well. We're making friends with our students and even have a plan to go ice skating with some of them tomorrow. Please pray for our friend Sasha; Hannah had the opportunity to talk with him tonight about the Main Thing. He's searching but is receiving mixed views from different sources. Please pray for clarity and for the Truth to shine through.
Thanks for your prayers and support!
This was our second week of night classes, and it's going very well. We're making friends with our students and even have a plan to go ice skating with some of them tomorrow. Please pray for our friend Sasha; Hannah had the opportunity to talk with him tonight about the Main Thing. He's searching but is receiving mixed views from different sources. Please pray for clarity and for the Truth to shine through.
Thanks for your prayers and support!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
How bazaar
I love the bazaar.
The whole concept is fabulous. It's kind of our version of Wal-Mart or Target. You just hop from stall to stall and get what you need. Need a sweater? No problem. Razor blades? Gotcha covered. Furry leopard print purse? 100 grievnas...no, for you- my very good friend- 80.
It's so fun and fabulous.
Just a few drawbacks: no shopping bags. Muddy walkways. Tiny tiny spaces. Not open on Mondays. Close at 3. Labyrinth of colossal proportions.
Other than that, it may be my favorite place in Poltava.
The whole concept is fabulous. It's kind of our version of Wal-Mart or Target. You just hop from stall to stall and get what you need. Need a sweater? No problem. Razor blades? Gotcha covered. Furry leopard print purse? 100 grievnas...no, for you- my very good friend- 80.
It's so fun and fabulous.
Just a few drawbacks: no shopping bags. Muddy walkways. Tiny tiny spaces. Not open on Mondays. Close at 3. Labyrinth of colossal proportions.
Other than that, it may be my favorite place in Poltava.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
