Bittersweet

This week has been filled with lots of different emotions. 

It was my last week teaching at the center school, and I'm leaving my host family to move to the summer camp. 

Even though there were times where teaching was really hard and frustrating  I loved it and I grew to love all my students. They were all such sweethearts and would always make me laugh.

  I'm defiantly going to miss these kiddos. 

The last week with them was such a blast though. We had our performance for the parents and it actually went really well! The kids all showed up in their best country style attire and danced their hearts out for the parents. 

I'm so proud of them!!!

It was a bummer though because I ended up getting really sick and I couldn't teach the last day, and had to say goodbye early. 

I'm going to miss them all so much. 

But I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to come and teach them.

Flower Festival

Kiev day: Part 2

Yay for having a day off from teaching! 

We've had to teach Monday-Saturday the past 2 weeks, but no more! 

Today my host mom (Kate) had a picnic for her work that she invited me too. 

She also teaches English! 

I met up with Jonathan and we went to her picnic. It was country style so all the kids were dressed up cute, making horses on sicks, and country dancing. It was lots of fun. 

Then we decided to check out this flower car festival. 

Flowers + Cars= The coolest thing ever. 

I think this car is adorable. 

This one was our favorite! Although it took asking a few different Ukrainians to get this picture. They didn't understand the concept of the camera button on a iPhone or how to not cut our heads off. 

Although we got stuck in a giant down poor, it was well worth it.

Kiev Day

It seems like there is some sort of celebration just about every weekend here.

This weekend it was Kiev day, which is just celebrating the city being founded. 

Unfortunately we had to teach this day, but we had fun in class! 

I told him to pose like an American and this is what happened! Too cute. 

When class was over we met up with the group and went to this cool light show. 

It was all in Russian so I didn't understand much of what was going on but it was still cool to learn some history on the beginning of Kiev. 

 Then we all just walked to Midan and hung out and talked. 

This is seriously one of my favorite spots in the city. 

It always has lots of people and activities going on. 

Not to mention all the gorgeous fountains.

It's a great place to hang out day and night.

Ukrinian Milk Men

One day after teaching I was walking to the metro with Lynn and Chelsea. While talking we were talking about Iron Man 3. Well considering we are usually the only ones on the street speaking english, we stand out.
So this Ukrainian man must have overheard us talking and knew some english because he walks up to me and asks "Do you like milk?" I was a little confused but simply answered "Yes, I like milk." and started to walk away.

 Apparently that wasn't good enough for me because then he starts hollering after me saying 

"Wait! Wait! Please wait!" 

After hearing a few horror stories of  the Ukrainian men I got a little nervous and started walking faster. He notices and continues to holler 

"Wait! Please please wait! Wait please!" 

Okay who is this guy and what does he want. 

"Wait! Your beautiful! Please wait!" 

RUN. 

Yes that's right. We all started running to the metro (including crazy milk man) 

 Not sure where he went to be honest. All I know is we got on the metro without him and I got a pretty funny story to tell out of it.

Dreamtown

There is a reason this mall is called dreamtown.

It's seriously like a dream. 

Not for the reason you would think though. 

The clothes.. ehhh. Lots of options but overpriced. 

But this is the ONE mall that I just walk around and visit the other countries (you'll see what I mean)

                                                               

 

Look I'm in London!  

Oh and now I'm in Italy! 

Now let's go to...

Mexico!!! 

This is probably the closest thing you'll find here to anything Mexican. They claim to have burritos.. But their definition of burritos and Mexican food isn't quite the same as mine.

This is the second time I've been to Paris! 

Well.. not really. 

I've been to the Paris airport once and to Paris in the dreamtown mall. 

Now were in the amazon! 

Hey look I'm back in America. 

Just kidding. 

But it was fun to see what the Ukrainians know us by. 

Independent Square (Midan)

This is one of my favorite places in Kiev.

Out of the many. 

 

 I love coming here on sunny days and being able to stick my feet in the fountain. It feels so good and just being in this place keeps me happy. Plus pretty much every weekend there is something fun going on. Not to mention making fun of all the drunk people.

 

There really isn't much to say about this place other than it's great and I love coming here! 

Not sure if I was supposed to get on top of this statue or not but everyone else was doing it.. Peer-pressure.

Lavra

I happen to be on of the lucky girls that is a afternoon teacher. So I get the liberty to choose to be lazy and sleep in or go out and explore. But it's always worth it when I get out and see the city. 

Today we (Chelsea and Lynn) met up with big Tanya (The head coordinator of ILP in Kiev) to go to the lavra (a fancy catholic church) and the caves.
I don't have pictures of the caves, because well it's not allowed.
But basically it was a bunch of small underground tunnels with important dead people. 

You wear scarves on your head once you enter the church grounds. Which I wouldn't mind doing more often just because it keeps you cool. 

It was odd watching another church service, especially in old Russian..

If you ever happen to google Kiev, Ukraine images this is most likely one of the first pictures that will show up. There's is slightly better of course. Although for an iPhone 4s it does a pretty good job. But no picture can capture the beauty of this place. I just love it! 

So who wants to donate to the Trying Every Restaurant in Kiev fund for me?

My stomach and I will greatly appreciate it. 

But seriously. 

I spend soo much money on food. It is way cheaper than America. Which is my way of justifying eating out all the time. 

Every time we go out we end up eating somewhere. But am I complaining? NO WAY!!! 

Especially when I get delicious borsch. 

The typical Ukrainian dish but it tastes different every time, although it never fails to taste delicious. 

Don't worry I'll learn how to make it and introduce to addiction to all of you!

Back To The Year 1062

Кам’янець-Подільський

(Kamianets-Podilskyi)

AKA the City of Castles. Or fortresses if you wanna get technical.  

FIRST TRAIN RIDE EVER!!! Such a cool way to travel. I was a little nervous to spend the night traveling on a train but it was a blast! Especially with these lovely ladies.

Sleeper Train

We got there super early in the morning. But it was great, more time for adventuring! 

Not to mention a view like this is a great way to start of anybody's day.

 

Why was I not born in the time of Castle's and Prince's? 

On second thought.. Maybe it's a good thing. I'm not a fan of their killing methods.  

OFF WITH HER HEAD!!!

 Lucky for us we were at the castle the day of the renaissance fair! So we got to see a bunch of people camped out in tents and wearing medieval attire, buy some cool jewelry made by the "blacksmiths", and watch people joust. 

Castle numba 2! 

Because of all the vacations and holidays this weekend all these castles were having party's! There was music (american of course) and dancing. I've discovered even if they don't understand the words, which most of them don't, they will listen to american music instead of music in Russian or Ukrainian. 

But we toured the castle, ate some food and enjoyed the party! 

 I have no idea  what this is. They were cooking it in a huge cauldron on a fire inside the castle. But it seems to be some authentic Ukrainian food so we couldn't resist trying it. I love food and everything I eat but seriously this stuff was TASTY!!!  

TIME FOR EXPLORING!

 My most favorite thing to do. 

Our exploring turned out to be very successful this time.

We went to the back of the castle and found all sorts of hidden tunnels that lead to places with wonderful views. It was almost like another castle. 

 

Somewhere in our exploring we ended up leaving the castle area and ended up in this little village area and this was their only way to cross the river. Dun Dun Dun..

Sounds dramatic like I'm over exaggerating right? Nope.

This is seriously how these people live. I just think it's great! 

 

 But who wouldn't be happy living in a village town where you can cross a rickety bridge, climb some crumbling stairs and find views like this? Not to mention you can ride a sketchy ferris wheel for only 10 Hrvnias ($1.25).  

I don't have picture proof but I can officially say that I have order something and had no idea what I was getting. This town was really small and so not a lot of people spoke english. We went to this restaurant expecting them to have an english menu or someone who somewhat could understand us. Nope. 

But being adventurous we stayed and ordered.  Saying die (I want) and point at a random spot on the menu. I'm sure our waiter just loved us.. 

But we ended up getting Varenyky!

Which is a delicious dumping filled with either sweet cheese (my favorite) or potatoes. 

I super lucked out and got sweet potatoes. 

But enough vacationing, I'm pooped. 

Time to go back to Kiev and teach for a while!

 

Traveling Junkie

I love the world, I love traveling and I love taking pictures and telling everyone about it! So here we go.

6 DAYS, 4 CITIES, AND 3 COUNTRIES. 

Woah my life is awesome! 

POLAND day 1. CITY Krakow. 

20+ hours on a bus is not so fun, but stepping off the bus and this being my first thing I see I think it's safe to say it was TOTALLY WORTH IT! 

Krakow Poland

Let the touring of many castle's begin. 

As rainy as a day we had in Poland I absolutely loved it. We toured the castle and the grounds around. Taking pictures of probably every little detail, but I just couldn't help it. Everything was beautiful. 

Fire Breathing Pickle Dragon

Yes, the caption on this picture is true. Even dragon statues breathe fire in Poland. Although I'm not sure why I call it the pickle dragon. Nobody else agrees with me. But if a pickle transformed into a dragon I would imagine it looking like this. Anyways.. 

Check this out! It doesn't get any better than this. Well actually everything here in Poland looks beautiful like this but I'm loving the castle and the fact that it's spring and everything is blooming and beautiful.

Love these girls! Kennedy and Sarah

 

Okay enough of the castle. Time to get out and explore the city! 

Just when I thought this trip couldn't get any better.. I tried the desserts. I LOVE POLISH FOOD!!! Actually I love all food and anyone that really knows me, knows this but still getting 3 delicious desserts to share was one of the best ideas of this trip so far. 

As great as Poland is the adventure there had to end so we could spend many more hours on a bus to go to Prague.

Country CZECH REPUBLIC. City PRAGUE. 

Most of you have probably heard rumors of how pretty Prague is. Well I am here to tell you that the rumors are true, it is just as beautiful as I thought if not more. 

The King's Garden

 

 There is no better place to be for spring time. Everything is in bloom, green and beautiful.

 

One of our goals on this trip was to take a picture with someone in uniform. CHECK. 

 

I really don't believe that there is a view better than this. I love Prague!!! 

 

And then there was this statue.. 

Gotta love the Europe! 

I really could keep going for days sharing pictures and stories of everything I did, saw and ate in Prague but I don't think there is much left to say other then Europe is great, especially Prague! 

Country POLAND. City WARSLAW (city of gnomes)

This is my second time in Poland this trip and I have officially decided it is my favorite country!

Not just because of the gnomes everywhere. Even though I love the little guys! 

My gnomies

How could you not love a place with a view like this? GAAH. Although to see this view my calves had to pay by hiking up 200+ stairs.. But it was soo worth it! 

Just call me and my friends wedding crashers. As we were prepping ourselves to climb all those stairs we stumbled across a crowd of fancy people. Assuming there must we something important going on, we waited, and waited, and waited to sneak a peak. Which turned out to be these lovely newlyweds. I'm not sure if this is a polish thing or if I can marry a fireman and be rescued from the top of a fire truck too but it was too cute.

 I like to post awkwardly next to things instead of just taking a picture of it by itself. ENJOY!

 PARTY IN POLAND!!! This has got to be hands down one of the best nights of my life. As if I didn't have a good day roaming around the streets of Poland when we got to our hotel we found out there was a carnival down the street. 

We got there and there was this random (to us at least) polish pop star singing! We didn't understand a word she was staying but why not enjoy the beat and dance a little? It just keeps getting better and better though. Not only was there a concert but carnival rides! MY FAVORITE. 

We picked the craziest looking one and it didn't fail to make us scream. Maybe it's just me but all the rides in Europe seem to spin faster and last for forever, it's great! 

But not wanting to go completely broke we headed back tot he party to get out groove on. 

That lasted awhile until the Polish boys started dancing with us.. 

Between not understanding each other and being intimidated by drunk polish men we decided we had enough partying and called it a night. 

Poland is defiantly on the top of my list of places to visit again though! 

Country GERMANY. City BERLIN. 

Last stop, Germany. 

I just have to say, it was not what I expected. 

Well none of the countries have been really. But Germany was way more modern than I thought. 

But man can I say it was nice to be somewhere where people spoke English and I could actually communicate with someone other than the ilp girls. 

Brandenburg Gate

Welcome to Berlin Germany! Where I seemed to spent the most money and took the most pictures. Germany is just so beautiful! Okay I get it, I say that about every country and every place I visit, but really it's true. I just think all of Europe is beautiful actually. 

Not to mention it is SUNNY today. 

Considering the day before my lips turned smurf blue because of the cold I am one happy tourist. 

Not sure what this building is.. We kind of ditched the tour guide to find food. Surprise, surprise! But it was pretty, so we took a picture in front of it. But like most pretty buildings in Europe, it's probably some sort of old church.

Currywurst! (I bought some of the sauce to have in America. Yay!)

Now do you understand why food is more important than our tour guide? I mean look at this plate. DELICIOUS!!! Plan on me coming home at least 10 pounds heavier... 

 

I found the Berlin wall. Well what was left of it. But history wise I know it's good there isn't much left! We also found this cool building (with super high security) that you got a German history 101 lesson to learn about the wall and the war while getting a bonus and having a great view of the city!

Confession.. This is really a holocaust memorial place. Buuut it made for a cool place to have a mini "photo shoot" with the girls.

BEST VACATION EVER!!! 

This whole vacation so far from getting to Ukraine and this 6 day trip is the adventure of a lifetime. I couldn't be happier right now.