Ukrainian Top 5

Top 5 things I love about Ukraine

1. The singing.

One of my favorite memories of living in Bar is being at Sasha and Alona's house. It was Dima's second birthday and everybody significant to him had gathered to celebrate his life. Both sets of grandparents were there, as were cousins, aunts, uncles, godparents and friends. We sat around the table eating and drinking to his health, to his success, to his happiness, to all the goodness awaiting him in life. Towards the end of the evening, as often happens when lots of alcohol has been consumed, everyone started singing. Dima sat on the couch clapping his hands and smiling and I sat at the table trying my hardest to make the moment stand still. I love it when they sing and their voices blend together and it's so beautiful I want to cry. I love that the library of songs is inexhaustible, that everybody knows all of them, and that they have been gathering and singing around the table for generations.

2. The people.

Ukrainians are really good people. They are generous and caring. True, many a Ukrainian has driven me nuts these past two years; but none purposely or knowingly. I was on the train going back to Vinnystia after being in Kiev with my cats and I was sharing a coupe with two middle aged women. First, one snuck me a piece of chocolate. Then the other slid me an apple. Then the first gave me a banana. Then the second offered me some salami. It was very Ukrainian. No matter how much or how little they have, they will always offer it to a stranger.


3. The language.

As challenging as it has been, I have really come to love living in another language. There is something very amazing and beautiful about communicating with someone in their native language. I was at the store buying fruit yesterday when the saleswoman asked me if I was from Poland. No, I said, I'm American. She looked at me, smiled and said, "You're American? And you speak our language? That's wonderful." And it is.

4. Shashleeking.

Nothing beats rounding up all your friends, heading to the woods and having a BBQ. Nothing beats sitting around a picnic blanket, drinking vodka, eating meat, playing soccer or cards. Nothing beats looking around at the rolling hills and seeing a herd of cows off in the distance. Nothing beats a Ukrainian shashleek.


5. The cultural moments.

I love that Ukraine is Ukraine. It's not America, it's not Russia, it's not any other country. It's distinctly itself, and I love it. I love the cultural moments that result from it. Two weeks ago, I had my end of service medical exam. I was shocked, and a bit aghast, to learn that I have gained 17 pounds since coming here. When I told Roma, he responded: "That's great! See how you gained weight in Ukraine!" Later, Roma said to his mom, "Guess how much weight Sheryl has gained in Ukraine?" And later, his mom told Oksansa, and Oksana told her boyfriend. Just this week, as we sat around a dinner table with a bunch of friends, Roma nudged me and asked, "How much weight did you gain in Ukraine?" And then proceeded to tell everyone my news. I had to smile to myself because it was one of those cultural moments that is so not American, and so worth the smile.