Tag: Ukraine
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Ukrainian Horilka Part 1: History, Procedures and Protocols
Horilka: a fermented liquor made from wheat, potatoes, honey and sometimes shoe laces (at least it seems like it.) It’s no secret, I enjoy a good drink or two, much to everybody’s dismay. One friend even told me, “Steve, when you drink you don’t need condoms cause you ain’t getting laid anyway.” Whatever that means.…
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Poltava, Ukraine Part 2: A Guided Tour of Poltava and its Famous People and Battles
My second day in Poltava was also eventful. I had in mind to see a few museums and possibly seit in a cafe to wile away the day. I’d already seen the monuments dedicated to the soldiers, Kozaks, and city memorial the day before, including the ubiquitous statue of Taras Shevchenko. In a museum mood,…
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Poltava, Ukraine Part 1: Language Learning and Water Nymphs
I had heard about Poltava from a few folks. It was the site of an important Ukrainian battle (the Battle of Poltava) and that it was one of the few remaining cities that still spoke and preserved the Ukrainian language and heritage. Not only that, the age-old pagan festival of Ivana Kupala would be held…
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Kharkiv, Ukraine: Easter Horses
Ukraine is a devoutly Christian country, mostly Orthodox but Catholic as well. Depending on your faith, you can attend any number of church services. Now, I’m not a very church-going guy on most occasions but, as curiosity would strike me, I wanted to see what a Ukrainian Easter service looked and felt like. There was…
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Symska Women and Ukrainian Dating Agencies: The Student Who Wouldn’t Speak
After a couple of months teaching English in Ukraine, I learned a bit more about the country and its people. In general, teachers can tell within a few classes who their strong students are and those who need a little more encouragement. Well, in one class I had three Natashas, three Katerinas (often spelt Yekaterina),…