When I stepped foot in Ukraine two words overcame me.
C-U-L-T-U-R-E S-H-O-C-K!
Never did I expect to encounter this in Europe. America, yes, but Eastern Europe…NO. By now, I should be used to bouncing around from culture to culture. Ha, but boy, did I ever have a rude awakening. I was caught off guard for sure. Men's hair slicked back with hair jel and designer jeans. Women sporting dresses and stilletos. Designer jeans? Stilletos? What are those? Ha, for me, I'm just happy if I have a clean shirt to wear.
As we drove to our hostel, there were no horns honking. The cars did not really make any noise for that matter. Everyone drove in their respective lanes. The roads…oh yes the roads were quite nice! People were not staring uncontrolably. Quite the contrary one might say. Then there was the issue of time. Our driver was all about promptness, something we have not been used to for 9 months.
Dream Hostel, Kiev
We finally appraoched our hostel and soon ventured up the stairs to a rather small, quaint place. Beautiful floors, a living room with a sectional, comfy COACH, a flat screen T.V., a kitchen, and more. For the first time in months, I had the most comfortable matress where I slept like a baby nestled in her auntie's arms (that's for my new nephew Jaxon…and of course Brielle, Linkin and Kain). Did I mention the steaming, HOT, waterfall type shower? I was acutally fully clean for the first time in 8 months.
All of these things played into the schocking sensation, but what really caused me to begin to go into cardiac arrest was the style. By style, I mean the clothes that the women were wearing.
Enter Mcdonald's, pre-shower after 3 days of travel. I'm looking pretty classy, if I do say so myself. I have on my black tights, oversized white T, green high top chuck's, and a band of cloth to control my dirt infested hair.
An American classic fast food resturant where sweats and t-shirts are natrual, right? Nope, not in Kiev. Stilletos, see-through dresses and shirts, skirts where booties were hanging out, designer clothes…I think you get my drift. Model type people everywhere! Did I just enter a runway show? I thought we were at McDonald's! Ahhhh, I'm not in third world territory anymore that's for sure!
Well, it is safe to say that the culture shock has worn off and I am simply in love with this place, Lugansk, Ukriane. From living in an apartment to helping with English classes, I feel like i'm home. Our American contacts are amazing and make the transition into Europe all the better!
To be honest, I'm glad that the major shock hit two months before returning to the States where I could be surrounded by others who were experiencing the same thing. So now, it should not be too bad when we return home at the end of July.
Oh yeah, McDonald's was just what the stomach ordered!
Russia just across the river…fun on Memorial day, Ukrainian style
