I am so very much a tourist. As much as I don't normally enjoy the mainstream-stuff of the world[hence why I am in UKRAINE!]I have been found wandering the more tourist-attractive parts of this lovely country. Namely: the chocolate factory! I ventured out[in a relatively small group] the first time and TOTALLY fell in love. That's right--I'm in love...with chocolate.
[photo to follow]
Second time, with my lovely companion Devin, I was completely love-drunk[and not to mention FREZZING!. Now, when I say love-drunk, I do not mean that I was even more in love with this place... I mean that I loved this place enough to wander the streets[because I suck at remembering where things are] in the freezing cold. Now, remember that I am from Canada--so when I'm telling you that it's cold outside...IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!! There were moments during out trek that I thought I was going to lose vital parts of my body.
Everyone told me, prior to venturing out here, that it was gonna be cold. "Pfft!" I thought. I'm from Fort McMurray--I can handle anything! Well, ignorant little me forgot to factor in the part where I don't have my warm truck--or super thick Canada-made gloves, toque, or boots. Needless to say, I am stupid. Although, Ukraine has had a record-breaking cold winter. It has NEVER been this cold in winter, ever...Now, I haven't yet decided if that makes me feel more stupidly-unprepared or tough. Either way--I'm FREAKING COLD! Send me warm prayers, please! This Canadian did NOT leave Canada to be colder than I was at home.
Food here is still weird--and usually NASTY. Have I ever mentioned the chicken feet in my soup? That one was a party. But I do love my McDonald's! Haha! I don't think I've ever been so grateful for fastfood in my entire life.
Also, pizza. Although it is usually pretty odd pizza, it's freaking delicious none the less. The first time[ya, I've eaten there more than once!] I ate at Solo Pizza, I had the fajita pizza.
[Note how ridiculously attractive I am here...]
Looks pretty tasty, right? Well--I was convinced my tastebuds had evaporated by the time I was done eating! Holy cow! That was one SPICY pizza! But still sooooo good! Janelle and Mike split a RIDICULOUSLY large pizza.
Despite the appearance given by it's abnormal size, it's not that hard to chow down. Because the crust is SO thin, it's like eating half of it's actual size. 
Sometimes, when I eat out, I wonder if it'll be one of the last meals I enjoy. Sometimes I wonder if it'll be the last meal I ever eat. Wandering out in the cold here is just dangerous. And not to mention the INSANE drivers! Here, pedestrians have ZERO right of way. The sidewalks are often used for driving; one rarely ever buckles up; and sometimes you wonder if riding in a "mashrutca" might be the last thing you ever do.
The amount of people they cram into these little 'mini-vans' is just unreal!
Yesterday, the brave souls that we are, Devin and I venture out to find Saint Sofia & Saint Michael's cathedrals. We had taken a wrong turn and got a tidly bit lost[I have a super-natural talent at getting lost].I guess it showed that we were lost, because a moderately attractive man came up to us and said something. At first, I wasn't paying attention because I figured "well, he's speaking Russian--so I should just tune him out." Then I realized I could understand what he was saying!! "Do you need help?" the young chaplain asks. "YES!" we replied, a bit confused--but excited none the less. Anyways, this sweet man told us how to get there--and he wasn't tricking us into anything [which was SUCH a relief!]. We found the way to the Cathedrals just fine! Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera with me. Stupid--I know. But when I go back[in SPRING when it's WARM and SUNNY!] I'll bring it for sure!
Okay, this blog is exceeding my regular length of blogs. So that's it--for now!
And for the love of all that is pure and holy--RECYCLE!
xo LarissaMormon
