Europe Trip 2016 ~ Ukraine (Kiev for 1 week), Greece (Athens for 1 week), Ukraine (Chernivtsi for 4 days)

This blog was originally going to be just the one week of Kiev but the three hours I'd scheduled to write the entry proved incapable to use for that purpose. The week I spent in Greece I barely slept, let alone had time to ponder my thoughts and travels in my blog. Upon returning from Greece my previous plans were pushed forward abruptly leaving me again without time to do anything but barely catch a ride to the next location.

NOW.... I finally have three hours, to myself, with wifi, and my computer, and a power outlet, and I'm half awake (which at this point is a bonus).

I'll do what I can to condense, yet not leave out exciting parts of what has been a crazy whirlwind of September.

Kiev first :)  My new friend, Melissa, whom I met in Prague when she accompanied a friend of mine from India to come dancing with me, flew to Kiev to visit! I absolutely love it when friends fly to me and I can play tour guide in a new city. Melissa is so much fun and full of life and verve it is a treat to dance and sing our way down the streets together. I invited other Ukrainian friends of mine to join us in Kiev and two of them got to come and experience the dynamic energy of Melissa and Ronda together!! lol

Before anyone joined us thought, Melissa and I visited a sculpture garden and tore the place apart with our laughter, enthusiasm, and creativity! Picking just a couple of pictures was really really hard!

That day was magical and fun beyond compare. We partied the whole night long and didn't even know it until it was daylight when we opened the door outside! Those are the best nights :)

One evening we went to the opera, The Barber of Seville. They sang it in Ukrainian without subtitles in English so even though I know the story, it wasn't really fun. Still, it was an absolute delight to go with all my friends!

Then we got to go sightseeing in the Motherland Statue. I'd been inside before but hadn't been all the way to the top! Turns out, you have to get in a harness and climb up crazy ladders and through tiny manholes and clip and unclip like you're rock climbing up a mountain! It was awesome!!!!

Obligatory Vibram picture :) before I climb down into the tunnel.

Literally got to stick my head entirely out of the top of the statue! At the top of KIEV!

We also spent a day goofing off around a mall, playing air hockey, ping pong, getting a Dr. Fish treatment, experiencing a bus ride local style, and the world's deepest subway station. It was all in a all a very very full week! One very memorable note that put a damper on the high spirits was while we waited to get on the bus. Melissa was sitting on my lap and we were looking away from the side my purse was on. Even though it was zipped, a young gypsy kid took my wallet and got on a bus. Now this story would have probably ended poorly almost any other time as everything about me, my money and my identity were in my wallet. However, a Ukrainian lady sitting on the bench just a pillar away watched the kid take the wallet and when we didn't do anything, she asked us to check. We saw my wallet was missing and my Ukrainian friend Anton stopped the bus, the lady identified the gypsy child and my wallet was returned with just a few dollars missing that had paid for the bus. What struck me about this was that the lady was so kind to first speak up to us, and then to become involved and get on the bus to help us identify the kid. Then how the packed bus wasn't upset at us for holding them up, especially since it was obvious Melissa and I were foreigners. Everyone was very helpful, kind and patient, bus driver included. Afterward I found out the locals had encouraged Anton to take the kid out and "teach him a lesson" even though he didn't. Outside of this one experience (and even as a part of this experience), I have had nothing but the best of times with the people in Ukraine. No matter the city, the occupation, the circumstances, the language barrier, I've had overwhelming love shown to me here and I am so grateful! <3<3<3

After Melissa left, Anton and I and another friend I hadn't met yet hung out in Kiev. I introduced Anton to bowling and for the first time in my life I can remember I actually won a game of bowling!!

We also went to see the symphony play Beethoven 9 and went zip lining across the Dneiper River!!

Kiev was truly a week of feeling alive, whether through joy, fear, agony, or inspiration. It flew by and I didn't hardly realize it as I boarded the plane to Greece, that it was over.

Athens was waiting for me though. Adding another country to my list :) I've now been to Athens. Plans were to go further abroad a bit but sickness ruled the household for most of the week unfortunately. Despite coughs, colds, and a bunch of kleenex, a good time was had. The food in Athens is incredible. Most of those who spend much time with me know I eat "like a bird". But I gorged myself in Athens. I couldn't believe how much I ate and drank. Wow!! The city fit me well that way. Also, because dinner time starts around 9. If you get to a restaurant at 9p.m. there's a good chance you'll be the first there and it will up as the night continues. Now that is a schedule I can thrive on for sure!

Trying all the different kinds of Baklava!!!!!  None of them were bad lol  ;-)

Calamari cooked to perfection.

Eating authentic gyros in Greece for the first time. YUM

Unbelievable meal and this picture doesn't even have all the food that was served. I ate enough in one week in Athens to last me for a month haha!!!

I did go sightseeing one day when it wasn't raining and had enough energy. Here are a few of the pictures of the Acropolis.

Panorama of Athens with the Acropolis on the right.

Posing at an entrance.

An amphitheater (Roman I'm told), just outside the Acropolis. Looks like there was going to be an all guitar rehearsal or concert but I didn't stay .

Athens seems like a dream. It flew by so fast I remember it but it almost doesn't seem real. So many wonderful days and nights despite being sick. I'll never ever forget my first trip to Greece (Yes, I'm assuming there will be more) !!!  <3<3<3

At the end of the week in Greece I learned I needed to go to Chernivtsi Ukraine faster than planned by a day. Lucky for me I have the most amazing Ukrainian sister :) and she packed a bag for me and brought my violin to me in Kiev. After spending the day trying to book me train tickets, bus tickets, blabla car rides, and every other form of transportation other than flying for me while I spent the day flying from Greece, I ended up being shown wonderful hospitality by another Ukrainian family because nothing was available. I still remember that night/day and I'll never forget it (drinks all night/morning)! Not sure if I should hope it to be once in a life time or not haha!!  Since I couldn't get to Chernivtsi the day I needed to I lost one recording day, but when I arrived, the people were kind and flexible and we easily recorded two demos in 8 hours and had a fabulous time doing so. My quick trip to Chernivtsi was so delightful and even though I only packed for 2 days and ended up staying four so I didn't have enough clothes and the weather is getting cold so they're not warm enough, I still had such fun. I didn't go sightseeing except for a couple of hours to the University that is an UNESCO site. The people made the trip! Recording, video editing, and just enjoying laughing over bad English and Russian was a good time to have for all :)

I planned to stay in Chernivtsi even longer so I could see the town a bit, but plans have changed again :) Finally, after a year hiatus, I've been offered a job on a cruise ship. It's only a one week contract (the shortest ever in my career), but I'll take it! A new company and a new agent and a new musical partner to start a new journey! Now I travel fast back to Kiev, Malyn, Kiev, and off to NYC to catch the ship. Afterwards I will try to write another entry of my time onboard :)  My plans now are to return to Ukraine after the cruise. Yes, it's almost like I enjoy it here ;-) But who knows what will actually happen so just keep reading and enjoy the adventure along with me! 

Europe Trip 2016 ~ Ukraine revisited (life in Malyn)

Now I'm back in Ukraine. I do like it here. Albeit, I'm staying in a tiny town called Malyn, about and hour and a half from the outskirts of Kiev. 

This welcome sign sums it up well. Welcome to the thriving metropolis that is Malyn.

Obviously not my photo, but the best I could find since I've failed to take a picture as such of the bustling main road through town. This photo looks toward the city center. It hasn't gotten any busier since 2008 either.

The city center...aka....town square.

Needless to say, I don't get to the Kiev much. But it is refreshing here. The forest is literally right out the door.

Looking out the kitchen window toward the woods.

And I work out to T25 in the forest 6 days a week! Killed the last double workout of month 1 today!

Pre workout selfie. Made sure to get a bit of my Vibrams in there :)

Panorama of my view while I'm trying to keep the sweat out of my eyes 8-/

My Workout Tree. Under this tree is a great shady place to workout during the day.

Looking up to the sky collapsed after my double workout!!

Now that I've worked out for and hour and stretched for an hour I'm back to happy and showing off the bottoms of my Vibrams again :)

There is also a nice lake and a dam just a ten minute walk down the road. You can watch beautiful sunsets while providing delicious dinner for mosquitoes.

Enjoy my filter happiness and love of my camera :)

Dynamic Art

Cross Process color

Expressive

The water was mesmerizing with hues of orange and pink and purple!

Really enjoying the cross process color filter on my camera that creates so many blues and pinks.

I get to practice every day and eat tasty home cooked food and study Russian and Ukrainian with lots of practice because my Ukrainian momma doesn't speak English.

That's right! I'm ready to scarf down this cake made from scratch right now!!

Fried zucchini with traditional cream. Love <3

Ukrainian specialty dish called Borsch. It's a beet root soup with carrots and chicken here. Oh was it super duper tasty. Ate it everyday for almost a week!!!

Those pastries on the right in the bowl, called Rogaliki, are my absolute favorite thing. I sometimes accidentally eat them for an entire meal or two.

It's idyllic in many ways. 

There are downsides as there always are in life. The other day the water randomly shut off with no warning. I was instantly transported back to India and my stomach turned into knots and my stress level skyrocketed. There was no one to call and no way to know when life could continue. This is semi normal here.

Another down side for me is the lack of activities. This is a tiny town so the biggest thing to do is go swimming in the lake in the evening. There's no music concerts to attend, no dances to go to, no movies to sit through, no impressive churches to tour, no sports activities to participate in, no social life whatsoever. For me, it's ok for a short time, but not long term such as my life is now.

There is still no job, no contract offer. I wait and pursue and wait some more. Phone calls, emails, internet searches for other people to contact are my daily life as time continues to pass and no jobs surface. 

Recorded two different demos here in Malyn. One with just a pianist, the wonderful Nataliia, and the other with a fellow violinist. Enjoy watching them!

I'm very thankful that while I'm reaching the very last cents in my bank account and soon will no longer have the luxury to keep waiting, I have a wonderful Ukraine family where I feel at home and loved. 

Europe Trip 2016 ~ Prague revisited

Last time I wrote I had traveled to Prague for an indefinite time. Through a friend and a website called HelpX, I worked for my room and board doing minor house construction, mostly involving painting, as that is my area of expertise as far as construction goes. It was high school the last time I lived through a construction zone. I'd forgotten how dirty and inconvenient and unhealthy and miserable and you get the idea, it is. Even though after the first few days I moved from the main construction floor to an upstairs attic loft, the dust was everywhere coating the food I ate, the clothes I wore, the bed I slept in and the air I breathed. My body noticed and started complaining. My sinuses seized up and I was tired all the time and my lungs complained when I would go to work and eat and bath in the main work zone. In the picture below, the one wall and ceiling used to be pink. All the paint had to be scraped off the concrete by hand.

The one selfie I took. Usually I didn't dare bring out my phone for the amount of dust and paint scrapings everywhere. You can see how clouded my safety goggles are and my hands even though I had been wearing gloves. My skin looked like the pictures of an elderly desert leader whose every wrinkle is pronounced and his skin looks drier than a reptiles.

But this was my view every night. I enjoyed it immensely. After work I would just stand at the window and gaze out over the house lights and if I was lucky, watch the sunset. 

And for my troubles, I have a little longer lasting memory...

Nasty fall. Not much blood but a lot of bruising and quite the scar.

Trying to heal.

This year in August in Prague might have well had been November. It rained 90%-95% of the days and was well below comfortable summer temperatures consistently. I was pulling out my fleece lined leggings, my warmest sweaters and using them for bed clothes under two layers of heavy blankets. With the rain and the cold, the aching body and lack of energy, and living a half hour outside the city, busking was a thing of the past in the beautiful Old Town Square.

Time went by and as I felt the desire to move on someplace else, an opportunity arrived in my mailbox. It was a potential job notice for an odd piano trio group. Usually a piano trio has a piano, violin, and cello. This email was asking for two violins and piano. I had just recorded with a pianist in Ukraine and I knew a violinist I'd also played with who was now in Ukraine awaiting future contracts. I called them up and we made plans. It was time for me to return to Kiev. I bought a ticket, packed my bags, and flew out withing a matter of a few days.

Before I left Prague, there was a highlight my last week. Besides the friendship in the house I was working, which truly was great and wonderful, my fellow dance teacher from India and a new friend I hadn't met yet, visit me just to go dancing! Unfortunately Prague is not a big blues dance scene and I'm not a Lindy hopper. So we ended up touring the city in the day and dancing with our host in our own private house party in the evenings and into the night. It was blissful. It was the respite I needed from the manual labor I'd been doing. By respite, I don't mean break, just difference of activities :)  Playing tour guide all day and dancer all night is no joke for the weary minded! I thoroughly loved it and Prague shown in it's glory for several beautiful sunny days so I could wax eloquent and share the gorgeous streets with my friends. I even got one last chance to busk under the night sky in the magical space of Old Town Square.

Thank you Melissa for the artsy photo and your support and appreciation of my music!

A surprisingly good Absinthe shot featuring rhubarb and wasabi (neither of which I am particularly fans of) and peppered cotton candy. The drink comes in a light bulb. Unique barely describes it.

By far and away the best mocha me and Melissa have ever had. Seriously, the bar is super way high now which means I've truly enjoyed a great mocha and also means I'll be mostly disappointed from here on out.

I think this store front sums it up well. Thanks Prague for telling it like it is.

The best restaurant I ate at in Prague, Lehka Hlava. It was a vegetarian restaurant and also had a menu for "breatharians". Had to google that one.

The two awesome friends who made my last week in Prague splendid and delightful, delicious and delovely above all wishings and wantings. I love you both so much!

Now I'm back in Ukraine. Living literally next to the forest, and a lake. Practicing every day, working out to Insanity and recovering from my Prague adventures. I'll share some stories and pictures of Ukraine again soon because then I'll have more adventures in more places to share :) It's a secret for now, so you'll just have to wait!

Europe Trip 2016 ~ Krakow

Well, I don't think I quite experienced Krakow the normal tourist way although I tried.

I stayed at a hostel just outside the "garden" square downtown where I could walk to everything. It was a lovely location. However, there was a world wide event the week I was there called World Youth Days and a person you may have heard of was coming to make a talk or something (I'm not sure what the purpose of the visit was), but yes, the Pope came to town. You could hardly walk the streets day or night. The grassy yards were covered in large and small groups of "kids" praying, waiting, learning from nuns or bishops, goofing off, etc. The restaurants were packed with tourists and groups from around the world and clergy alike. It was an experience for sure.

I still managed a few tourist things though :)

I love climbing towers. It's one of the few things I will spend money on as a tourist; to go as high in the sky as possible while still "connected" to the ground. I climbed two towers in Krakow. In the first, I enjoyed how small the stairways were. Well, I enjoyed their artistic value. My back didn't enjoy the size as much.

It took some creativity to figure out a good pose in such a small space!
Thank you to Richard Callicrate for this fabulous photo :)

Looking out over a main courtyard with a famous cathedral (this may be the one the Pope speaks from), bazaar and many many restaurants.

A beautiful rainbow on the wooden floor and a bit of advertising for Vibram of which I wish I was receiving renumeration....

The days were beautiful and the flowers were brightly colored. Enjoyed the weather immensely!

One of the highlights of Krakow is the Wawel Castle. I took the flower picture above in the inner courtyard before I descended into the Dragon's Den. Legend has it, "the frightening monster appeared during the reign of King Krakus (lat. Gracchus). The dragon required weekly offerings of cattle, if not, the humans would have been devoured instead. In the hope of killing the dragon, Krakus called on his two sons, Lech and Krakus II. They could not, however, defeat the creature by hand, so they came up with a trick. They fed him a calf skin stuffed with smoldering sulfur causing his fiery death. Then the brothers argued about who deserves the honor for slaying the dragon. The older brother killed the younger brother Grakch (Krakus), and told that the dragon killed him. When he became king, his secret was revealed, and he got expelled from the country. The city was named in recognition of the brave and innocent Krakus." Thank you Wikipedia.

Start of the Dragon's Den

Found the Dragon trying to devour the sun! But he FAILED. The sun withstood his angry temper and shone so all could see the ugliness of his true dragon self.

Krakow was lovely truly, and I enjoyed my time in the city and along the river although I was quite happy to leave the "masses" lol.

Catching a rest on the river in the sunshine.

There really were dancing nuns everywhere. It was a first for me to see nuns dancing in the hot summer heat in full garb and the audience joining in. Have to say it's one of the stranger things I have seen so far traveling Europe, and that's saying something!

The city was driving me mad from the crowds so I took to the countryside the last days of my stay. Enjoyed long walks along the river and through forested countryside and extremely diverse neighborhoods. Sometimes it felt I was walking through different shows on HGTV, but it felt weird to take pictures of peoples houses so you'll just have to imagine the stark contrasts of small village cottage homes across the street from modern marvels!! 

Stopped for some water and juice and there just happened to be a solo swing in the yard so I'm not sure if it was on private property, but I perched myself on the swing anyway and rested my feet :-)  

A bike/hike trail along the river.

I really did enjoy Poland, the small part I saw. I need to return, visit friends, see Auschwitz (which was closed for the festival surrounding the Pope), go to Warsaw, and find a time less crowded to sight see but not during winter :)  

Now I am back in Prague. Living and "working" here waiting my time to get a music gig. Putting all my painting and house construction expertise and experience to good use. Can't say it's a bad city to "squat" in for a time although I haven't been into the city much since returning as I've been fully occupied with working on the house and applying for gigs. In my spare time I've started working out again (trying for the umpteenth time), which has been great. So far my knee has held up, which has not been the case for the past year. I'm wearing a basic knee brace so I can push hard through T25 and I'm loving every minute! 

Here's hoping the next blog entry I write includes some memories of living in Prague and news of my next destination where I'll be working for money and not just room and board. Cheers everyone!