Monday - A finished report

So, to finish with The Carpathians.

Sunday was also amazing. We went to this bouldering area with this funny Ukrainian tour guide who spoke Ukrainian as fast as I speak English. He took us under giant rocks and let us explore a bit on our own - literally, I could of spent a week just exploring this one location, and the time here past all too quickly. In fact, that seemed to be the moto for this weekend - to little time and too much to see.

From there we headed to the Carparthian markets - literally full of wool, wood, and beads. I couldn't resist the socks - beautiful wool socks.

Our driver continued to surprise us on the 6 hour drive back to Ostroh, taking us to a dinner spot that reminded me so much of BC and the bike trips. It proved a great time to reflect on an unforgettable trip - a chance to say good-bye to the mountains!

Now back to the last week - after our return, we had a day of wicked Eco-Fashion show planning. I got to facilitate, and our group got to try the planning wheel. Legitimately, I feel like that thing is fool proof - our planning was the best it has ever been. This could be acquitted to a number of things, but secretly I give the credit to the sacred wheel.

Wednesday was a non-existent work day, so I tagged along with Marty and Yula to put together ancient pottery bowls with a witty old man. They have, by far, the best work placement. This man tells them stories, and they drink tea while putting together or sorting puzzles of old pottery in a small, dusty, warm room. Ending the day at three, we went to the thrift store with John to find Halloween costumes. Ukrainians don't have this and don't really know what to think about it. Our Ukrainians wanted to dress up and partake in the full festivities. John, Marty, and I played it easy deciding to wear togas and Yulapicked out a dress to make an Indian custume.

Friday Ostroh's disco club was planning to have a Halloween Party. Friday was also the day that we learned that Ukraine would be quarantined and all schools would be shut down for two weeks because of swine flu. Literally, within hours all of Ostroh's student population had cleared out and everyone was wearing masks in protection of this politically accentuated swine flu scare. Everything was canceled, and we went into the weekend a littler worried, and surprised. over the last couple of days we've gotten a greater perspective of what Western Ukraine is calling their biggest pandemic in 50 years. Schools have been closed, people are advised to wear masks, and told to stay inside and eat garlic and drink vodka. As of today, no one in Ostroh has even gotten swine flu and the number of deaths so far seem at a relative minimum. In the many eyes it seems a bit politically charged, with the upcoming election, but we are all still being careful.

Until then, group activities will keep us occupied because the community is currently hidden away in their houses. We are staying active and being cautious. In my opinion it's pretty interesting to be around something that's totally changing and effecting a community, while I well know that if a similar situation happened in Canada, the precautions would be approached differently. But Ukraine is very different from home.

lots of love,

ellen