Change

So my blog has been left to sit for quite a while. Lately I just havn’t been feeling a strong pull to sit for hours at the internet café and communicate with people outside of ostroh. I’m not sure if I voiced that yet, but life has become pretty normal here.

However, as I am a person constantly in the need of change, my mind is constantly wandering to the massive move that is quickly coming our way!

Here are some highlights from the last week:

- 3 Interesting Educational Activity Days ( EAD) run by couples in our group. The first was on Forestry, the second on Environmental Education, and the third on Environmental Disease. I learned a lot and appreciated the information.

- We have been Ukrainian dancing pretty regularly in the past week, trying to learn this dance like a pro for our final farewell concert.

- Inna and I have been preparing for our EAD on Environmental health which is going to blow everyone’s mind.

- John and I got pretty turned around on a Sunday adventure, and ended up following a Ukrainian man we found in the middle of no where to a familiar location

- We had a sunny market day where you could get pomegranates!

- I have been collecting leaves for my fashion show dress, where I’ll say some information on burning leaves.

And many more interesting moments.

Today will be a day of work at the town Council. They recently gave us a grant and we actually have some work to do. The problem with it for me is there’s nothing for me to do – it involves a great deal of writing in Ukrainian. So I will spend most of the time working on our EAD powerpoint.

Hope all is well and enjoy your weekend!

Love,

Ellen

Ps. Han – call soon but we are ahead by 10 hours..

Another morning blog entry

I think I’m starting to fit in. This morning I was asked for directions once, and asked how to get a hold of the women in the post office. Both times I was rather shocked that these people would talk to ME in Ukrainian! Both time I answered something along the lines of “I’m from Canada” – but I can ask in two different ways.

The sites have also become normal. I can wak through crazy old cemeteries or into stores filled with foreign goods and not just gawk – more of an appreciation. It’s not weird to have giant castles outside my window!

Yesterday I went to a Catholic church, and I sure wished I could have had my camera! Picture a half filled sanctuary with little grannies in head scarves singing old church songs in Ukrainians and polish. The old dome shaped temple makes for an eerie echo coming at you from all angles, voices singing with their breathe flowing out in a staggered stream of steam. Ten minutes late, the pope finally appears. We have watched his solemn helpers put the hymn numbers on the wall and light candles. The pope speaks and sings his way through the opening prayer, glimpsing up in our direction whenever he has a chance. Ilsa, Yulia, Dominic and I sit together. Ilsa has black skin and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the first time this man has seen a women of different skin colour. The pope conducts his sermen in Polish. Dominic can only understand. We sit their in this freezing cold room, standing and sitting as signaled by the others in the room. I’m totally encapsulated by the scenery. A giant pulpet with a back drop of sculpted angels and prophets. On the top of the arched dome are words inscripted in Ukrainian. Circling the pews, hanging from the ceiling, is a sewn streamer of leaves. Grannies sit hunched over, singing off tune to the organ in the open room above. We decided to leave earlier, tired of sitting in silence without a clue of what is going on. We leave the sanctuary to burst of warm rainy air – I’ve never been in a church so cold. I’ve never been in a church like that.

I have to go now.

Love,

ellen

Checking in

I am sitting at home. I have just come back from an epic run in the country and taken a shower. I am feeling warm, energized, and very relaxed. A perfect time to write with a cup of tea.

I don’t even remember the last time I wrote. I’m not sure if I finished talking about the Carpathian Trip or what I have or have not said about our quarantine. So with that absence, let me tell you about this last week in Ostroh.

Monday was a day of rebellious ‘maskless’ chess playing and card games at the tea shop. Monday was a really odd day. It takes a little time to adjust to a deserted city speckled with the few adventures who dare to go outside, wearing masks. Then there are the Canadians who cannot help but venture into the cold, totally puzzled by the aspect of being required to stay in doors. The evening was spent at home with Svitlana, where we took it like a day off and watched episodes of an overly dramatic tv series.

Tuesday involved plenty more games of chess and lots of tea, rotating between Becca and my houses. We walked a lot too. During this quarantine I’ve found it interesting to see how our group splits up. Who we spend the most time with when it’s our choice and how we spend it.

Wednesday I woke up to Ostroh’s first snow storm. Not very much snow but dry and beautiful! I spent the afternoon at Sarah and Ilona’s house playing games with the hosts, Becca, and John. That evening John, Becca, and I played in the snow, and I came home soaking wet late with a ton of energy and feeling totally healthy.

Thursday, after talking to some amazing folks at the post office, Becca and I meandered our way to the tea shop and to John’s. The three of us explored in the rain before heading back to my apartment. Svitlana was there, baking up a storm, and informed us on the plans to have a bunch of folks over for dinner. Svitlana and I spent the rest of the evening getting this giant meal together – more like I helped with loose ends since Svitlana had already done just about everything. Svitlana is the most intense hostest. We’ve had people over a couple times and she just makes so much amazing food. It’s a shock after never prepping for people to come over. Instead, my invitation means that if we want food we’ll make it together and if not, we won’t have anything special. Anyways, the night was a good way to spend the quarantine. Marty and John orchestrated a poker game, and those who didn’t play poker played this crazy Ukrainian card game called Fool.

Today has been a great day. I did an old Biology test and decided I needed to steal some of Geoff’s homework. Then Becca and I decided to go running. She’s a hockey player and likes to be fit too – neither of us are though, so we did wind sprints, and went a long ways, and went swimming, and just wore ourselves out. I love running in the country around Ostroh because you easily step out of the life within the city – almost a step away from the minute routines we have.

Now I’m off to the post office to feed my internet addiction and download some more mock-exams/ send this letter. Tonight we’ll meet as a group and use our official 4 hours a day of outside time.

Lots of love and hope everyone is well,

Ellen

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

continued

Jenn forgot which is understandable since she's also and CWY and it probably short on time, so I'm back to writing about our trip.

Imagine we've' just arrived at a bridge at dusk. We are told we must exit the bus in order for it to make it up this next stretch. Together we trudge on, knowing well by now that Ukraine is full o many surprises. We follow this typical Ukrainian road up this mountain and in the hills. I feel somewhat like we are entering a scene from the Sound of Music. 15 minutes later, we arrive to a house, large for Ukraine, with a huge yard full of apple and walnut trees. There waits a family of Ukrainians to greet us.

By now I've gotten accustomed to being fed apon any arrival to a Ukrainian household. Still I don't properly prepare for it, so when we arrived to this home and family in the mountains who are prepared to feed all 20 of us, I'm full.

Aside: When I came here bright and early it was sunny and bright with the sun rising - now it's wet rainy 45 minutes later. I hope it will pass in 45 minutes.

Sunday we wake early only to learn that the time is changed. This turns out to be quite an amusing experience as the Ukrainians rush around speaking Ukraine and the Canadians look stumped to what is going on. Then Anton comes over and say go back to bed the time has changed.

In the meantime, John, Becca and I decide to trek down this mud cliff that Yulia has just come jumping out of. It ends up being a great way to wash up in the morning. We scale the cliff on the way back. Becca bails. John says I told you so.

Around 10:00 am 20 very different people head for a trek into the mountains. I'm in the equivalent of one of Geoff and my running outfits. Some people wear suede boots or little weird sport shoes. John is in shorts and a t-shirt. Ilsa has on 20 layers. For some this is their first hike! Russell, our supervisor, tells me it takes 45 minutes to get to the top. I'm picturing s sitting in this treed area in the rain, and ask if some of us can run it once and then do it again with everyone once we meet half way down. The guide/bus driver says no with a smile. I was about to be impressed.

All 20 of us plus our guide head up through people fields and onto this little trail laidened with stinging nettle. As John, in front of me, does a little cat dance and regrets wearing shorts, we climb upwards. By this time we are on a clear, abandoned logging road and take a break after hiking for 15 minutes. This is when a few of us decide to head off ahead and give 'er for the next 30 minutes. We steadily climb up for an hour - John, Nat and I run for a bit, then stop by this snow mound, sweating and wait for the group. Once we have gathered again by a trail that forks both ways, our guide tells us to have a break and won't tell us which way to continue. I'm satisfied with taking in the view from this point. The trees are in their glory - red, orange, yellow, and green. We are starting to see into the valley, and it's a bright and sunny fall day - spectacular. With a grin on his face, the guide tells us at the top of this hill lies a cross that the girls can make a wish on. Here's what you have to do - make your wish, run around the cross, kiss it, then kiss a boy and your wish will be granted. if you get their first, your wish will definitely be granted. Ukrainians love this stuff and take the lead at a run. I am in deep conversation with Marty, John, and Nat as we start to plan a trip in the mountains for this summer.

This part of the trail is breathtaking - mist floats through the forest of tall colourful trees - it a bit wet and mystical. I'm captured and choose to walk by myself for a bit. Near the end of this stretch I join with Yulia, Sam, Ilsa, and Yvone. At the top we can see an open field and a field of snow. It seems like spring up there - like spring skiing. Yula and I book it towards the snow. It's definitely wet corn snow and perfect for snow angels and sledding. Also a perfect way to cool off on a very warm fall day. This was the first of many snow ball fights as Yulia and I sat high up in the snow firing snow balls down on the crowd below. We both can't throw at all and even with the help of gravity, our hits we minimal - but so were those that hit us.

We carried on to the top - ahead were Marty, Nat, and John. a second later they had whipped off their shirts and were tumbling down this giant snow hill shirtless. Then they booked it down. This was pretty magical - we were up high enough that the view was spectacular, it was hot and sunny, the fall trees surrounded us below, we had hiked here and here were these boys I had grown to love rolling down a giant hill of snow - it was meant for a Sigur Ros video.

At the top of the ridge gave way to a panoramic view of mountain upon mountain - growing to the west. When you looked east, you saw a sea of clouds leading to a house and a cow ranch along the hillside. Southwest you saw mountains - it reminded me of being on top of Fat Dog. Northwest was a forest a bit higher where the trail continued. Everyone was opening their lunches and I thought this was the finale - beautiful. I was in luck, it continued.

After lunch in the sun, the majority of us continued on to see what was past the forest. Sarah and Ilsa stayed and I could see why. The rest of us scaled the ridge into the forest - moss covered, vast, beautiful. 15 minutes later, we came across a moss covered rock slide that rose upwards. As we headed in a line upwards the trees disappeared it got dry fast. Soon we were all scampering up big rocks to a view like no other. This was clearly the cherry on top of our trip. As Anton put it, you felt free!

We had some interesting discoveries on top: more snow, circular rock snowball forts ( like the beginning of an igloo made of rocks ), and an old BOMB! I don't know much about it, except it was a bomb and John picked it up with a big smile on his face and everyone else told him to lay it back down carefully with jitters going down their spine. it looked super old and was lying in the middle of one of these forts. John and Nat noticed this after standing on it for half an hour engrossed in snowball fights. We spent a while on the top before heading back down. I stayed at the back of the group with Russell and had my supervisor check-in which was pretty great.

When we got down to the ridge, Sam, Marty, Nat, and John were preparing to launch themselves down the snow field again. Russell and I watched. Then they did it again. I videoed this time. When they returned and watched the video they were full of energy and were debating going one last time. On a spontaneous whim, I said that I'd go if they went again - then Becca joined me. A second later we were rolling down this giant snowfield. As the Ukrainians would put it - we were being crazy canadians.

The way down way filled with discussion and we arrived an hour before dinner, sleepy, wet, in need of a shower, hungry, and truly satisfied.

After dinner, Sarah, Becca and I led "Crossing the Line". A very reflective, intensive group activity that we three anticipated doing the whole trip. It went really well and brought about a great deal of group and personal reflection. At the end, I felt so much more connected with the group.

Then it was Ukrainian Sauna time. The boys went first and the girls had 'true girl time' and hung out together as a whole for the first time since training camp. Together, around 10:30 pm we headed to the sauna. This was the best sauna experience I've ever had. Powered with wood from the forest, water from the stream and filled with girls that I was bounding with on such a deep level, despite cultural differences, made this the best sauna I'd ever had.

I'm going to stop now, and I'll finish later - there's still so much more to tell. It was a full weekend!

Love,

ellen

The mountains move people

Well hello!

This is going to be one of those quick blog posts so my folks know I'm still alive. For the first time in this program, I feel truly busy and I havn't had a good chunk of time to write in my blog. But now, I'll share some highlights of the last week.

We went to the Carpathian mountains! This was the most spectacular part of Ukraine I've seen so far. Rolling mountains like those found in Quebec with the best fall colours I've ever seen! We left early Saturday morning and drove for over six hours south. Everyone was awake by the time the ground started to rise up and down - I started to feel like I'd found home. And let me tell you, Nat and I chatted the whole way from that point on about how unbelievable a bike trip could potentially be through this area - perfect for touring!

On Saturday after our arrival we hiked to a waterfall. Our whole group had agreed earlier to be 'mountain folk' and all hiking adventures were mandatory. This was pretty sweet. At times I missed the solitude of being silent with a couple of . But for the most part I was proud of how everyone approached this hike and the others - I loved seeing the Ukrainians get dirty!

To the waterfall we followed the river and I Becca and John would have done anything to jump in at our lunch spot. After that we al packed into the bus with our 'one of a kind' tour guide/bus driver and headed to Bucklovel - the Westernized ski resort. It was cool to see the differences between this place and home, but one message was clear, this used to be a little family run resort that had been corporatized. We took the ski lift to the top as planned as dusk took over the sky - beautiful views. Then it was on to our family run B&B type lodging to settle in and start some team building activities.

I have to run to a skype date with Jenn.. I promise this story will continues!

Love,

Ellen

Evolution

Hello,

Today was our second major CAD, an event dedicated to cleaning the forest on the opposite side of Nittisean and the powerplant. This area, called the 'damba', is laidened with garbage from an entourage of Ukrainians who spend the warm months picnicking by the water's edge. After a warm evening spent by the fire at the Damba, our group decided during later planning that cleaning would be an appropriate project for an "eco-Leadership/Sustainability focused group".

Well, it rained all day. We found many pounds of garbage. We had a lot of time to think and let our minds wander. But we stopped early - unfortunately. A couple of us continued for a bit, but our day was cut short.

Later that afternoon we met to plan our next CAD. Instead, we spent the majority of our afternoon discussing the concept of group trust. It made me so thankful for the leadership given at Naramata. At the time, I was thinking that sometimes it's better for people to make you do check-ins and debriefing and let you learn why later on instead of the other way around, but that's a confusing conversation.

Around six we had the opportunity to greet the prime minister of Ukraine into the Ostroh Academy. She's quite the woman and well supported in western Ukraine. She wears her hair in a braided wringlet around her head. It was a pretty huge event for the Ukrainians, especially Svitlana, which made waiting in the rain for an hour more enjoyable. I guess it doesn't matter where you are in the world, a good politician has to be late.

This evening I got into quite the chat with Svitlana about group dynamics, personalities, communities, cultures, and life both little and small. It got me looking at evolution in a whole new context.

All in all, it was a rad rainy day. It made me think about this experience in so many ways. And help me to realize the opportunity we have is so unique. We are getting to see Ukrainian culture in a way that's just one step closure to the people who live their. We aren't just crazy tourists who visit the castle. We get to eat like Kings and Queens with Ukrainian families. All in all, a rad day.