This is a very lonesome place. Even with my husband with me. We just don't fit in here. I feel like everyone can tell that we don't belong.
That's not true though. Every now and then someone will start speaking to us. As we were walking to the orphanage, a truck stopped and asked us for directions (I think!) this morning. I had to tell him "I don't understand" in my very best Russian.
We had lunch at a cute restaurant down the street from our apartment yesterday. I thought maybe I could deciper something from the menu. Not. The only word I could pick out was fries. We felt sorry for our waitress. We think they drew straws to see who would have to wait on us.
Good thing we had our phone on us and a friend on the end of the line who speaks Russian. He was able to order chicken kabobs and a garden salad for us. It was delicious!
We did a little grocery shopping, too. That's fun when you can't speak the language. It involves a lot of pointing and gesturing. We have to make a sign for them to write down the price for us or show us their calculator so we can pay.
The shops are interesting. There are little grocery stores or mini-markets on almost every block. But, if you want meat you have to go to the meat store. Same with bread, go to the bread store. Same with fruits and veggies. Actually, you can get a great selection of fruits and veggies on the street by the orphanage. We gave one tomato guy 6 grivna, less than a dollar, and he put 5 big tomatoes in a bag for us! How's that for a bargain?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I remember playing charades in the grocery store while we were in Kazakhstan. LOL! It is certainly interesting. I didn't do well at trying to figure things out on my own... I thought I bought yogurt and it ended up being cream cheese. but hey, it was good on the bread. :)
ReplyDeleteHope things get easier for ya. I wouldn't worry about not fitting in around there. It will give you new perspective on foriegn tourists when you encounter them back here on US soil.
ah, I remember it well! Try buying spaghetti sauce :) :) I loved their veggies! and their shaslik (kabobs) Hope the paperwork is getting squared away!
ReplyDeleteOh the memories! We went to a pizza place and just pointed at whatever random thing we could find on the menu. We had a lot of interesting, but good types of pizza. Yulia took some zucchini, yellow squash, and tomatoes and cut them up. She drizzled sunflower oil and sprinkled a little salt and pepper on them. Wow! It was so good!! The produce there is so good!
ReplyDeleteIt can get lonesome. I was so happy to hear English (all around me) again! Are you going to go back home during the 10 day wait or are you staying?
we are in the same "place" not location mind you, but spot or feeling! In Quito, Ecuador. yesterday I had to remind myself that this was the place of my dreams for two years! Savor it. PLUS, now we understand a small portion of what our children will feel like in our country. The Longing for "our food", our language, our favorite spot on the couch etc. When Gracie has an "off" day I am praying that I will remember what it feels like to be homesick in another country. Its totally different than homesick in America.
ReplyDelete