Long time coming.

Hello!

Once again, I have gone too long without posting.  I guess things that were once new and exciting are not commonplace and thus not blog worthy.  Since I last posted, I have visited another neighboring town (Zoogress – named after the huge power plant that is located in the center of the small town – zoning laws anyone?) and spoke to a group of students there.  It was fun – I always enjoy talking to the English students.  They are always so excited to speak what little English they know.  I especially like going to the smaller towns because the culture seems to be stronger and the kids are more excited to meet a foreigner.  My class in Zoogress is a perfect example of this.  I spoke to a group of around 35 kids for a couple hours.  They had an endless supply of questions about America and about me and were super excited to hear what I have to say.  Everything they know about Americans is based on the movies or TV shows they have seen.  lol  I am constantly asked what famous people I know and when I respond that I don't know any famous people they tend not to believe me.  After the class was over, the kids gave me a medieval mace as a thank you for visiting them.  Then I proceeded to sign autographs for 20 min.  lol  It was cute and hilarious at the same time.  I also spoke to a group of about 100 kids at a tech school in my town.  The questions are always so random that there is no way to prepare.   What music do you listen to? Did you own a dog? What kind of car did you drive?  How did you become so awesome?   Ok maybe they didn't ask that last question but I am sure they were thinking it  ;–).  Just kidding, it is kinda hard not to feel like a superstar sometime.  Most people don't understand why some random tall bearded American is in their community especially since volunteerism is a foreign concept.  It is an excellent opportunity to open some minds, explain a little about the American culture/views, and dispel some of the incorrect stereotypes about America.  Other than the visits with schools and institutes, I have been working on my project (to start a volunteer center) and I have started a website in my city to organize all of the activities, clubs, and events that are available to the community.  Nobody seems to know what is available in the community so I am going to organize the information on a central location.  Hopefully this will make people more active in their community.  Wish me luck.  I am no webmaster so we shall see. 

My trip to Egypt starts tomorrow!  Check out where I will be staying: http://www.pyramisaegypt.com/pyramisabluelaguna/location.asp.  I can't wait to lay out on the beach, explore some cities/towns, and check out some of the sites.  This is going to be awesome.  We will also be spending a couple days in Cairo to check out some of the famous sites and I will take an overnight train to get back to the hotel in Hurgada.  I will take tons of photos so stay tuned. 

I got a new site mate!  That means that I will no longer be the only American in my city!  My new site mate (Danielle) will be an English teacher in on the the high schools in town.  She is cool and laid back just like all Peace Corps volunteers.  We will get along just fine.  I have been trying to show her around a bit and introduce her to some of my friends to help her adjust.  It is interesting to have another American's perspective on my city.  Not to mention the ability to speak ENGLISH!  I love Russian but there is nothing quite like one's native tongue.  I would have killed for someone to show me around and introduce me to people when I arrived.  When I got here, I did not know anyone, I spoke horrible Russian, and had to learn everything through trial and error (tons of errors) lol  Some funny errors too.  I am better off because of it though. 

Last week, I went to a Donetsk Football Game "Shakhtar" – it was very interesting.  Shakhtar plays in a new stadium (Donbass Arena) with according to some of the Football magazine, it is the nicest stadium in Europe.  I believe it.  The stadium was beautiful and was filled with over 50,000 screaming fans.  That was one hell of a cultural experience.  I was surprised with how well organized everything was and how passionate the Ukrainians were about the game.  Shakhtar won 2-0 and will go on to play Italy in February which is a game I plan on attending.  I will post some photos from that evening.  It was great fun. 

Today was St Nicholas day so I decided to go to church.  I know, not what you expected – I am not the churchy type.  It is an important part of the culture here so I figured it was important for me to observe it, and I am glad that I did.  So I woke up early today to catch the trolleybus which went off without a hitch until the bus broke down in the middle of an intersection.  I could not help but laugh because it broke down at the exact time I thought, "Damn, things are going smoothly and I will get there early".  So, I had to trek through slushy snow and deep puddles and ask people how to get to the church.  I got there eventually though a bit late and entered the church as quietly as possible.  It is almost impossible to enter any kind of gathering unnoticed when you are as tall as I am, have a beard, and look foreign.  :–)  Sometimes I get the double take.  Always cracks me up.  The church was fun.  My friend is the Priest (I met him on the Crim camping trip) and his wife is my Russian tutor.  Their son dressed up as St Nicholas and handed out some presents.  Everyone had to sing in front of everyone in order to receive a present.  lol  This included me.  I sang "Jingle Bells" in front of everyone.  I warned them but they didn't listen.  Lets just say it is a Christmas miracle that nobody's ears bled.  Anywho, my friends are such good people.  I have dinner with their family at least once a week and have become friends with their sons.  I took lots of photos which I will post later.  Very pleasant experience. 

Conor's Noteworthy Noteables:

1.  Egypt.  Need I say more?

2.  Meeting more and more people.  It is sooo difficult to remember all the names and faces. 

3.  Observed an English Olympiad. Interesting stuff

4.  Went to a huge concert at the "Pioneer House"  - Dancing, music, singing etc...   Very interesting.

5.  Got some letters from the states.  Thanks all.  That was very nice. 

  Well, I am tired.  Goodnight.  I hope all is well in the States.  I will post again when I get back from Egypt.  Happy holidays everyone!!!

Some of the kids from Zoogress

Dombass Arena

View from my seat at Dombass Arena

Town Concert

Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Some of my friends/coworkers