How can one day get better than the one before? My days here in Kyiv have been better and better and better.
I began the day with breakfast with Florin and after breakfast we went for coffee (big surprise!) and then to shop for souvenirs. He didn't want me to come down to say good-bye to him at the taxi so we parted in the lobby. I always miss him when he goes.
I spent part of the morning catching up on email and chatting with friends who had arrived home in Kyrgyzstan or Poland or Moldova. I had so much going on in my mind and heart that I needed to go to church to find some peace. I walked up to the Orthodox Church of St. Vladimir and visited each of the icons asking for blessings and peace of heart. It was helpful. In the church, I renewed my commitment to God's work wherever God sends me. I prayed for all the people I have met here, by name. I asked for the blessing of the saints who brought Christianity to this part of the world. I asked St. Pantelimon for healing of body, mind and heart. I asked Jesus on the Cross to help me to be willing to spend all that I am and for His people. I left the church renewed in spirit and at peace in my heart. The sadness I felt about leaving was healed - for a time.
I thought I would take a nap but then remembered things I wanted to do. I wanted to order a demo CD of Rosetta Stone Russian language to begin immediately to learn a language I will certainly need. I ordered a rainbow flag with a cross to send to Rostek for one of the groups that meets here in Kyiv.
Just when I was ready for a nap, I received a call on the house phone. Anna, our translator, whom I had met last year in Timisoara, called asking if I'd like to meet her. OF COURSE I'd like to meet her so I went right down at about 3:45. We went to a coffee shop next door and had a great visit until Rostek and Kostya arrived. Anna had to leave for an appointment so Rostek and Kostya took me on a walking tour of a part of the city I had not seen, mostly government buildings but one palace of Katharine the Second which is being restored. After we had walked around, we took a taxi to a wonderfully authentic Ukranian restaurant. I wouldn't let the guys ask me what I wanted. I told them to construct a dinner from beginning to end of good Ukrainian specialties. They did.
We drank most of a bottle of really good vodka, clinking our glasses over and over. We had bread with differently flavored butters, garlic and fish and plain. We also had a plate of pickled vegetables, cabbage and tomato and cucumbers and garlic. We had a Ukrainian specialty, pork fat with garlic. I know it sounds not so good but it is wonderful. We drank Kvass with our meal in between vodka.
then we had a plate of assorted varenyky which is like dumplings/ravioli filled with potatoes or meat or cheese. Then we had cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and meat. It was a wonderful meal, really Ukrainian and the atmosphere of the restaurant was perfect, simple yet good service and nice atmosphere.
But more than the meal was the conversation. It was open and intimate and a connection of hearts. I had already formed a strong bond with Rostek but Kostya had originally been involved to be interpreter/translator. Tonight he became a friend. This meal represented for me the best blessing I ever could have received on this trip.
They walked me back to the hotel and we hugged and kissed good-bye outside. I will never be the same.
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