My ‘hood

Here are a couple of pictures from my neighborhood yesterday:

This is pretty much what I’m dealing with until mid-to-late April, when things start growing again. Jealous??

Throwing off the winter-time blues

I’ve failed to write anything substantial for a while because I was either a.) finishing up the semester before the holidays and preparing to visit the US, b.) visiting home for the first time in more than 21 months, or 3.) taking an unexpectedly long time to readjust to life in Ukraine.

Of those, the last one has most surprised me.  I was expecting some major culture shock upon returning to the US.  But, honestly, the familiarity, time with my family/friends/girlfriend, and sheer level comfort of life in America made it very easy to jump right back in.  Returning to Ukraine was, unexpectedly, more shocking.  I think it’s safe to say I experienced the lowest of my “lows” since joining the Peace Corps.  After two weeks in-country, I’m only just now feeling upbeat and social.

I think I would describe my mood the last couple weeks as irritated.  Returning to Ukraine, sitting in the terminal in Paris and waiting for my connection to Kyiv, I just started feeling irritated by all things Ukraine.  I was irritated by the Ukrainian girls in front of me in the security line wearing their flashy, clearly fake designer clothes–probably the most impractical dress for air-travel ever judging by the amount of time it took them to clear security.  I was irritated by their shopping bags, which served more to broadcast the message “I went shopping in Paris!” than any practical travel purpose.  I was irritated by the in-flight meal of buttery rice, gray chicken, and a salad than consisted almost entirely of lettuce, especially in light of my trans-Atlantic Air France flight during which I dined on tortellini, aged cheese, and chocolate cake served with French red wine.  I was irritated by the drabness of the building in my neighborhood upon arriving home in Lutsk.  That’s generally how things were progressing.

Gas Wars

Hmm, long time between posts.  Just living up to the title, just living it up.

While I was visiting the US during the holidays, Russia decided to indefinitely discontinue gas deliveries to/through Ukraine.  It is a complex situation involving numerous geo-political, economic, and historical considerations.  However, I have created a graphic representation that should help even the layman completely comprehend this crisis:

Russia:

Belarus:

Ukraine:

That’s the best damn commentary you’re going to find regarding this particular dispute.  And don’t fret for me.  In a rare act of foresight and competency, the Ukrainian government actually anticipated this situation and (allegedly) has enough reserves  to provide heat to Ukrainians for months to come!