Crimea was so beautiful; I had such a great time with my LCF (language teacher from training, Zhenya) and her family. I took a train at 6 in the morning and got there by 11. It sucked. There’s no ac, that’s expected, but I did expect that the window in my pluscart would open, but no. I was sweating my but off and my pluscart neighbor had a 2 yr old crying and jumping around the whole time. When I got in to Simferopol one of the first things I did was buy a fan to try to alleviate the heat some. Zhenya and her son met me at the train station and then we went to her house where she lives with her parents. Her dad was amazing, he showed me around their garden and told me old war stories of the navy. I got the gist of what he told me but I was lost on most of the details. We had a huge lunch and just sat and talked for hours. Her mom is an English teacher and has a big personality, we got along great. That evening I and we went out to a disc- teka to dance the night away. They had a weird show with 2 large women ballerinas; we even got pulled into to dance with them.
The next morning we attempted to wake up early, failed, but still early enough to make our trip worthwhile. We went to Yalta and saw the Livadia palace, the post WWII house where Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt met to organize the world. We took an elevator through and down the mountain to beaches on the black sea. It was beautiful, the water next to the mountains and all the trees. After we were done exploring Yalta we went to Sevastopol to stay with her kuma (godparent). The drive along the coastline was breathtaking, even more so because the sun was setting.
Sunday in Sevastopol was a big Navy holiday. Flags and sailors were everywhere. Zhenya’s son sported a sailor outfit too, complete with hat. They had a “war reenactment” with a parade of their battle ships on the water. The city was packed, it was like being at Disney world. After the boat procession, we went to Hersones (not sure of the sp), incredible Greek ruins on cliffs by the sea. We hiked around and went swimming, although changing in our bathing suits was and venture too. We took turns going into bushes to change and when I went, a man was coming near, so I haphazardly threw my cloths back on and acted like I was taking pictures. So much fun. Later that day I met up with Andrea! She lives in Sevastopol and we went for gelato and just walked around and talked until she had to go home.we walked by a boat club called “White People Club,” no joke. Apparently it’s not racist, you’re just supposed to wear only white when you go there, but still… Zhenya dropped her son off at her Kuma’s and we walked around some more touristy places and shops. We also found earrings that her dad was going to pierce our ears with the next day. We stopped at a comic themed café and had a drink. Zhenya flirted with the waiter and got me a sweet menu as a souvenir =) We went back to Simferopol late that evening on a marshutka and stood for the whole 2 hours, in the stairs. I got my ankle stuck once when the driver opened the door. Funny, but definitely embarrassing.
Monday morning Zhenya’s dad wanted to pierce our ears first thing. He got out what he called Turkish needles, vodka, and stale bread. The vodka was used to sterilize the needles and earrings. The bread was to catch the needle behind our ears. He first rubbed our ears really hard between his fingers and then pushed the needle through the ear. Mine hardly bled, but Zhenya’s bled a lot. Don’t worry, we got it on video. It was then time for her class, she is teaching business English for tourism industry. I went to help out and to talk to the young women in English. It was fun, everyone had lots of questions for me as they always do and I hoped I was somewhat helpful. Zhenya was happy that I got one of the shier girls that never talks to speak up and answer questions. In the evening we went to close by village and met another LCF there who gave us a tour of his village’s landmarks. We first saw an old Muslim castle/compound and then when up to the mountains where priests built a church and living quarters within the mountain side. So beautiful. Lots of old graves and overgrown buildings.
At breakfast before I left the next day, Zhenya’s dad sat me down. Told me how he was so happy to have met me and that he hopes I’ll always remember him, but in case I forget he made me a ring. He makes his own knives so he used some left over material and forged a ring. It’s very simple, but unique and I wear it all the time now. Whenever I call Zhenya now I always say hi to him. It was a awesome trip, it helps me adjust to living here the more close friends I make.
