Don't worry about me..

 I have my public transportation etiquette almost down that is - don't smile at people or look at people for that matter, and walk with purpose. If you are lost - don't look it. I thought the whole smiling thing was an exaggeration but really, people are very stone faced on the street here and especially on the metro. I have found (like I thought I would) that in more intimate settings these people are very kind and loving. They have lived under some pretty rough conditions for such a long time I wonder if that contributes to their public demeanors..

I came down with something yesterday so I have spent the day home sleeping a ton and taking care of my self - I can't really afford to be sick here!! I am feeling better but man the temperature drop we are experiencing this week (by monday high will be around 0 degrees) makes me a little bit nervous! I have been here one whole week now and goodness it feels like a whole lot longer. I am in charge of 12 teachers and three schools, it has been challenging getting everyones schedules in order and making sure each school has the appropriate resources.. It has been a lot of work! Each week to come should be a little bit easier once everyone has some experience and are more familiar with the teaching method.. I am so excited for that! 

I am so happy I am here. It has been kind of tough but I love it! I love living in a little two room Ukrainian apartment and walking everrrrywhere I go. I love the public transportation which I think I have become a miniature pro at. I live closest to the Red line, pretty close to where it connects to the Blue and Green. Each school I take a different line to get to and not to mention different buses. I have become more comfortable with the feeling of not knowing where I am because I know that people around me are willing to help - all I have to do is point to my stop and they point me in the right direction.

One thing that really impresses me about Ukraine is what happens on the buses. When you board a bus and take your seat, all you do is take out your money and pass it to the person in the seat in front of you. If you need change, the change will make it back to you. I don't know I noticed how awesome this is until I realized that would never happen at home! People don't trust each other like that, especially on public transport! I love taking the bus because if somebody behind me taps my shoulder I know they are handing me their money and if there is more than the usual 2.5 grivna I turn around and put up one finger- they nod and I know they need change back so I just pass it along and hold up one finger to the person in front of me, after making it to the front the appropriate change comes back to me and I give it to the owner. Yeaahhh.. Ukraine is pretty cool.