Swimming In The Black Sea…

Today started like any day should, with a swim in the Black Sea.  Well, I didn’t swim.  It was way too cold for me, but Yuri, Sara and Adam thought it sounded like a great idea.  BBRRRRRRR!!!!!!

The beaches around Sevastopol are mostly pebbles or rocks, but we did find a small slip of more sand like texture for this swimming adventure.  The Black Sea is beautiful and much more turquoise in color than the Pacific Ocean.  I was so excited to have water everywhere.  If it had not been so chilly I would have enjoyed even more time near the water.  And I also realized that I am not really into residing in a land locked city for the long term.  The Peace Corps made the choice for me regarding Lugansk, but after my Peace Corps term is over I get to decide.  And I will be ready for more water in my life.

    

Sara looked smokin’ hot after changing into her beach attire.  Love it!!!

    

And in they go.  Yickes! 

    

And out they come…

    

The afternoon had us finding our new apartment for the weekend and wandering through the city a bit.  It was wonderful to see a city so full of sun and spring.  It will be another month or so before Lugansk sees spring with any real earnest, so it was great to experience a bit of early spring.

    

Sevastopol is an absolute treasure…

    

Ever wondered what a group of PCV’s look like walking down the street after arriving for the weekend.  Yup, this is it!  Fun, right?  I love the look.

Andrea arranged for a great apartment for us!  I want this kitchen.  It was a great kitchen to cook in.  Of course, I needed all my gadgets and missed them, but it was fun to have a really nice kitchen for a few days.  The apartment was right in city center and we slept 13 PCV’s and one Ukrainian in it for two nights.  It was perfect.

    

Let the PCV snuggle fest begin.  I had not seen Simon since Swearing In in June, so the hugs ensued quickly.  It was so fun to see him and others that I seem to only get a glimpse of their lives through Facebook.  It was great to catch up and share our lives with each other.  The Peace Corps is a unique experience and a unique time in our lives…and the time we spend together is all about Peace Corps stories.  We all have a great together and get that what we are doing is seriously cool!!!