Another Trip To Kyiv & Some Great Fun…

Yup, this week I am headed to Kyiv again.  This time for the USAID/Peace Corps SPA Committee meeting.  The meeting was amazing and I had a blast.  I learned so much and am already looking forward to the next year on the committee.  In addition to the meeting I had two very memorable train trips.

Here is the entire SPA Committee gathered together after three very long days.

 
My trip to Kyiv included a surprise guest in my wagon.  I ran into Vova as Yuri and I were running onto the train in Lugansk.  No Yuri was not travelling with me, but he was delivering me to my train. Yuri always makes sure I am safely onboard and my luggage is stored.  So Vova and I spent a bit of time together…and he made a friend.  This adorable child and his mother was sharing Vova kupe cabin.

   

And then there was the return trip. And these lovely ladies.  I was happily settled into my berth and these three joined me.  I had a BLAST!  Meet Kayta, Nina and Tanya.  They are sisters and were traveling to Lugansk to spend the weekend with their brother.  And spoke NO English, but I had a great time practicing my Russian.  But then the wonderful food and vodka they brought with them was a great elixir.  There is nothing more perfect than three grandmothers with a water bottle filled with vodka on a train rolling across Ukraine.

   

Good memories for this trip!