Closer to the Equator for Christmas

In the midst of another pretty brutal winter (‘biggest snow in over 130 years’), my friend Larissa and I started talking about places where things don’t ‘go to sleep for the winter’ (e.g. anywhere near the equator) and the allure of such places. 

This got me thinking about proximity to the equator & the importance of being latitude aware.  Mapping the places I’ve lived, I see a concerning pattern:

•      80s in Arizona (33.5° N latitude)
•      90s in Northern California (37.8° N)
•      00s in Chicago (41.8° N)
•      Currently in Kiev (50.5° N)

Fortunately our holiday plans kicked off in Marco Island, Florida (25.9° N - yippee!) to spend Christmas with my family. 

The proximity to the equator did not disappoint.  We enjoyed balmy weather for pool & beach time 

And who says you need a white Christmas in order for it to feel festive?!

We built a holiday message with clam shells…..

Even Santa & his elf roamed the beach on Christmas day……

Additionally, being back in the States allowed us to indulge in many of the things we miss….

Beautiful, even out-of-season, berries……

Fountain soda & Chipotle….

Californian wines…..

(with a generous Florida pour!)

And one Logan & I seriously miss – the joys of Amazon Prime!

But most importantly, the fun time with family

Cooking together….

Playing games & doing puzzles together……

(thanks to Aunt Jen for passing the puzzle fever!)

Assembling Christmas (or, I guess, New Years) cards….

Just plain old screwing around….

(Bed hopping was quite popular until Xavier's jump fell short - poor younger sisters!)

Alas, the week came to an end too quickly.  With heavy hearts and even heavier bags, we packed up and are flying cross-country to Tahoe for New Years.

(Yes – we were once again ‘those people’ shifting stuff from bag to bag in line to hit 50lbs)

Here’s hoping your travels this holiday take you closer to the equator, to fun times with friends & family – or ideally to both!

(and of course, Merry Christmas!)

Going out with a bang

Happy Holidays!  (Going back in time a bit here.....)

Pre-holiday, end of year is always busy.  The 2 weeks prior to vacation in Kiev were no different – although with some local flair

Mall madness: pretty typical – holiday decor, a Santa to take pictures with....

The local touch is the type of stores.  My favorite example – the ‘store’ which is really more of a closet with a woman demonstrating ironing products.  

The funny part is people actually stopped & intently watch!

School Performances: Our school had its first Winter Performance thanks to an Austrian friend who spearheaded a Christmas concert.  

The entertaining flair was the Peter Yarrow assembly (YES!  The guy from Peter, Paul & Mary)…..He was in town & came promoting his anti-bullying message.  A valuable mission for sure – but I’d suggest Ukraine has some lower hanging fruit to deal with before bullying takes priority

Winter Wonderland: Yes, we have been in the ‘White Christmas spirit’ for most of the month.  The road to our house is fairly steep & narrow even when snow-free.  Now requires  snow tires, 4WD and two hands on the wheel.  

The local excitement (the kids rejoiced) was the school bus calling 3 times in the past week to say they wouldn’t make it up the hill! 

Cookie decorating: We frosted cookies at home, we brought in ‘naked’ cupcakes to decorate at school.  All the regular sugar-high fun.  

The entertaining part was realizing that most kids here – being non-American – do not have experience with canned frosting, food coloring & sprinkles.  Kids in Xavier’s 2^nd grade class went decorations hog wild, dumping food coloring on top of the cupcakes, mixing bowls of only food coloring etc.

Holiday Parties: We got together with friends – but my favorite new event (I’m hoping becomes a tradition) was Logan joining forces with 4 other guys to hold a ‘moms day’ where the guys took the kids all day while we got our nails done…..then they made a fancy dinner for us.  The ‘international part’ was the outfit for one of the dads…..

.....and the European (or is it man?) timeline....  

(the time our final course was served)

Cultural Events: We saw the Nutcracker Ballet, Wind in the Willows play & Logan & I topped it off with a Marilyn Manson concert…..

My favorite local flair was by far the outfits at the Marilyn concert.  ‘Goth’ style surely felt tame compared to what I’d expect to see at home, but compared to the typically Ukrainian Barbie inspired style it was noteworthy.  

Airport fun & cut amenities:  Our suitcases have elevated to the importance of a household pet.... 

(don’t worry – it may look like only 4 – but there are several empty ones nested inside)

The kids have become pros at airport down time (thanks Apple!)

And like the rest of the world, times are tough, amenities are getting cut – on Ukraine International Airlines you have to pay for all drinks (other than coffee/tea)

The local flair, however, is that a 500ml local beer (1.5 Euros) costs less than a 250ml soda (2 Euros)  

(I guess they want to ensure we all travel merrily)

Here’s to finding the entertaining in this entertaining time of year.

Happy holidays!

Overly Silver Lining

Recently a friend who lives here read my blog & commented that my descriptions 'almost made her jealous of what a fab place Kiev is to live'.  This made me worried I've not been reporting an objective picture.  So I took off the rose colored glasses & here is what I found:


Fargo - not Chicago:
For a good 6 months before moving here, I compared the weather here to Chicago.  The 2 were pretty similar - so I assessed we were on par climate-wise.

However, since then Kiev has experienced 'unprecedented cold' (last year) & 'significant early snow' (this year) making it seem more like Fargo.

Beware of moving to a city where no historical averages are available on weather.com


Questionable Quality:
This past summer our school spent some $1MM+ on renovations.  Added a floor to a building, expanded another & re-faced the entire school with fancy tile. 

(the new entrance)

 About 2 months post completion....Pop!....Off fell a tile!

(construction company was rushed back in to fix & assess others!)

Electricity levels are so variable, we have 3 giant surge protectors built into our house and even still lightbulb replacement is a weekly activity.  

This outlet goes so far as to acknowledge the level is "ABOUT 220v"....

And walking around town, it is more surprising to find a perfect stairwell than not.

The steps to our cellar are so uneven we call them our 'drunk test'.  No more wine from the cellar if you can't navigate them.

(The 3 peanut butters are the same size - note the difference in height remaining above the jars on each stair.  The depths of the stairs vary too)

Questionable Style:
OK so style is clearly subjective - but, you just see way more decor here that makes you wonder.  A wall hanging at my salon....

And their business is all about appearances!

Very Questionable Politics:

OK, so Ukraine is not the only country to struggle with corruption....but it's not doing so hot on that front.  Recently the American Chamber of Commerce published its 'Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency'.  Ukraine ranked 144th out of 176 - scoring 26 of a possible 100 points.  

We all crossed our fingers that the recent election would help shift the country toward a more European approach.  But unfortunately, it appears things will remain as they have been.  

A small few at the very top creating self-serving legislation to keep themselves & their inner circle very rich.

BUT, try as I might, I cannot help but point out some of the flip side....

Fashion First: 

Despite our Fargo like conditions, we get to enjoy catwalk like fashion.  The stiletto boots & skirts do NOT go away just because there is a little snow...

(pencil heels hidden by all that fur)

The people watching makes getting out in this weather a treat!

Scrappy:

I do enjoy seeing how people just get it done around here.....rolling some tires across the road & down the street on a hand cart

Delivering pizza via the Metro

(Yes - that says "Papa John's" in cyrillic)

Riding the bus without a $0.25 token

So while we may not be in paradise exactly, we get loads of entertainment & funny surprises along the way.

After all, you need loads of snow to make snow furniture....

(look mom - even a cup holder!)

Here's to finding the fun in your day.