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.
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)
(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.
Great post, Merilee! I am also guilty of not always showing the darker side of life here on my blog.
ReplyDeleteAt least it's not boring. When we lived in Germany last year, try as I might, I could just not blog. Life was just too clean and predictable. It was easy. But I had no real objection to leaving it behind.
ReplyDeleteI love the bus picture, pity there isn't a like button :)