Time for yet another update.....here are some lessons we have learned....from the pen of my husband.....

1. The "man-bag" is in. Tassels and buckles vary with the individual.
2. Groceries are u-pack. However they should be called u-pack-fast because otherwise you have to dig your frozen pizza out from the next person's booze.
3. Wedding rings are worn on the right hand and when they are on the left they symbolize divorce. I have never heard of anyone going out to buy a matching set of "we just got divorced" rings.
4. Wedding photos traditionally involve a number of shots (both still and video) up the bride's dress!
5. Kwas is not root beer! Kwas is a traditional Ukrainian soda which they claim is made of yeast and bacteria. When preparing to drink it keep in mind that Vegemite is a yeast extract. These two snacks are closely related. People here will tell you that it tastes just like root beer. I have since decided that I will not be partaking in any root beer while I am here. Pass the milk please I need to wash down the Kwas.
6. Said to go nicely with Kwas is a small jelly type square which resembles cubes of lard. After trying Kwas I was not brave enough for the Lard Krispie Squares. Fool me once...
7. Ukrainian bread and Canadian pummel stones have much in common. However, if you put the bread in the oven with some butter and then add jam it is actually quite good.
8. Although they do not speak English the locals are very keen to take you on an interpretive walk. Expect a great deal of nodding and smiling and very little information. Still makes for a very nice outing.
9. If you are looking to make your next million come to Ukraine and sell fitted sheets and rectangle pillow cases. Fitted sheets do not exist and the pillow cases are square-ish (the pillows are not) and designed to have the opening go over the long side of the pillow.
10. To get to the Christian bookstore you walk into the local fabric shop, walk past all the samples, shelves, cashiers and into the back storage room. There in a room the size of a large elevator you will find a nice man with mullet selling Christian books and paraphernalia.

Just to add....I took one smell of the Kwas and decided to pass my cup along to someone else to drink for me. It smelled very strongly like yeast, although it did look like Coke. I was not brave enough to try it. I am very proud of Peter for drinking half of a cup of it. We captured the moment on video.

Every day there are new things to be learned...it's very fasinating. I cannot wait to go home to scrapbook it all!! We have 2 weeks done here already...only 2 more weeks before vacation...not that I am counting...but I am looking forward to that fitted bed sheet!