Following a long but uneventful train ride from Kyiv, I arrived in Luhansk yesterday morning at 9:45 am. Olga Krsek, two of her students, and a V. Dahl EUNU French instructor and his son met me. It was nice to have a warm welcome and help with my luggage. I have set up my apartment and purchased some groceries. There is still more food and items I need to get.
Of course, there is much I need to learn and do, and this is all very intimidating. I still need internet, which I am currently using at a McDonald's. I rarely eat at these, but having access to internet is critical at this point, so I can keep in touch with family and friends back home.
My apartment is in an aging Soviet era high-rise. One's first impression of the outside, entryway and interior halls is a bit disconcerting, but my apartment itself is nice and comfortable enough. Rent is $390 a month or 3,000 Ukrainian hryvnia's. It is furnished and includes dishes and cooking ware. I'd like to get a few other items. A toaster would be nice, for example.
Due to the presence of heavy metals, I have been advised not to drink the tap water or cook with it, so I will have to keep a good supply of bottled water. What I have had since arriving is pretty good. I need to learn the Ukrainian & Russian words for plain water. Whenever I order it, I am asked if I want it "with gas" or "no gas."
My apartment overlooks the outdoor market. I want to explore it next week when it reopens. I need a few things. It seems to me that the market is the Ukrainian version of Walmart, K-Mart, etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment