It is cold here, but not nearly as bitterly cold as North Dakota. The weather has been in the thirties, damp, and cloudy-rather dreary, but not unbearable. I am surprised the weather has not been significantly colder. I had been expecting some brutally cold weather, but it hasn't been bad. Luhansk is at 48.38 degrees latitude, which is almost the same latitude as Granville, North Dakota (48.25). Incidentally, Kansas City is at 39.11 degrees latitude. While we were living in Granville, temperatures of twenty below zero or greater were not uncommon. I can remember periods when the mercury did not get above zero for days at a time. Hopefully, the weather here will not be anything like North Dakota, particularly since I have to walk to the university.
I spent some time in the market this morning. It was quite crowded and busy, so kept my wallet in an inside pocket of my coat; pickpocketing can be a problem in crowded public areas such as the market. The market is a fascinating place. It is a busy open air venue despite the cold temperatures. One can get anything there: clothes, dishes, appliances, household goods, watches, electronics, meat, produce, etc. It's like a huge outdoor Walmart, but much more interesting.
Since I don't yet have access to internet at home, I have been going to McDonald's, which offers free wireless. The place is always packed. Apparently it is immensely popular. Even in the U.S., I have never seen a McDonald's as busy as this one, never.
American consumer culture has found a hungry and enthusiastic audience here in Ukraine. Silhouetted against aging stark Soviet high rises are slick billboards for M & Ms, Oreos, and Coca-Cola. It's quite a contrast.
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