The Outskirts of Lutsk with a Happily Homeless Band

Our 2 days in Rivne were wonderful: we were able to re-energize and even managed to visit a wonderful lady in a nearby village where I was offered amazing food yet again.  You just can't get food like this in the States.  The next morning we lugged our bags filled with orders from the Preps crew and found room on a bus going to Lutsk.  Our "layover" was to be quite awhile at the Lutsk bus station so while Trude went to retrieve sustenance for our travels I stayed by the stuff.  Dad's old guitar has been quite nice having on this trip and proved very handy at this very moment.  I was getting a bit fidgety for all of this sitting and decided it was time to play the ol' 6-string.  If you want Ukrainians to stare at you here are some tips: be American, speak English, wear glasses.  If you want them to REALLY stare at you do all of the above and play guitar while waiting at the bus station.  Trude got a real kick out of it :)

A little while later we met up with some more of Trude's homeless friends and realized our pile of luggage, supplies, and groceries were too much for a bus.  I felt like we were standing on Platform 9 3/4, all that was missing were a few owls.  So, we hired a taxi (my first time in a Mercedes - quite nice!) and finally made it to one of the places which I've been looking forward to seeing for years.  I've heard Trude tell stories of this family and of the farm here since I was a little kid.  I'm so happy to be here - I feel at home.  We are surrounded by rolling hills of wheat fields as far as the eye can see and if a sudden rain shower or lighting storm isn't looming in the distance or right overhead, the sunsets around here are second to none.  It reminds me of Northern Idaho or even Montana here where the sky seems ten times bigger, and the clouds over the hills let through rays of sun that light up the farmhouses scattered all around the country side.  This country is beautiful.

Trude and I, along with a visitor from Romania, took off for the weekend to be with some friends even farther north.  It was a long and arduous bus ride to get there but once we arrived at our friends' home, the warm greetings made it well worth the trip.  I talked a little bit with the boy of the house and we took turns pointing to our respective countries on the map, showing one another where we lived.  I was fed even better food this time and once again was commanded to "Eat! Eat! You've hardly eaten anything! Eat!"  (This happens at every meal, even if I've already stuffed myself full, mind you).  From here we ran to the bus station, escorted by two adorable little girls in bright pink dresses starkly contrasting the gray and gloom surrounding us.  They stood there with their mothers and all four waved goodbye as our bus pulled away and on to the next village.  More friends, another meal (Eat! Eat!), more "Hello's" and "Goodbye's", another bus or two, wait on the sidewalk alone for a taxi, another apartment.  Sunday came to a close and we finally could sleep again.

The next morning Dan took me to the University in Lutsk and gave me a quick tour.  Afterwards we met up with Trude and some others and finally found a place to get souvenirs!  We loaded up and then headed out for the bus station once more where there was just enough time for Karen and I to run into the supermarket for a few things.  Trude needed me to get some CD-Rs so Karen and I split ways.  I ran up to the second level in a mad frenzy to find these blank CDs.  I wandered through the isles and became desperate.  Not thinking, I spotted the first employee and walked over to ask for help.

"Do you have any blank CD's?" I asked him quickly.
Blank look, then wrinkled forehead.  "Aljojfsdy?"
Oh, boy.  Now I was stuck.  Pretty soon my helper was calling his associate over.  Then they both started to demonstrate one of there stereo systems for me.
"Is nice, eh?"  The taller one says to me.
"No no.  I need a CD - a blank CD."
"Yes, yes - CD!"  The shorter one opens another stereo, pulls out a CD, holds it in my face then puts it back in and presses play.  "Is nice?"
"I need a blank CD; CD-R?  Empty CD."  I say this while I make circular motions with my hands, like this would help.
Very thick accent:  "One moment."  The taller one grabs another coworker but he can't help me either.
I'm spinning on the spot scanning the store for some sign of blank CDs.  As I glance towards the door I notice that there is now a large crowd of employees circled up talking and smiling in pure amusement and excitement as they watch this poor helpless foreigner looking for blank CDs.
Once the fourth helper couldn't understand my request, he decided to call his girlfriend: "I call...my woooman.  She...very good English."
So I explained to this man's woman what I needed, "A blank CD, so I can burn-"
"Ok, ok!" she said.  I handed the phone back, but he already heard what I said.
"Oh! CD!? Ok, ok!  Here you go!"  He says as he walks me to the correct aisle and hands me a stack of CD-R's.  "Music!"  He said in a tone like 'Why didn't you say that in the first place?'
I laughed as I payed the cashier who also didn't understand a word I was saying.  As I walked out the door I waved goodbye to my audience of 15 clearly entertained employees standing in a row, all smiling from ear to ear as if they just watched a great comedy act.

I met up with Karen and we hurried off to the bus to catch it just in time.  We got settled as I told the story of what just happened, much to Trude's enjoyment, and headed back to the peaceful hills of the farm.