Hello again.
Three years ago today, we woke up in our temporary Ukrainian home and packed up our suitcases for the last time. A few of us ceremoniously threw away our worn down, sweat ridden, and sometimes ripped concert dresses. I passed along my khakis that were never worn except for band occasions to a younger student who could get more use out of them. We ditched our travel sized toiletries to make our suitcases as light as possible.
Our final day in Ukraine was spent souvenir shopping from vendors along the streets of Kiev. I bought leather bracelets and scarves for Katie and me, a giant Kiev mug for Dad, and some handmade ornaments and nesting dolls for Mom, and a handmade pipe for Jered. (I saw a variety of knives and guns that I would have loved to get him, but I didn't want to go through that hassle in customs.)
We also went to see a WWII memorial. I don't have my journals, so I don't remember the name, but it was the site of major trenches that had been filled with bodies. It was heartbreaking.
We finished out our day as group at a little buffet style restaurant. The dark wood and style of the restaurant reminded me of vague memories from childhood. (I think it probably had to do with my cousins' house because they had lived in Germany for part of their lives, and it seemed like there were similarities to Ukrainian styles.) By this point, we were completely exhausted. (Sorry Whit- I had to.)
(I know- incredibly flattering footage of us all.)
Then we went our separate ways. Well, sort of. We had to be back to the hotel by dark, but we were on our own. So a few of us stopped by the market and picked up some goodies and headed back to the hotel for a long night of hanging out and playing cards. Our group had to leave for the airport at 3 in the morning for our flight, so we decided... wisely or foolishly (?) to stay up all night, rather than sleep, and then try to sleep on our flight.
(In our slap-happy, totally exhausted state of mind.)
So around 3 o'clock, we gathered around in various zombie-like stages, and loaded up the shuttles for the last time. I remember eating our sack lunches on the way to the airport. I also remember being totally miserable at the airport and wishing we had taken a nap. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting in line after line, we boarded, settled into our seats, and slept off and on through movies playing throughout the day. Alice and Wonderland is the only one I remember.
Many hours later, the pilot alerted us to the fact that we were entering the air around Chicago. Cheering filled the air, and we anxiously waited while we watched the countdown to landing. Once we landed: more cheering. We were home.
When we walked into the airport, we found a huge, winding line of people waiting to go through customs. I almost cried. Luckily, it turned out that the infinite line was for non-U.S. citizens. Our line went much more quickly. We shuffled through customs, and then on to baggage claim, and then up to meet our families.
It was only three weeks. Three weeks was nothing compared to some of the lengths of time I had spent away from my family while at college. This trip, however, was amazing, and exhausting, and life changing, and although it was filled with positive stress, it was still stressful. As I ran to hug my mom and sister, tears filled my eyes. Then, up walked my future husband. My excitement could not be withheld.
Thrilled as I was to see my family again, it was also time to say goodbye to many friends. Some of which I haven't seen since that day. If they happen to be reading this- I want you all to know that you forever impacted my life, and I will never forget the wonderful time we had in Ukraine together.
Well, there you have it. Just another little bit of our adventure in Ukraine. Maybe next year, I'll look up some more stories for you.
Talk to you later.
Aim
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