In addition to our guided tour of the city, our self-guided tour of the city, and learning to do my laundry by hand, I would say I had a pretty good week. For one thing, this week the language seemed to get a little better for me. For some reason the vocabulary from last week’s lessons were especially difficult and I was really quite relieved to talk to Patrick and find out he is finding the language as difficult as I am. I can’t explain why this week was better, but at this point I am not going to knock it…I’ll take the small victory. Speaking of language related small victories, on Wednesday I made a decision to start speaking Russian in the house. Let me explain, up until now, I have spoken mostly words to get my point across. A lot of hand gestures, a lot of “da” and “nyet”, and more than a little dictionary use. I would attempt sentences here and there, but nothing too substantial. But, on Wednesday, I decided to only speak in Russian sentences using only the words I already know. I must sound like a child, but I figure it is the only way I can move to the next step (speaking in paragraphs). For the last couple of days our breakfast conversation has consisted of me telling her when I woke up, got out of bed, showered, dressed, and ate my breakfast. Then we talk about the current and forecasted weather, time and date, and what time I plan to come home for dinner (since that changes every day). I am sure she is already sick of hearing my routine, but it’s the only way I will remember and she’s being a great sport about it.
On Tuesday our group met with the Chernigov’s League of Professional Women who are a well- established organization that offers help to anyone who asks for it from domestic abuse cases to people who want to start their own businesses. They also offer several language classes 5 nights a week where they even have a current Peace Corps volunteer teaching. They invited us to come to visit any of the classes at any time. Patrick told me he was going Thursday, so I joined him. We went to 2 different classes, but what a fun experience. I wound up in an advanced English class where I was able to have real and meaningful conversation with the students (7 of them). They let me speak for 15 minutes or so and then they started asking me questions and I did the same. I stayed for about 90 minutes and had a good enough time that I will plan to go back again. One of the reasons I went to check out the class is that it is looking more and more like I will have to teach at least one English class during my time here. I am constantly reminded that once I get to my permanent site in June, I will be by myself and will need to find an interpreter to help with my business meetings. Unfortunately, I cannot pay for that service. So what can I do that someone might trade for? I can teach/tutor English. Having never done that before, I figured I should see how someone else does it.
On Thursday afternoon we had another meeting with the people from the Department of Strategic Planning and Tourism and they asked what our impressions were of their city so far. I was able to tell them how much I really like this city and the public bus system, but how frustrating it is that there is no bus route map (only word of mouth and trial and error) and no English language tourism information. I reminded them that since Euro 2012 (big soccer tournament like World Cup being co-hosted next year by Ukraine) will be bringing visitors from all over the world, they really should consider putting together a package for potential or realized visitors who want to know what this city offers. They said they appreciated the feedback.
Lastly, Friday we were invited to attend a celebration of 20 years of Ukrainian independence at the local theatre. The 2 hour show featured dancers, poets, singers, acrobats, speeches, and musicians of all ages, but mostly kids. At one point they even recognized their “dobrovoletz Korpusa Mira” (Peace Corps volunteer) friends. We all stood up and got clapped at. It was a pretty remarkable show with some outstandingly talented performers.
That is pretty much it for the week so far. We have no grand plans for tomorrow, but I am already looking forward to next week which includes our first trip to Kiev, hoping it will be as good as this one.
On Tuesday our group met with the Chernigov’s League of Professional Women who are a well- established organization that offers help to anyone who asks for it from domestic abuse cases to people who want to start their own businesses. They also offer several language classes 5 nights a week where they even have a current Peace Corps volunteer teaching. They invited us to come to visit any of the classes at any time. Patrick told me he was going Thursday, so I joined him. We went to 2 different classes, but what a fun experience. I wound up in an advanced English class where I was able to have real and meaningful conversation with the students (7 of them). They let me speak for 15 minutes or so and then they started asking me questions and I did the same. I stayed for about 90 minutes and had a good enough time that I will plan to go back again. One of the reasons I went to check out the class is that it is looking more and more like I will have to teach at least one English class during my time here. I am constantly reminded that once I get to my permanent site in June, I will be by myself and will need to find an interpreter to help with my business meetings. Unfortunately, I cannot pay for that service. So what can I do that someone might trade for? I can teach/tutor English. Having never done that before, I figured I should see how someone else does it.
On Thursday afternoon we had another meeting with the people from the Department of Strategic Planning and Tourism and they asked what our impressions were of their city so far. I was able to tell them how much I really like this city and the public bus system, but how frustrating it is that there is no bus route map (only word of mouth and trial and error) and no English language tourism information. I reminded them that since Euro 2012 (big soccer tournament like World Cup being co-hosted next year by Ukraine) will be bringing visitors from all over the world, they really should consider putting together a package for potential or realized visitors who want to know what this city offers. They said they appreciated the feedback.
Lastly, Friday we were invited to attend a celebration of 20 years of Ukrainian independence at the local theatre. The 2 hour show featured dancers, poets, singers, acrobats, speeches, and musicians of all ages, but mostly kids. At one point they even recognized their “dobrovoletz Korpusa Mira” (Peace Corps volunteer) friends. We all stood up and got clapped at. It was a pretty remarkable show with some outstandingly talented performers.
That is pretty much it for the week so far. We have no grand plans for tomorrow, but I am already looking forward to next week which includes our first trip to Kiev, hoping it will be as good as this one.
Pics from the independence celebration:
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