BE - I too this photo at an outdoor book market in Paris. Through 2020, many have learned about being rather than doing as we've been in and out of quarantine, shutdowns, and lockdowns.  Exploring and adventure doesn't always mean traveling somewhere, join me as I blog and explore!

lauren's musings

Blogging + exploring

Ukraine

July 30, 2013

My First Week here.

Well, there’s a lot to catch up on (and i’ll do it in a couple consecutive posts).  It’s amazing how life can get so busy when you are in a new place.  I was told that “your problems will follow you wherever you go” and that’s completely true.  In America I constantly want to be busy and onto the next best thing, and that’s totally continued here.

The journey here was simple, I was in familiar airports, and no delays.  Denis, who picked me up from the airport was right on the other end to greet me, and we made it to the apartment only getting turned around a little.  The whole first evening I spent unpacking and went to bed at a normal time, and woke up with no jet-lag! 🙂

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Mom and dad took me to chili’s at the airport for one final bacon cheeseburger!

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All the bags arrived! (i don’t pack THAT much, remember I had 4 10-man tents too!)

There were a couple moments of surrealism, on days 2/3.  I was on Instagram waiting for a friend to return from the bathroom and I noticed that some American friends were literally a block away eating pizza.  I was encouraged by hearing the story of how they felt called to Ukraine, what they are doing, and gleaning from every tip about life in this country I could get!

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So thankful for 2 short visits with Byron & Emily before they left Kiev to go back to Western Ukraine.

My third day here I was able to spend the day touring with American and Ukrainian friends from Orphan camp last year, and my home church.  Again, this was super-surreal, to the point that it seemed fake.  I’m not sure if it was the healthiest thing that quickly. More than anything, my mind was spinning as I attempted to discover that my worlds had so quickly collided.  Fortunately, I’m used to this, but it is difficult when you go from one place to another to have that taste of home, and community.  Which is something I’m sure will come here… eventually.

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The team from Kharkov Orphan Camp. Old & New friends from 2 countries.

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Nicole & I pretend to be japanese?

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The dynamic duo : Julia & Natalii

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Quick, lets all hug John!

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Cole & I were able to find our first international geocache in Kiev!

After the day with the American team, I had one day to prepare for my first trip backpacking with complete strangers this amazing country…

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