We can't be to and fro like this All our lives

An Account of a weekend of Valentine in Drohobych. . .

Despite what you all may be thinking, I really don't like to travel. That is I LOVE going to new places and seeing new things, but I hate the "getting there." When I can, I try and stay as comfortable as possible in my own surroundings. But, of course, the want to see new things and calling from friends and family will often push me out of said comfort zone aka my house or town and make me bite the bullet and do the actual "travelling."

This past weekend, was one of said trips when I ventured to visit Drohobych. To be honest, it's not that bad of a trip especially by Ukrainian standards. It takes approximately 1 hour or a bit more to get from my bus stop to the main bus station from where the buses to drohobych leave. Upon my arrival, I followed the directions I was given, bought a ticket from the 3rd cash register and loaded teh bus ignoring the place listed on my ticket and just picking, because no one really follows those listings anyway. Unfortunately, being a Friday nite the bus was packed. And so, when a man who had bought a ticket got on the bus and there were no seats left he made who ever was in his seat move. And so, boy and girl from the seats moved. Next comes teh two people in their seats who had to get up and move and consequently made me and the girl next to me move. I go up to the front where everyone assumes being that I don't speak ukrainian well, that I'm the one without the ticket. Not the case. I show them my ticket. And after saying sixteen times that I have seat 3 they agree with me; because they read my ticket. Only problem is girl in seat 3 is not having it and is not going to get out of my seat and keeps saying, well I have seat two and those boys are in my seat. After awhile and a lot of yelling on the part of the driver who was explaining that someone must be without a ticket. 3 girls get up in the back and get off teh bus because surprise surprise they don't have a ticket. I get the bad seat in the back because 3rd seat homie wont stand up and I don't want to cause a scene. As you can guess there was more than just me trying to figure it out becuase there were 3 people without tickets. Me, a girl, and surprise surprise my seat neighbor a 18 year old boy drenched in cologne with a penchant for falling asleep on my shoulder. This bus ride lasts another 2 hours. I get to Drohobych, taking the only marshrustka available to where linnea says I should, "look for a gaudy orange building." I don't see said building but the stop was teh end of the line. Luckily, upon getting out I saw what I thought was a gaudy orange building (good description). Linnea and I proceed to get groceries at the store where I almost knocked down the baggage drop cabinets trying to shove my backpack into it, an older lady yelled at linnea to move out of the way of teh cheese, and the homie at teh check out didn't understand when i asked for a plastic bag. Actually, the trip/weekend was good, it was just we had bad luck with weather and travelling. So, the next day after a stunning walk around town in the snow, seeing some old wooden churches that were fantastic and enjoying a tour of 6 sentences and time for me to ask questions in the church built in the 15th century; we headed to Truskavets, Linnea's other town. That bus ride was like getting to know people on a whole new level. We squeeeeeeezed in and stood in the front enjoying the many joys of a marshrutka so crowded someone on the outside has to shut the door. It's a little bit like zipping an overfull suitcase. Except we're people and it's oddly uncomfortable to be touched and squeezed against that many people you don't know. So, we took the another marshrut in town to what we thought was the mall, but what ended up being a supermarket with Everything a person from teh states could want. Hot chocolate in many different flavours, bulk grains, garlic powder and curry. (bonus find!) We returned to drohobych and went to a nice english pub and enjoyed some french fries. And spent a quiet evening at the house. In the end the trip was great. I still hate going on busses (the bus rides back were less eventful but still bus rides). But I think that the pay off for knowing that I'm using public transportation equals it out. I love trains (for teh most part) and I really love the trams and trolleys here in Lviv. These forms of public transport are easily my favourite. I'm hoping my years here will convert me to a person who will go on any transport in the states because I can stand anything.

In other news, I bought oregano at teh store in Truskavets and made a fantastic spicy italian soup tonite. The 8th grade class is going to interview me for some reason. Still teaching the 1st, 3rd and 7th form. Still am in desperate need of stickers. My students waver and I tihnk the school wants me to start doing some kind of English club for teachers or adults. we'll see. My counterpart has officially left teh school so I'm looking for a new one. AND other than that I read a lot last week. Am hoping to do the same this week and yes I'm still looking for books. The snow has forced me mostly indoors and I'm thinking about heading to center this week to pick up some yarn so I can crochet a baby blanket for some friends here who are having a baby in April. They have really welcomed me and I'm looking for a way to show my gratitude via baby present. I'm so excited for the melting season. . .

Missed the family and friends this week! Love you all and hugs!