Hi. I got up about 6 and checked email then showered and headed out just before 7 to trek to the metro. I met my friend, Dmitri, at Vokzalna station and we walked over to St. George church. It's a beautiful building about 10 years old, build in 75 days. Liturgy was beautiful and the choir magnificent. Dmitri was the cantor and began the service in his deep bass voice. When he was singing with the choir, I could distinguish his voice. He also chanted the reading from St. Paul (called Pavel here). Since people stand for the entire liturgy, there's a lot of moving around. Throughout the service, people buy candles at the shop and visit their favorite icons for prayers and to light candles. "Featured" icons are behind glass and people touch their foreheads and lips to the glass then wipe it down with a cloth left for the purpose. About a third of the congregation received communion. We were in church from 8:30 to 11 and afterwards Dmitri walked me back to Vokzalna Metro and he went off to study - he has 4 exams this week as he prepares to graduate from Orthodox seminary. I made my way back to Zoloti Vorota (Golden Gate) where I made a one minute video for church at home today. I came over to my organic coffee shop for my first coffee of the day and to send my video. After coffee and water, I sent my video and ordered some hot weather lunch. Now on the second day of Kiev Days, it is sunny and hot again, probably mid-80's at noon. So I ordered a cold soup called Okroshka. It has a kefir base and has diced radishes, potatoes, chicken and dill and is served with a few ice cubes in it. It's really light and delicious. I had another water because I'm feeling a little dehydrated, then a cabbage and cucumber and dill salad. I will top it all off with another cappuccino before heading back to Kharkivska for naps and reading. It feels really good to have the period of intense travel finished.
You know, everything is harder here. Distances and walking and hand-washing clothes take up significant time each day. Shopping is more varied and the fresh vegetables are awesome, even if cabbage, radishes and dill predominate.
So I'm going to take it easy for the rest of the day. I hope you can enjoy the long weekend. Rostek will be away for three or four days on business this week so the apartment will be quieter than usual. I will have to do some intense language study this week. Over and out.
No comments:
Post a Comment