I had decided that I needed an easy Monday. My aches and pains from all the walking were catching up to me. Did I mention that I didn't experience any jet lag?
So, I hung around the apartment in the morning and Vladimir came around 10 to pick up the things he had left here on Sunday. We visited for a half hour or so. After he left I read and relaxed for a while until cravings for cappuccino overcame me and I headed up the street to Glossary. (one of the best features of my apartment is that is so close to my favorite watering hole.) After cappuccino, I read for a while and ordered cabbage salad - the first time I had it since I arrived. It's kind of ridiculous that something so simple can taste so good to me - every time! After my salad, I had pancakes with shredded zucchini, sort of like potato pancakes but with squash. They were really delicious. I finished with another cappuccino. I don't think I ever mentioned that at Glossary, cappuccino is served with a small confection, a small ball of chocolate dough wrapped around a hazelnut then rolled in powdered chocolate. It's a small sweet but really a nice touch. With that final cappuccino, my waiter brought two confections instead of one. Ah, the joys of being a regular customer! That plus my 5% discount card.
I went back to the apartment to lie down for a little while and read some more. I surprised myself by sleeping a little. I had a skype call with my Elder in the States for half an hour and left the house at 5:30 to meet Vladimir to go to a meeting. Meanwhile I had received an email from a colleague saying there would be a man at the meeting who wanted to talk to me. He had been part of Exodus International for six years. Vladimir and I went to the offices of an agency that cares for HIV/AIDS patients for our meeting with the Executive Director. It was a really good meeting about bringing spiritual care into the lives of people living with AIDS. The challenge is to make in accessible to people. The predominant model is Orthodox practice but that is not acceptable for many people who are not Orthodox.
I met the young man from Exodus and we immediately began a rather intense conversation. I've been on this road so many times over the years with men who've been damaged by ex-gay therapy. He told me that, surprising to himself, he felt immediately comfortable with me. I suppose we will meet again. I left it completely up to him.
I got home at 11 and stayed up till 12, catching up in brief chats on Facebook with friends at home. This morning (Tuesday), I've had a few exchanges with a close friend in Mariupol. We agreed that I would come this weekend. I couldn't get a plane ticket to Donetsk at such short notice, so I will take the train (16 hours!) overnight on Thursday, arriving at 8 on Friday. Friday night I will speak with my friend's group in Mariupol and answer the million questions people have. Saturday, we will go the the Sea of Azov to enjoy the day in conversation. I will take the train back to Kiev on Sunday night. This time I will try to get a 1st instead of 2nd class ticket on the train. the difference is 1st class has two bunks per compartment, 2nd had 4.
It's getting to be late morning here. I've lazed around reading and drinking coffee and eating ham and cheese left over from Sunday. Soon I'll head out in search of lunch and go to the train station to book my tickets. Have I mentioned that I love Ukraine?
So, I hung around the apartment in the morning and Vladimir came around 10 to pick up the things he had left here on Sunday. We visited for a half hour or so. After he left I read and relaxed for a while until cravings for cappuccino overcame me and I headed up the street to Glossary. (one of the best features of my apartment is that is so close to my favorite watering hole.) After cappuccino, I read for a while and ordered cabbage salad - the first time I had it since I arrived. It's kind of ridiculous that something so simple can taste so good to me - every time! After my salad, I had pancakes with shredded zucchini, sort of like potato pancakes but with squash. They were really delicious. I finished with another cappuccino. I don't think I ever mentioned that at Glossary, cappuccino is served with a small confection, a small ball of chocolate dough wrapped around a hazelnut then rolled in powdered chocolate. It's a small sweet but really a nice touch. With that final cappuccino, my waiter brought two confections instead of one. Ah, the joys of being a regular customer! That plus my 5% discount card.
I went back to the apartment to lie down for a little while and read some more. I surprised myself by sleeping a little. I had a skype call with my Elder in the States for half an hour and left the house at 5:30 to meet Vladimir to go to a meeting. Meanwhile I had received an email from a colleague saying there would be a man at the meeting who wanted to talk to me. He had been part of Exodus International for six years. Vladimir and I went to the offices of an agency that cares for HIV/AIDS patients for our meeting with the Executive Director. It was a really good meeting about bringing spiritual care into the lives of people living with AIDS. The challenge is to make in accessible to people. The predominant model is Orthodox practice but that is not acceptable for many people who are not Orthodox.
I met the young man from Exodus and we immediately began a rather intense conversation. I've been on this road so many times over the years with men who've been damaged by ex-gay therapy. He told me that, surprising to himself, he felt immediately comfortable with me. I suppose we will meet again. I left it completely up to him.
I got home at 11 and stayed up till 12, catching up in brief chats on Facebook with friends at home. This morning (Tuesday), I've had a few exchanges with a close friend in Mariupol. We agreed that I would come this weekend. I couldn't get a plane ticket to Donetsk at such short notice, so I will take the train (16 hours!) overnight on Thursday, arriving at 8 on Friday. Friday night I will speak with my friend's group in Mariupol and answer the million questions people have. Saturday, we will go the the Sea of Azov to enjoy the day in conversation. I will take the train back to Kiev on Sunday night. This time I will try to get a 1st instead of 2nd class ticket on the train. the difference is 1st class has two bunks per compartment, 2nd had 4.
It's getting to be late morning here. I've lazed around reading and drinking coffee and eating ham and cheese left over from Sunday. Soon I'll head out in search of lunch and go to the train station to book my tickets. Have I mentioned that I love Ukraine?
So looking forward to your train journey. Those are always interesting, to say the least! Gee, from reading this blog, you'd think you liked Ukraine or something! Any vareneky yet? Be safe, and love you.
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