Interesting Information about the Ukraine

Going back to when I heard that my placement would be in the Ukraine, one of the first things that came to my head was the fact that the conditions of the country would be similar to what I am used to here, living in Canada. Knowing this put me off a little, because I wanted to experience something different... I did some general searching about the Ukraine and realized that yes there were a large number of things that would be 'structurally' similar in relation to the climate, actual buildings and churches, toilets, etc. However after meeting with Myroslaw (our direct connection at the University of Waterloo concerning our placement in the Ukraine), I came to see that there were going to be some differences that I was likely to face. 

Food will be a big difference, as I have come to find out that the food is very heavy in meat, dairy, dough, and pastries. I am used to eating a lot of meat and various kinds (within the past 6 months I have tried venison shoulder and kangaroo), dairy is not a common item in my daily diet, nor are doughy foods or pastries. Therefore to some it may seem as though I should be a little worried about the fact that I will be living with a host family and not likely making many of my own meals... and to some this may be a little worrisome if they are vegetarian or light eaters, but for me this could not get any better. One of the things about this placement that I am looking most forward to when living with a host family is having home cooked authentic Ukranian meals!! Oh am I ever excited for cabbage roles, dumplings, perogies, and all the other great food I hope to try! 

Some Common Dishes:

• Varenniki are large stuffed dumplings and are considered the national dish
• stuffed with potato and smothered in fried onions and smetana (heavier than our sour cream)
• can also be stuffed with meat or farmer's cheese
• in the spring, stuffed with cherries, applies, or strawberries and served as dessert
• Holubtsi is a meat and rice rolled up in cabbage leaves and covered with a creamy tomato sauce 
• the name means 'little doves'

Superstitions - I have listed the ones that I read in the travel book I was looking at and begun to wonder whether these things are a part of their culture and if I should really take them into consideration, for I am likely to do some of these things without even thinking as they are common practices in our Canadian culture. I am aware that some people are really serious about their superstitions, so I think this is something I should really look into.

• Never shake hands through a doorway. Doing so is a sign of insincerity, misfortune and ill will to the other person.
• Never cross paths with or move ahead of a funeral procession. Doing so means your are searching for death.
• Whistling indoors means all you money will fly out the window.   
• When you see a baby, do not fawn over the child, look the baby directly in the eye, or tell the parent how cute and precious the baby is. It is bad luck - the child may get sick and you may inadvertently pass on the evil eye. 
• Never give a gift for an unborn child.
• Never give an even number of flowers - it symbolizes death.
• To avoid jinxing yourself when tempting fate, spit over your left shoulder three times.
• Sit down before leaving on a long journey (preferably on your luggage). Rushing off brings bad luck on the road.
• If you sit at the corner of a table, you'll be single for ever.
• Sitting between two people with the same first name brings good luck.
• If you drop a knife, an unexpected male visitor is soon to arrive (a fork - female).

Ukrainian Months

English name	Ukrainian name	Transliteration	Ukrainian meaning
January	Січень	Sichen'	month of cutting (chopping wood, or biting frost)
February	Лютий	Lyutiy	cruel or frosty
March	Березень	Berezen'	month of the bereza (birch)
April	Квітень	Kviten'	month of flowering
May	Травень	Traven'	month of grass
June	Червень	Cherven'	red month, meaning month when berries ripe and become red
July	Липень	Lypen'	month of the lipa (linden tree)
August	Серпень	Serpen'	month of the sickle
September	Вересень	Veresen'	month of heather
October	Жовтень	Zhovten'	yellow month
November	Листопад	Lystopad	falling leaves
December	Грудень	Hruden'	month of frozen clods

Toilets will be different. I have read that public toilets are of the stand or squat variety with footsteps and may cost 2 UAH to use, plus a cost for toilet paper if it is not provided (I'll keep this in mind and bring my own or check before going into the stall!). I guess no one said public meant free... Something we take for granted here I guess. In a travel book I read that McDonalds was the place to go for the cleanest experience (although you cannot just walk in without buying anything like you can here). I just had a thought, I wonder if McDonalds food will be different... Anyway I will let you know how the toilet experience goes!

This information was just some things that I came across while researching the Ukraine that I thought was interesting and thought that others may also find interesting, which may spark some interesting comments!