More Goodbyes

Friday was my last day in Shevchenkove, the town that I called home for the past 27 months. I decided to make one last visit to my old apartment to say goodbye to my old landlord, Sasha, and some of the neighbors. Sasha would welcome me in and decided that we needed to this right: tea and cookies. So we went to the store to get some cookies. As he was going to make some tea, we found that the water was out at the moment so we went to the well to get water. After he'd fetched some water in the bucket he decided that we needed to go pick some berries from his garden. I said that we didn't need to but he insisted, saying that I will remember this. So I stood there with my hands open while he picked some berries and placed them in my palms. We sat down to some tea, cookies, and berries, and talked.

Yesterday I met with my friends in Kharkiv. They planned a big party for me. They cooked all day and set a table for our last meal together. One notable cultural difference between Ukraine and America is that here, when one is celebrating a birthday, that person is responsible for cooking and paying for everything. I cited this fact and tried to help but they insisted. I said, “But Zhenya, this is my party. I should be cooking everything or at least pay.” Zhenya wittily replied, “But it's not your birthday.” I had nothing more to say. They had me stay in the other room while they set up and wouldn't let me see the surprise. When came time, I walked into a room decorated with balloons, pictures, and Christmas lights amid cheers. They'd set a table with all kinds of salads, vareneky, Champagne, and wine. We spent the evening in true Ukrainian fashion: dining, drinking, singing, and reminiscing. I have the best Ukrainian friends, ever!