I'm Ukrainian

Life is never dull when Vera's around.  She thinks I need to spruce up for Kiev next week, so yesterday she took me to visit her hair dresser for some "painting" and vitamins to revitalize my hair----and maybe a new shape.  Seeing some of the orange and burgundy hair that's so popular here in Feodosiya, I was a bit reluctant---but my hair desperately needed some help.

First we walked to the Beauty products store to choose some "paint" for Vera's hair.  Fortunately, Alla called to say she wasn't comfortable painting my hair because she didn't know which chemicals had been used on it in the US.  Whew!  I would only need vitamins.  How much damage could that do?

Next we walked down a little alley to Alla's home where she has a mirror and chair set up in a room with some beds.  We met Vera's friend, Inna, (the lady who never smiles so she won't get any wrinkles) along the way and Vera invited her to come with us.  We picked up some chocolate treats to enjoy with their tea.  Inna went first and had a trim, then Vera got painted, and I got vitaminized.  We sat with bags on our heads, laughed and enjoyed the treats.  Inna never smiled once, but Vera said she was having a good time.

I got brave when it was my turn for shaping.  I said something I've never said to a hairdresser. "I trust you, just make me look good---maybe Ukrainian."  She broke out in a huge smile and excitedly, almost triumphantly, said YES, and started snipping away.

So here's my new Ukrainian look.

Inna's the one not smiling.

Alla's home where she does hair.

Earlier this week, we presented gifts to Valentina, the City Inspector, and Tamara, the orphanage director. Malvina came with us and helped choose the flowers and chocolates.  Valentina insisted we come back and enjoy tea with her the morning we leave Feodosiya.

Malvina has a cute, mischievous side to her.  She told Tamara she wanted to borrow a vase to fill with water for the flowers.  When she came back, she apologized and said she had broken the vase.  Then, with a big smile, she pulled out from behind her back a beautiful new vase she had bought as a gift for Tamara.  We all laughed.

Enjoying tea together is such a delightful, important part of this culture.  I haven't started drinking tea yet, but I sure like the idea of just taking time to eat a treat together and enjoy the people you interact with in everything from haircuts to getting documents stamped.  I felt like a close friend of Alla's after having my hair washed in her bath tub, wearing her slippers and sharing a tea party in her bedroom.

Alex's best friend, Oleg, finally returned from the sanatorium.  He loves this boy so much and brought money from home to give to him.  He said Oleg has helped him many times.

My new favorite picture from the Market.  At first I thought they were witches fingers, but they're chicken feet.  All my Ukrainian kids said they've had good soup made from chicken feet.  We're getting together to cook today----but not Chicken Feet soup.  Today it's Shuba, or Herring under a fur coat.  Not being a fish lover, I think I might prefer Chicken Feet soup.

Things are going well with Malvina.  We've had some fun badminton matches this week.  Yesterday was her last day at school, but she'll go Monday to pick up her report card--a few weeks earlier than the other kids.  It was also her last day at the ping pong club.  It couldn't have helped but be a really emotional day for her, but she seemed fine.