Den Nezyahleshnestii-Catch Up Part Two

I love Russian and Ukrainian languages, nobody else in the world manages to put so many consonants together and think it's totally great.  On the flip side (of the world) Hawaii does the same thing with vowels.  I think the Hawaiian and Ukrainian languages should get together-they would make beautiful babies.

So Sunday was Independence Day in Ukraine-marking the day that they officially separated from the Soviet Union.  Although it is not one of Putin's favorite holidays (he likes dates that have three 6s) it is one of the biggest holidays in the country, especially since they are at war with aforementioned dictat, er, president.

Now, I was very excited about being here over Independence Day, what a wonderful opportunity! 

Dear Ukraine, I love you so much and want to see everything you have to offer, why do you keep trying to kill me?!

Yes, we got sick again :/  I know, right?  Even though I felt better, I still was dealing with nausea on and off throughout the week (in fact my stomach is even a bit sensitive today, I'm on the two meal a day diet) and then Bard come down with a nasty head cold on Thursday, which sure enough, I caught on Saturday.  I did okay for Babushka's visits on Saturday and Monday, which of course was the priority, but was pretty out of it Sunday-for all the main festivities.  We missed the parade, which was basically a huge show of military strength, tanks, soldiers, and a speech by the president that stated time for talking was over and all this military would be in the East by the next day, it was time to take back their country.

Go for it Ukraine, stand up for what's right and don't let anything stop you.

So despite not feeling well we still wanted to take part in the celebration-and the spirit of countryhood.  Don't let the news fool you-these people are Ukrainian.  Everyone showed such a huge demonstration of national pride, (not cute gimmicky t shirts, of which of course I own) wonderful attire, flags, music, camaraderie-and this all from the people, not part of any show.  There were soldiers and veterans everywhere and probably thousands of people flowing in and out of Maidan all day-which was unrecognizable from when we first arrived in Kyiv.  I honestly don't know how they renovated it so quickly, everything from working fountains, planted flower beds to repaving the streets and removing graffiti.  They took back what was theirs and they can do it again. It was fun just to be amongst the crowd, appreciating Ukraine.  The kids were all wearing traditional Ukrainian outfits and we received more than one smile and compliment-they thought we were Ukrainian!

Well, we are :)

All in all it was a fun day, and although it probably extended our being sick it was worth it.  Happy Independence Day Ukraine, we love you!