The next step was to find a place to live. Natalia and I explored every avenue of housing. Post-Soviet housing isn't always easy to find even though everyone lives in apartments. The evolution of housing in Ukraine and most post-Soviet countries is simple - apartments are bought when completed, lived in until death, then passed on to the next generation. Though poverty is rampant, homelessness isn't. After weeks of looking we found two viable options. The first was a single-room apartment with fixtures from the mid-60s, a single spring bed and the largest collection of ceramic deer I'd ever seen. The owner had died only days before and the "realtor" was ready to deal. We looked an another apartment, and it was perfect.It was recently renovated, meaning the floors were painted and the toilet fixed, and a new electric range was installed. Without hesitation I expressed in my limited knowledge of Ukrainian my desire to begin the moving process.
Grant Earich wirtes: Adventures in Ukraine continue
Adventures in Ukraine continue
Grant Earich
Guest Columnist
My first real day of Peace Corps service began when I moved to my permanent site. I left my training village of Mryn that consisted of roughly 1,000 people, and moved southwest to the large city of Vinnytsia. Vinnytsia has a population of around 450,000 people, settled in the Podillia Region of Ukraine, a region known for its rolling hills and fertile black soil - reminiscent of Southeastern Ohio.
I arrived in Vinnytsia three days before Christmas 2006. This was the first Christmas I'd ever spent away from my family. The loneliness was amplified by the fact that I didn't know a single other person. I was living with a host-family, but communication was difficult since my language was still a work-in-progress. Waking up on Christmas Day, I felt more alone than ever. I spent the day walking around town exploring my new surroundings; essentially looking for something familiar. In the evening, I spoke briefly with my family as they gathered for Christmas dinner. When the conversation ended, I still felt alone. This remains the lowest emotional moment during my service.
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The next day I attended my first meeting at Vinnytsia School 1 - my workplace for the remainder of my service. When I arrived I met with my Peace Corps assigned coordinator or life organizer, Natalia. Natalia is a short, brunette woman in her mid-40s. Her personality is revered for its strict, no-nonsense approach. She had already mapped out what I was going to be doing for the next two years. I was feeling overwhelmed. As I was leaving Natalia gave me a small bag and simply said "Merry Christmas." Inside the bag was a cup and saucer. It wasn't much, but at this moment it was exactly what I needed. Although Ukrainian Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on Jan. 7, Natalia made sure that I felt a small comfort from home. At that moment my attitude improved and my loneliness began to dissipate.
My schedule consisted of teaching 20 classes per week plus clubs and other community-related activities. By the end of my first week my feet were tired and my voice was gone, but my love for teaching and my school only increased.
After only two weeks of teaching I began work on the school's first English, Debate and Scholastic Olympiad clubs. Everyday my outlook improved.
The next step was to find a place to live. Natalia and I explored every avenue of housing. Post-Soviet housing isn't always easy to find even though everyone lives in apartments. The evolution of housing in Ukraine and most post-Soviet countries is simple - apartments are bought when completed, lived in until death, then passed on to the next generation. Though poverty is rampant, homelessness isn't.
After weeks of looking we found two viable options. The first was a single-room apartment with fixtures from the mid-60s, a single spring bed and the largest collection of ceramic deer I'd ever seen. The owner had died only days before and the "realtor" was ready to deal.
We looked an another apartment, and it was perfect.It was recently renovated, meaning the floors were painted and the toilet fixed, and a new electric range was installed. Without hesitation I expressed in my limited knowledge of Ukrainian my desire to begin the moving process.
With a new site, job and apartment I was on my way to what I hoped to be the best two years of my life.
Grant Earich is a 2000 graduate of Tri-Valley High School and 2004 graduate of Walsh University. He holds bachelor of arts degrees in history and political science. Prior to his service in the United States Peace Corps, he served in Ohio State Senator Joy Padgett's office and as a legislative assistant and advisor to Ohio's largest nonprofit, Ohio Citizen Action. He will periodically write about his adventures.
