My first day at my site, Artemovsk, with Nikolai.
This month marks two years in Ukraine. This I can hardly believe. I remember the morning I left like it was only yesterday. Filled with anxiety and excitement, I couldn’t sleep at all that night. Thoughts of my future life in Ukraine and what that would entail danced around in my head. Believing I’d forgotten something, I went over and over my mental packing list. Soon my alarm went off, signaling the beginning of the journey.
Now, after 24 months, thousands of miles traveled, hundreds of English lessons taught, dozens of new friendships made, I’m preparing to end my Peace Corps service and leave Ukraine. Tomorrow is the first big step in that process: the group 38 close of service conference in Chernigov.
It’s all down hill from here. The next 59 days will no doubt pass by in a flash. But I’m ready for a new challenge, much like I was that last night before leaving Portland for Ukraine. But just what that challenge will be remains to be seen.
Congratulations on two years, and best of luck on your next steps taken. However I do feel the need to bitch a little since I’ve only recently found your writing and was looking forward to more Ukrainian stories.