Goin' Solo in Krakow Polska

It's intimidating, at first. Upon leaving Ukraine, driving away from the bus stop, I watched my family and friends wave as I set out on my own. I had a hard time sleeping on the bus and passing through customs in the middle of the night made me nervous as they collected our passports for checks. We arrived at dawn to Krakow to an almost empty bus station. As I was trying to figure out where to go and what to do, I found it rather ironic that three different people asked me for directions. Maybe I seem to fit in naturally in Polska?

After a fresh cup of coffee, an overpriced breakfast sandwich accompanied by a complicated city map, I pieced together the route to my hostel. Trudging my over-packed backpack and a bag of food, I finally got the the hostel to settled in.

Soon thereafter, feelings of intimidation turned to feelings of liberation. I was free to wander and explore. Strolling through the charming city, you automatically feel relaxed, yet curious. So many quaint cafe shops and gorgeous artwork on display all over the city. I loved being a tourist here! One of my favorite spots was the the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Forgot About The Stars

Living in the city, sometimes you forget how bright the stars shine at night. Our vision is blurred by streetlights, cars, buildings and a multitude of electronic devices, that we can't even see the vast universe when we look up at the sky.

I forgot about the stars.... until I had to walk home in pitch black. You literally couldn't see a single thing in front of you. Foot after foot you feel the beaten path as you try to remember your way back home at night, hoping not to step in mud, or worse, manuer.

It was breathtaking to have the whole universe shine so brightly before your eyes. I was in awe in how many millions of stars I could see.  I searched for familiar patterns, wishing I payed better attention back in astronomy class.

The best part of the night sky is that no matter where in the world one may be, we all look up at the same extraodinary universe above us.

Welcome to Potatoe Country

Ukraine was known as the "breadbasket" country. Even the national flag (blue on top and yellow on the bottom) symbolizes the golden wheat fields and the blue sky, I think potatoes would be more fitting.

Perhaps Ukraine should be known as the potatoe basket (or potatoe sack) country? Ever since I came to Ukraine, all I've been eating are potatoes.

Almost every dish is made from potatoes- soup, salad, perogies, fries, chips, omelets, dumplings, and just about anything else you can imagine. I eat some form of potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Whether it is mashed, fried, grilled, cooked or baked, Ukranians have found every which way to make a countless dishes from this staple food.

And, of course, the national past-time: digging potatoes.

Re-Visiting My Childhood Playground in Ukraine

Whenever I think of  Ukraine, I always remember the childhood days I'd spend with my dad and family. My dad grew up in a tiny village a few hours away from Lviv called "Hlibiv." When I was little, I used to come visit my dad every summer, so I spent a ton of time exploring, playing, and getting in trouble in this little village.

When I got older, my dad moved to live with us in the States  so my yearly trips to Ukraine ended. It's been over five years since I've last been back.

Re-visiting Hlibiv meant more than ever to me this time around because my father was no longer here.

My New Learned Skill: Sleeping

I used to be paranoid of sleeping in front of people. But now I'm proud of my new learned skill: I can fall asleep anywhere, anytime.

....You may be thinking "So what? Everyone sleeps."

Well, let me tell you, the roads in Ukraine have more holes and cracks than anywhere else on the planet. You're constatly bouncing up and down holding on for your life. If you're lucky enough to get a seat, it vibrates so much, it's like getting a back massage. I can now fall asleep a minute after I sit down.

I also developed a skill of being able to fall asleep through any noise... that, or I'm going deaf. Either way, I'm bound to fall asleep and miss my stop soon enough somewhere.

I'm still working on honing my sleeping skills, however. Sleeping while you stand-- now, those are THE experts.