A map of our mission with the original tour shown in red.
November 24 – November 30 2017
So this is the original tour we were going on. However, Elder Neuenschwander needed a rest day so instead of going to Krivoy Rog we headed home after a day in Kremenchug. So instead of coming home on Friday we were home Wednesday night – to an ice storm. In fact that morning as we left the hotel I took a fall when I stepped off the prepared path – icy is an understatement and from then on we worried about Elder Neuenschwander falling. During the day it warmed up and we left just fine that afternoon and the roads were fine until we got closer to Dnepropetrovsk. Then when I stepped out of the van Aleks said be very careful and Elder Morgenegg was right there to guide me to safety. Interestingly in our complex the walkways and roads were mostly fine. We had to go out to get milk and had to be careful where we walked when we left our development – fortunately the little market is just outside our complex so a short walk and then home to pancakes for dinner. It was so good to be home but then I am getting ahead of myself and giving you the end before the beginning.
Except for the first day most of our traveling was when it was dark so not many pictures of the cities we were in so enjoy what little I have.
November 24 to November 27 2017. From Dnepropetrovsk to Kharkov and then on to Sumy for three days.
We left our apartment about 10 in the morning to drive the three hours to Kharkov where we went in October for the special meeting with Elder Kearon.
Houses not apartment buildings.
We soon were seeing actual houses something we don’t see in our little world. Interesting thing here is that all the houses are surrounded by walls – brick, stone or other. Later we saw some with fences but mostly they have walls. I think perhaps it is for privacy but I don’t know.
Some more houses. They seem to be close together but fenced/walled in.
Fields with houses in the distance.
Looks like a nice house out there in the field.
The sign just by the mirror says Kharkov in English and Ukrainian – the Ukrainian is with an i. Russian has no i.
Snow left from our first snow. Aleks says they get more snow in Kharkov than further north in Sumy. Interesting.
It is a little hard to see but these are very modern homes not unlike we might see in the States.
For some reason I am having trouble getting pictures to be side by side so I am just putting them in a string for here on. Sorry if that makes this very long.
A closer look at some more modern homes. After seeing so much older construction it was surprising.
Welcome to Kharkov!
Oh there are the apartment buildings.
There was this beautiful church in the background but look at the sign in the front. If you cannot read it it says “PORSCHE.” Ukrainians like fancy cars. In fact across the street there was a “dealer” of “Classy Cars.”
Ykr Bank and the exchange rate of the day.
Very ornate details on the building.
Shop for 30% off today.
Shafran Hotel in Sumy Ukraine
Driving from Dnepropetrovsk to Kharkov was mostly on four lane highways like home – all in very good condition. Driving from Kharkov to Sumy was a different story. There were so many potholes that Aleks was weaving back and forth. The road was sort of two lanes but it was so bad. When there were no pot holes the road was like a washboard. On occasion we would get a small section of smooth road and we all relaxed and then back to the pot holes and washboard. It was so terrible. We were exhausted and I know Aleks was as well.
When we finally arrived in Sumy we drove past our hotel and began to understand what President Sullivan meant when he said it was a little over the top. The hotel they usually stay at is very noisy on weekends and Elder Neuenschwander needed a quiet room to rest in so we were booked here. Before we checked in we went to eat at a Ukrainian restaurant the Aleks (our driver) recommended. We are so glad we did as it was delicious and we all enjoyed our meals there. The restaurant is Shalena Shkvarka and I had Borscht with pork and a delicious roll with a garlic topping and, of course, sour cream. Then I had Vareni with potatoes and spices. Aleks said the are best boiled but I had mine fried and it was so delicious.
Then off to check into our hotel and we saw that is was truly over the top in side as well. Elder Morgenegg and I travel simply and although we have stayed in some very nice hotels and motels over the years and some very nice bed and breakfasts as well – we are simple and don’t need anything fancy especially when all we are going to do is sleep. So here are some pictures of the hotel we stayed at. It was actually quite nice to have this nice place to stay on Sunday afternoon when Elder Neuenschwander was resting and so did we.
Entrance into the suite part of our room.
More of the suite
Our huge bed.
Night from our balcony
Robes hanging in the bathroom.
Tube and shower. The only bad thing is the shower head hit about my shoulders. Interesting. But truly our only complaint.
Sink and mirror – toilet is to the right.
Desk to check in with stairs to the left. Unfortunately there was not an elevator and we were on the third floor and Elder Neuenschwander was on the fourth floor. But it was quite.
Out on our balcony you can see an apartment building near by.
Nest to it is a very nice brick home.
Two large homes with walls between and not much space.
This very fancy house was directly across from our room.
This house has a large and very fancy yard.
This guy is sitting in the front of the house.
A family walking between the hotel and the houses.
We spent Friday night relaxing after we had dinner and then we had a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel before heading to the church for blessings. As we were finishing we wanted to go back to the Ukrainian restaurant so Aleks called for reservations but they were booked solid so we went to the restaurant under the church for dinner. It is called “Vin&Gret.” Elder Morgenegg felt it was very overpriced and it was but I enjoyed my meal of pumpkin puree soup with greens and prosciutto and pasta with grilled chicken and mushrooms with a cheese sauce. Then back to the hotel to relax.
Sunday morning we again had the buffet breakfast (which included some Ukrainian pastry, dumplings, sausage and beans as well as the standard fare of scrambled eggs. There was also yogurt and dried fruit and some things we did not try. One highlight for me was the bag of hot chocolate that Elder Neuenschwander had brought from home. We both enjoyed it very much. Then off to Church. The branch is not large but the members are so friendly and were so happy we were there. We really enjoyed visiting there. Then as Elder Neuenschwander was so tired we headed back to the hotel so he could rest.
While we waited Elder Morgenegg and I decided to leave our room so they could clean it and so we took our books and kindles and went to the “Library” to have our Family Home Evening reading. Here are some pictures of the library.
Entrance to the library
One wall of books
A very uncomfortable couch and more books
Another uncomfortable couch
More books
And more books. Elder Morgenegg said there was one English one – A guide to Windows.
Later, Aleks and Elder Morgenegg and I went to dinner at the Ukrainian restaurant again. I had Borscht again – I do like it a lot. Then I had dumplings with ground pork. Then we all decided to have dessert – not because we were hungry but just because. We had cherry vereniki – boiled not fired and oh my goodness it was so delicious. Another absolutely delicious meal. Then we went back to the hotel to rest and relax and check our e-mail.
Monday morning we went to breakfast but on weekdays they have menus. You order English, French or other from the menu. I ordered French and got scrambled eggs, bacon, a croissant and two little apple dumplings. I also have gained a taste for pomegranate juice and again hot chocolate. Then off to to the church for more blessings.
When the day ended we headed off the Poltava on roads not as badly potholed but with construction and many washboard areas. Not a very pleasant drive but we got there safely. I am going to write about that in another post.
It has been so wonderful to get to know Aleks and Elder Neuenschwander on this trip.