{"id":2102,"date":"2017-12-02T12:20:12","date_gmt":"2017-12-02T19:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggweb.com\/?p=2102"},"modified":"2017-12-02T12:20:12","modified_gmt":"2017-12-02T19:20:12","slug":"a-trip-around-the-ukraine-with-elder-neuenschwander","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/?p=2102","title":{"rendered":"A Trip Around the Ukraine with Elder Neuenschwander"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A map of our mission with the original tour shown in red.<\/p><\/div>\n

November 24 – November 30 2017<\/p>\n

So this is the original tour we were going on.\u00a0 However, Elder Neuenschwander needed a rest day so instead of going to Krivoy Rog we headed home after a day in Kremenchug.\u00a0 So instead of coming home on Friday we were home Wednesday night – to an ice storm.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 During the day it warmed up and we left just fine that afternoon and the roads were fine until we got closer to Dnepropetrovsk.\u00a0 Then when I stepped out of the van Aleks said be very careful and Elder Morgenegg was right there to guide me to safety.\u00a0 Interestingly in our complex the walkways and roads were mostly fine.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 It was so good to be home but then I am getting ahead of myself and giving you the end before the beginning.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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November 24 to November 27 2017.\u00a0 From Dnepropetrovsk to Kharkov and then on to Sumy for three days.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Houses not apartment buildings.<\/p><\/div>\n

We soon were seeing actual houses something we don’t see in our little world.\u00a0 Interesting thing here is that all the houses are surrounded by walls – brick, stone or other.\u00a0 Later we saw some with fences but mostly they have walls.\u00a0 I think perhaps it is for privacy but I don’t know.<\/p>\n

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Some more houses.\u00a0 They seem to be close together but fenced\/walled in.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Fields with houses in the distance.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Looks like a nice house out there in the field.<\/p><\/div>\n

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The sign just by the mirror says Kharkov in English and Ukrainian – the Ukrainian is with an i. Russian has no i.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Snow left from our first snow. Aleks says they get more snow in Kharkov than further north in Sumy. Interesting.<\/p><\/div>\n

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It is a little hard to see but these are very modern homes not unlike we might see in the States.<\/p><\/div>\n

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.\u00a0 Sorry if that makes this very long.<\/p>\n

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A closer look at some more modern homes. After seeing so much older construction it was surprising.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Welcome to Kharkov!<\/p><\/div>\n

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Oh there are the apartment buildings.<\/p><\/div>\n

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There was this beautiful church in the background but look at the sign in the front.\u00a0 If you cannot read it it says “PORSCHE.”\u00a0 Ukrainians like fancy cars.\u00a0 In fact across the street there was a “dealer” of “Classy Cars.”<\/p><\/div>\n

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Ykr Bank and the exchange rate of the day.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Very ornate details on the building.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Shop for 30% off today.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Shafran Hotel in Sumy Ukraine<\/p><\/div>\n

Driving from Dnepropetrovsk to Kharkov was mostly on four lane highways like home – all in very good condition.\u00a0 Driving from Kharkov to Sumy was a different story.\u00a0 There were so many potholes that Aleks was weaving back and forth.\u00a0 The road was sort of two lanes but it was so bad.\u00a0 When there were no pot holes the road was like a washboard.\u00a0 On occasion we would get a small section of smooth road and we all relaxed and then back to the pot holes and washboard.\u00a0 It was so terrible.\u00a0 We were exhausted and I know Aleks was as well.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Before we checked in we went to eat at a Ukrainian restaurant the Aleks (our driver) recommended.\u00a0 We are so glad we did as it was delicious and we all enjoyed our meals there.\u00a0 The restaurant is Shalena Shkvarka and I had Borscht with pork and a delicious roll with a garlic topping and, of course, sour cream.\u00a0 Then I had Vareni with potatoes and spices.\u00a0 Aleks said the are best boiled but I had mine fried and it was so delicious.<\/p>\n

Then off to check into our hotel and we saw that is was truly over the top in side as well.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 So here are some pictures of the hotel we stayed at.\u00a0 It was actually quite nice to have this nice place to stay on Sunday afternoon when Elder Neuenschwander was resting and so did we.<\/p>\n

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Entrance into the suite part of our room.<\/p><\/div>\n

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More of the suite<\/p><\/div>\n

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Our huge bed.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Night from our balcony<\/p><\/div>\n

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Robes hanging in the bathroom.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Tube and shower. The only bad thing is the shower head hit about my shoulders. Interesting. But truly our only complaint.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Sink and mirror – toilet is to the right.<\/p><\/div>\n

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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.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Out on our balcony you can see an apartment building near by.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Nest to it is a very nice brick home.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Two large homes with walls between and not much space.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This very fancy house was directly across from our room.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This house has a large and very fancy yard.<\/p><\/div>\n

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This guy is sitting in the front of the house.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A family walking between the hotel and the houses.<\/p><\/div>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 It is called “Vin&Gret.”\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Then back to the hotel to relax.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 There was also yogurt and dried fruit and some things we did not try.\u00a0 One highlight for me was the bag of hot chocolate that Elder Neuenschwander had brought from home.\u00a0 We both enjoyed it very much.\u00a0 Then off to Church.\u00a0 The branch is not large but the members are so friendly and were so happy we were there.\u00a0 We really enjoyed visiting there.\u00a0 Then as Elder Neuenschwander was so tired we headed back to the hotel so he could rest.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 Here are some pictures of the library.<\/p>\n

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Entrance to the library<\/p><\/div>\n

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One wall of books<\/p><\/div>\n

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A very uncomfortable couch and more books<\/p><\/div>\n

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Another uncomfortable couch<\/p><\/div>\n

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More books<\/p><\/div>\n

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And more books. Elder Morgenegg said there was one English one – A guide to Windows.<\/p><\/div>\n

Later, Aleks and Elder Morgenegg and I went to dinner at the Ukrainian restaurant again.\u00a0 I had Borscht again – I do like it a lot.\u00a0 Then I had dumplings with ground pork.\u00a0 Then we all decided to have dessert – not because we were hungry but just because.\u00a0 We had cherry vereniki – boiled not fired and oh my goodness it was so delicious.\u00a0 Another absolutely delicious meal. Then we went back to the hotel to rest and relax and check our e-mail.<\/p>\n

Monday morning we went to breakfast but on weekdays they have menus.\u00a0 You order English, French or other from the menu.\u00a0 I ordered French and got scrambled eggs, bacon, a croissant and two little apple dumplings.\u00a0 I also have gained a taste for pomegranate juice and again hot chocolate.\u00a0 Then off to to the church for more blessings.<\/p>\n

When the day ended we headed off the Poltava on roads not as badly potholed but with construction and many washboard areas.\u00a0 Not a very pleasant drive but we got there safely.\u00a0 I am going to write about that in another post.<\/p>\n

It has been so wonderful to get to know Aleks and Elder Neuenschwander on this trip.<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

November 24 – November 30 2017 So this is the original tour we were going on.\u00a0 However, Elder Neuenschwander needed a rest day so instead of going to Krivoy Rog we headed home after a day in Kremenchug.\u00a0 So instead of coming home on Friday we were home Wednesday night – to an ice storm.\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventures-intro","category-our-house"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2102"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2106,"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102\/revisions\/2106"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momsblog.morgeneggs.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}