Just a quick post during this time I am in Kyiv. I had to come in today for training and will be here for the next week or so, which takes me away from all my easy access to the internet during this time. But just two quick anecdotes, as Ukrainians love to tell. The first was this rather odd flash of home yesterday. I had heard stories of this pharmacy that was real cool and had good products. I wanted to at least check it out because my toothpaste supply was running low and wanted to at least see if I could get a replacement of the same stuff, not getting blend-a-med, which I have heard horror stories about.
So I walked into the aforementioned store and it was almost like walking into a western store, Walgreens or the equivalent. Plus, the best feature of all is you can take what you want off the shelves yourself. Most stores in this country require you to ask for nearly everything stored behind the counter. It was a great time.

The second anecdote is on my way here, by train, I got mistaken for a Ukrainian. While it might not seem like that big of a deal back home, it is a rather unusual occurrence to have that happen and I don't expect it to happen again any time soon. Of course the train was rather dark and I was listening more than speaking, but still I was rather elated at that moment after being tagged as an American so many times before. Of course then one of the guys in the coupe, a military doctor as was explained to me wanted to practice his English, not the first time it has happened, but always entertaining. Once again, the train ride went well and have to say people here never stop to amaze me.