So, I started this blog mostly as a vent for my sarcastic comments and complaints, but since starting to get my sarcasm out in other forms, it's fallen by the wayside. However, I feel like talking a little about my recent trip to Ukraine somewhere... so why not here?

 I had an amazing time. I had two best friends throughout my formative years, Nat, whose wedding occurred just over three years ago, and Brent, who's wedding was the point of the trip. Everyone who knows me has heard Nat and BJ stories, and this trip provided plenty more laugh filled occasions to of similar standards. Hopefully, over the next couple days, I'll get up the gumption to explain why phrases like "I'll just finish this myself" or "Nice Boots" will evoke a smile from me from now on.

 A few random observations on Ukraine: It's beautiful. We spent the first part of the week getting to see Kiev. Kiev was a lovely old city, with evidence of both the former USSR influence, as well as the fact it's clearly changed since then. (For anyone entirely unfamiliar, Ukraine is as modern as anywhere else in Europe or North America.) We also spent a night overlooking the Black Sea, which was gorgeous. The wedding itself was at an lovely little resort, near a town but just far enough away to feel remote and be surrounded by nature.

 The stereotypes about Russian's and their vodka hold true in Ukraine. It was cheap, it was smooth, and it was flowing, both the night before the wedding and at the reception. The people were all very nice, though walking down the street there were many more sullen looks than I am used to in Madison. Getting around Kiev was easy if you don't mind subway's and a little walking. US money can be stretched a lot further there than it can here.

I found it interesting how obvious it was to everyone around me that I was American. From the plane on, I would hear the people in front of me constantly being spoken to in Russian, then as soon as someone looked it me, they switched to English. At one point, walking in Kiev, I heard someone walking past us speaking Russian to a companion, only to say "Excuse me" to me, despite not even seeing my face, as he walked past. I was nearly overjoyed to finally blend in, on the plane ride back, when a steward passing out drinks asked me a question in Russian, then switched to English only when I responded in the same.

 This post is getting a little long in the tooth, and I'm still jet-lagged. But I'll post about actual experiences sometime soon. Overall, as a general statement though, I highly recommend anyone who has a chance to spend some time in Ukraine.