We flew to Lviv, Ukraine without a hitch, the tornado trip was good, served with a chocolate croissant and chocolate muesli.
The airport is new and clean, we went to the car rental and everyone spoke English, terrific! Grandpa handed me the partially printed google map, the car guy in broken English kind of explained the way with a promise a map was in the car. Ok here we go, how do we get out of the parking lot? First problem, manual shift, grandpa is a bit out of practice. Second problem, no visible street signs. Third problem, crazy drivers!! So we managed to get lost first try, double back to airport then Grandpa says the map is in glove compartment, well a third of it is. We go back inside airport to our new friends, they laugh, ok it is funny. Then manager asks if we want GPS, heck yes!! Find new map, doesn't cover hotel, fine we have Oz to tell us where to go. Try this again, only had to turn around twice this time. Hurray we found the Emerald City, aka hotel. And they speak English, mostly! Next adventure.
It comes at lunch, the hotel has a restaurant and we are the only ones dining or only ones in hotel, not sure. We ordered borscht, good Russian soup, but not enough for the day. So I spot sandwiches, I thought, not so it is slices of meat on a plate. Ok that works, some bread too please. Bread comes first, ok, wait wait, now meat. Hmm interesting, turns out bacon to ukraines is just the pig fat, thanks Grandpa for trying that! Not sure about others but seems ok, maybe. Then the borscht comes and a side of mustard please. Ok time to leave the safety of Emerald Ciry and explore.
We had a taxi take us to the city center, no seatbelts, car looks part of demolition derby. I want a refund on my ruby slippers please. Start your engines, aaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!! Crazy Ukraine drivers! We arrived safely but only because we got caught behind a bus. Now we try my Ukrainian skills, da and nyet (yes and no). Lots of souvenirs and by the time we circle around I'm noticing that they all look the same, great probably made in china. Surprise here are your presents!! Ice cream was partaken of, not as good as Europe, kind of like the chocolate. Now to find another taxi and maybe get back in one piece.
The end of a day and the first of many adventures I'm sure.
Ha Ha! Bad traffic? language barrier? crazy taxi drivers? strange food? taking your life into your own hands everytime you walk out of your hotel? You have definitely left the first world! This is Dan by the way. I hope that bacon was cooked well.
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