Food — Ukraine blog — Kaitlin Vitt

If Poltava were an animal, it would be an alligator.

On our drive to the city, Kyrylo from Cobblestone Freeway Tours told us a story as a way to prepare us for our next home.

I don't remember the entire story word for word, so let me tell you my own version.

There was this guy. He was from a village. Not many people left this village. But he did. He went on an African safari where he spotted countless new sights. When he returned home to his village, he told his friends about what he saw.

Cities, Exploring Ukraine, Dance, FoodKaitlin VittSeptember 4, 2018Poltava, Ukraine, Travel, Tour, Dance, FoodComment

Life after living abroad

I felt like a superstar as I came down the escalator in Winnipeg's airport.

There they were, my family and friends, standing on the hug rug, some wearing shirts they bought in Ukraine, holding a sign saying WELCOME HOME KAITY!

Getting closer and closer, going down the escalator, the smiles grew bigger (didn't know that was even possible), the tears started flowing (people on the escalator turned around to see what the deal was), and then it happened. We were reunited.

Family, CanadaKaitlin VittAugust 12, 2018Family, Food, Canada, Travel Comments

Easter in Ukraine

People jump up at a willow tree in a public square, grabbing low hanging branches to be blessed in church.

A boy laughs and runs around his grandma, trying to hit his dad with pussy willows.

Hundreds of people gather, ladies with their heads covered in scarves, waiting for their turn to go into church.

These are just a few scenes from Easter in Ukraine. I saw some Easter celebrations in Lutsk, like Palm Sunday and a large pysanky display, but I went to Lviv for Orthodox Easter weekend (April 7 to 9). Cobblestone Freeway Tours had a couple things planned for us girls, and my parents joined too.

Family, Exploring Ukraine, Cities, Traditions, FoodKaitlin VittApril 21, 2018Holidays, Traditions, Travel, Lviv, Ukraine, Easter, Celebration, FoodComment

A not-so-traditional Christmas

Happy New Year!

I hope your holiday season was full of health and happiness, and if you're still celebrating (like us Ukrainians), may your stamina be strong (Old New Years is today, but the celebrations aren't done yet!).

Exploring Ukraine, Family, Food, TraditionsKaitlin VittJanuary 14, 2018Christmas, Celebration, Traditions, Food, Cooking, Friends, Life Comments

Missing family, making family, and visiting family abroad

I've been away from my family and friends for three and a half months. As I'm sure you can imagine, I miss them. But I wouldn't say I'm home sick. Just "people sick."

I miss lunches at Baba and Gigi's, sibling dinner dates, running around with my niece and nephew, answering my mom's technology questions (though, this is still ongoing), checking out a sports game with my dad, and laughing, eating, singing, dancing, and chatting with my friends.

Exploring Ukraine, FamilyKaitlin VittNovember 21, 2017Food, Family, Travel, Tour, Village, TernopilComment

A week in the life with Virsky studio

While we're in Kyiv, we're training with the studio group of P. Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble (commonlya known as Virsky). The studio group has about 40 dancers who train six days per week for three hours per day. There's also the Virsky school with younger dancers. Many of the studio dancers were with the school, but others have moved to Kyiv from surrounding areas.

Exploring Ukraine, Food, Shopping, CitiesKaitlin VittSeptember 17, 2017Shopping, Food, Dance, Ukrainian Dance, Ukraine, Kyive, Restaurants, Friends Comments