MoldovAnn

I had a good time in New York, made a not insignficant contribution to the local economy, and will try to pack it all up in one suitcase this morning. (Damn it, I knew it was a mistake to bring only one!)

I had a absolutely fabulous time with friends. We celebrated Emily’s birthday Thursday night, and it’s hard to believe a bunch of Peace Corps friends got together and only talked about toilets for a few minutes. I’m so excited to Emily and Chris again in June at their wedding – they are finally doing it! Joanna stayed the week with me in the hotel, and it was really fun to “come home” at the end of the very long and exhausting conference days and get to talk and talk and talk with her, like when we visited each other in our Moldovan villages. It was soooo great to see Dan and hear the gossip and updates about old friends and colleagues.

I found a great deli not far from the hotel with an awesome salad bar, which has been my best friend this week. Joanna finally asked me if we don’t have salad in Ukraine, after my request to get dinner there yet again last night. I didn’t so much make a salad, though, as glom together a bunch of yummy things that we don’t have in Kyiv – baby corn, alfalfa sprouts, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, avocado, sundried tomatoes, Ceasar-salad dressing, croutons. YUM! It’s also the end of winter, so I haven’t seen much in the way of fresh vegetables for about six months.

The hotel inspired me to update my Travel Notes page, so I won’t repeat the rant here.