Retreat in Crimea

This blog is a bit belated. We spent the second week of May near Yalta in Crimea (southern Ukraine) with the rest of the MCC Europe team, at summer retreat. Although the setting was beautiful - our balcony overlooked the Black Sea - the weather was cold. Perhaps ok, though, since most of our time was spent inside in meetings. We had a good time nevertheless - it's always fun to connect with other MCCers from other places. It was also great to see a different side of Ukraine - mountains, winding roads and the sea, compared with plains, coal mines and smoke-belching factories. As everyone back in Donetsk advised, we breathed deeply and got our fill of fresh Crimean air. A few photos:


Even though it was freezing cold and cloudy, Dave and David Martin (Serbia) had to take a dip in the Black Sea, just to say they'd done it.

At a scenic spot along the coast.

The "Swallow's Nest" castle near Yalta.

Greenhouse Harvest I

We returned from retreat and I was pleased to find that the greenhouse looking good. Most of the plants are around 5.5' tall and we have already harvested over 200lbs. It is rather exciting.

Flowers in bags

One interesting cultural trend in Ukraine (and certain other Eastern European countries) is that everyone carries plastic bags. Women have a purse, plus a plastic bag to carry whatever doesn’t fit in the purse. Men also carry them. Shoulder bags, briefcases and backpacks are around, but not as popular as the plastic bag. And it can’t be any bag. Usually they’re bags made of more durable plastic than a typical plastic grocery bag, with name brands and bright colors printed on them – Calvin Klein is a big one, also Boss. Some say random English words and phrases like “Scotch Whiskey” or “Thanks We Invite.” The grocery stores all sell them, for a few kopecks more than the ordinary plastic shopping bags that you get with your groceries. You can also buy them at the market, where whole kiosks are devoted only to plastic bags. It’s no small task to pick the right one, since you can use it for several months before it wears out. Durable nylon-weave bags are also available to tote your stuff around, but are generally only appropriate for pensioners to carry. The rest of us should strive to be more stylish.

Anyway, as people carry their bags around, I’ve noticed that you can tell what season it is by what sort of plant or flower is sticking out of their bags. In general, Ukrainians have especially green thumbs, so plants and flowers are very important – both indoors and out. Daffodils bring the first signs of spring. On Easter weekend pussy willows and weeping willow branches seemed to be the greenery of choice. The first few weeks in May are full of holidays, so tulips are especially plentiful these days. After that will be lilacs, then daisies and other summer flowers. Meanwhile, flowers are interspersed with young trees, rose bushes and garden transplants like tomatoes, all of them peeking out of the plastic bags. Fall brings mums, which last into October. Then at Christmas, evergreen boughs are common, on their way to a decorative centerpiece at a holiday celebration. Bagged plans are pretty scarce in January, February and March – I guess then it’s too cold to carry plants very far in a bag. So my bag-watching tells me it’s spring again, and I’m happy that it’s finally here.

Laura