Happy Ukrainian Independence Day! Things I have Learned about Ukraine.

Today marks the 18th year Ukraine has been an independent country. I have been in and around Ukraine for about seven of those eighteen.

Things I have learned about Ukraine in that time are the following:

1. Ukrainians don’t like it when others call their country ‘THE Ukraine’. I should say English-speaking Ukrainians don’t like it, since there is no ’the’ in the Ukrainian language.

2. Ukrainians aren’t afraid to class it up a bit. The above photo is just a taste of what I am talking about here. You see that? Classy stuff, there.

3. Never save money in Ukrainian currency. Never transfer money to a Ukrainian bank unless you know that bank’s president. In fact, try to route around the entire financial system by dealing in cash and foreign accounts. Can’t stress that enough.

4. Trains are fun. More on that later.

5. Gorilka and Salo. If you haven’t tried it you don’t know what you are missing.

Happy Independence Day!