Hmmmm….what details of life in Priluki should I share with you today? Well, for one, the weekly schedule here has been very confusing for us. In the U.S. people start their days early. We get up and get ready for school and work and are usually headed out the door by 7:00 or 8:00 am, Monday through Friday. I don’t have to go out, because I home school, but we are ready to roll by 7:00 most mornings. Here in Priluki, nothing seems to move much until around 9am when the shops open and the pastry ladies and flower vendors set up their sidewalk stands. Did I tell you about the pastries yet? Oh man…be still my stomach.
This is the Ukrainian version of a pierogie. NOTHING like the frozen kind we buy in the USA. It is a hot fried dough with a filling. The dough tastes JUST like beignets from Senegal. Beignets are a fried doughnut-hole kind of treat you can buy on the streets of Sengal, West Africa. I can’t compare the dough with anything to be found in the U.S.- it really has to be made from scratch. Trust me, I love to cheat my way through a recipe with store bought shortcuts- but it can’t be done if you want authentic tasting beignets. Excuse me a moment while I wipe the drool from my lips…
Anyway, these “pierogies” are filled with different types of fillings. For the sweet tooth, there is a fruit filling that tastes very much like apricot. Then there is a fish filling, also a meat filling of some sort (we can’t figure out WHAT type of meat this is), a potato filling (mashed potatoes). There is Rich’s favorite which is filled with chopped boiled eggs, onions, and chives. Then there is my favorite- fried cabbage, carrots, and onions, all perfectly seasoned and enrobed in fried dough. MMMMmmmmm……I have been eating these every morning for breakfast. Which would explain why, despite all the walking I am doing I am not losing weight here. I sometimes eat them for snacks too. And for lunch. And dinner. I’m bringing the recipe home so I can continue to eat like this and spread it to some of my friends and family also.
On our main street here in Priluki, there is a flower vendor right next to the pierogie ladies. There are flower vendors on sidewalks around the town. There are multiple flower shops- one on every corner! There are flowers everywhere here. Even in the most run-down apartment complexes, there will be beautiful flowers planted by the entrances. The people of Ukraine love flowers!
Back to our confusion of the weekly schedule in Ukraine: So in the USA, our days start earlier and they run much longer. Here in Priluki, most shops are closed by 6pm. The grocery stores stay open a little later than that, and of course restaurants and anywhere else that a person can “socialize” is open late. Here in Priluki, life is not dictated by the work schedule. Life is not dictated by making money, although money is certainly appreciated here! Life is more about the relationships one develops and has with others. People here will stop and talk for a very long time to someone that they meet on the street, even if they may have somewhere important to go. Co-workers just talk and talk and still get the job done. All the ladies who work at our hotel seem to be good friends and to enjoy each others company. We will walk into the hotel lobby and they will all be taking a break on the couches and just laughing and chatting way. Sometimes, one of them will be laying down and resting- in the middle of the day, on the couch in the lobby, while ON THE JOB!!! Would this ever happen in the US? Well, it might, but she wouldn’t keep that job. Here, it’s just life. Be relaxed, be friendly, enjoy life and don’t work yourself to death. Socialization is HUGE here. Yesterday, a sweet old man just talked our ears off while we were touring an old church. He just loved chatting with us and had a good story to tell. I sure wish we knew what he said…
And then there is Monday. Monday confuses me. It seems to be a day of rest here. The street market and some restaurants are closed on Mondays. It’s quieter around town. Not as many people are out on the streets and sidewalks. So instead of having two special days together, like the American Saturday and Sunday(which I once thought the ENTIRE world did), Priluki has two “different” days separated by two normal days. Guess it breaks up the monotony of the work week. I like that idea. Regular living on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Go to church and spend time with family on Friday. Regular living on Saturday and Sunday, day of rest on Monday.
What do you think?
Anyway, these “pierogies” are filled with different types of fillings. For the sweet tooth, there is a fruit filling that tastes very much like apricot. Then there is a fish filling, also a meat filling of some sort (we can’t figure out WHAT type of meat this is), a potato filling (mashed potatoes). There is Rich’s favorite which is filled with chopped boiled eggs, onions, and chives. Then there is my favorite- fried cabbage, carrots, and onions, all perfectly seasoned and enrobed in fried dough. MMMMmmmmm……I have been eating these every morning for breakfast. Which would explain why, despite all the walking I am doing I am not losing weight here. I sometimes eat them for snacks too. And for lunch. And dinner. I’m bringing the recipe home so I can continue to eat like this and spread it to some of my friends and family also.
On our main street here in Priluki, there is a flower vendor right next to the pierogie ladies. There are flower vendors on sidewalks around the town. There are multiple flower shops- one on every corner! There are flowers everywhere here. Even in the most run-down apartment complexes, there will be beautiful flowers planted by the entrances. The people of Ukraine love flowers!
Back to our confusion of the weekly schedule in Ukraine: So in the USA, our days start earlier and they run much longer. Here in Priluki, most shops are closed by 6pm. The grocery stores stay open a little later than that, and of course restaurants and anywhere else that a person can “socialize” is open late. Here in Priluki, life is not dictated by the work schedule. Life is not dictated by making money, although money is certainly appreciated here! Life is more about the relationships one develops and has with others. People here will stop and talk for a very long time to someone that they meet on the street, even if they may have somewhere important to go. Co-workers just talk and talk and still get the job done. All the ladies who work at our hotel seem to be good friends and to enjoy each others company. We will walk into the hotel lobby and they will all be taking a break on the couches and just laughing and chatting way. Sometimes, one of them will be laying down and resting- in the middle of the day, on the couch in the lobby, while ON THE JOB!!! Would this ever happen in the US? Well, it might, but she wouldn’t keep that job. Here, it’s just life. Be relaxed, be friendly, enjoy life and don’t work yourself to death. Socialization is HUGE here. Yesterday, a sweet old man just talked our ears off while we were touring an old church. He just loved chatting with us and had a good story to tell. I sure wish we knew what he said…
(don't I look hot in my head covering? A must-wear in order to visit the Orthodox churches here)
Another confusing schedule issue….weekends. Apparently Fridays are Sundays. Around here, Fridays are special. New sidewalk stands appear with different types of baked goods appearing on the tables. The sidewalks get a bit crowded. We see more children than usual. We hear church bells that we haven’t heard all week. We see people actually go in those churches. It’s a busy day. Then it’s back to normal, Saturday and Sunday are like normal weekdays here.
And then there is Monday. Monday confuses me. It seems to be a day of rest here. The street market and some restaurants are closed on Mondays. It’s quieter around town. Not as many people are out on the streets and sidewalks. So instead of having two special days together, like the American Saturday and Sunday(which I once thought the ENTIRE world did), Priluki has two “different” days separated by two normal days. Guess it breaks up the monotony of the work week. I like that idea. Regular living on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Go to church and spend time with family on Friday. Regular living on Saturday and Sunday, day of rest on Monday.
What do you think?
Fridays were big days for weddings too. Each Friday we were in Ukraine we saw at least 2 or 3 brides. :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting about Friday/Monday. I prefer our weekends. I have noticed that some people seem hurried around me; perhaps, I have too much time to talk and visit??? Americans are schedule oriented. There's something to be said about QUALITY of life and SLOWING DOWN. I've really enjoyed being home with my girls; A slower pace of life really suits me :>). AMERICA is a VERY stressed nation, because we are too BUSY.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have more.... I've been wanting to make homemade Beignets, in fact, I tried homemade 'cake' buttermilk donuts last week, but I didnt like them. Krispy Kreme is much better. Those little fatty treats (pierogies) sound DEE LICIOUS!!!!!!!! I'm licking my chops. I think I'll make a milkshake for breakfast!
ReplyDeleteI like a slower pace of life - I like when I had the time to make beignets for my children. How long has it been, Lydia? We must make time to do it again. I would love to make some savory filled dough. The dough would be different from the beignet dough because the beignet dough is sweet. Let's have a frying day (not baking) this Fall and make some of these. Yum!
ReplyDeleteLove, Mama
I remember my grandmother making those when I was little. I loved them! She made all of the traditional meals..now it's my turn. Love the descriptions..I tell my grandmother about your trip every time you post. It brings her back to a long time ago. Thank you for letting us share the memories with you!
ReplyDeleteGod bless!
Can't wait to get there!!! My kind of livin! And isn't that what the Lord wants...less rush-rush, and more time for people. Jesus walked everywhere on foot and was never in a hurry, always had time to talk to whoever approached him...He was even delayed going to Jarius's daughter, and even Lazarus! Yes, less hustle and bustle, more of You, the One! Thanks, Lydia!
ReplyDeleteLove, Michele
isn't the Brawdy's Daisy from Priluki too?
ReplyDeletereminds me a little of Fuquay when I first moved here. I would get frustrated waiting for stores to open...between 9-10 and already been up for hours with babies. At 5 all the downtown was shut...always had to go to Cary or Garner...how times have changed. Glad Rich got home safely, I know the kids were excited to see him. Not much longer and you two will be home too!
ReplyDelete