Western Ukraine Leadership Conference

We had a Western Ukrainian Leadership Conference and the night before we made reservations for everyone who where couple visiting here at the Golden Boar Restaurant. They have good food and it's not too expensive. Pres. and Sister Steinagel are in front with us and the Lackey's on the left and Elder and Sister Mikulin from the 70's and the Hinkles from Ivano Frankivski (couple Missionaries)on the right. And standing in the back is Oleskae, the driver for Pres. Steinagel. He translates a lot also, he got married not too long ago and they are expecting their first. We had about 80 people to the Conference. The Theme was Unity in Presidencies and Reactivation. We are needing this alot here. These Branches are so new and they are learning that the Branch President doesn't do everything, everyone has their own responsibilities. They're wonderful people.
Elder and Sister Mikulin and Sister Steinagel

Just an old couple that happened by.
Yes, this is the golden Boar. I guess when they were in the basement getting this ready they found a bunch of old relics of Boars so that's what they decided to call this restaurant. They have this hanging to one side of our table. It's quite the conversation piece.

Hair cut, and Marshootka ride

I hope you can see just how full they can get. When you want one to stop you just hold your arm straight out and they stop. It doesn't matter where on the street, they'll stop and let you off anywhere. You can get on in the back or the front but when they're this full you had better get in quick and suck in and hold on. The other day we where on one, it has 18 seats to sit on and I counted 43 people on it. Well when you get your feet set you tap the fellow in front of you and give him 1 1/2 grevan, and he hands it to the next person in front of him until it gets to the front. If you need change the driver, as he drives gets the change and hands it to someone and they just keep passing it back until you get it. Now these drivers are very talented because they watch to see who wants a ride, does all the bookkeeping , opens and closes the doors all while they drive the bus swerving in and out of traffic. Now to get that many people in one place when it is very hot and not any windows opened so you would notice, we hope we get there very soon.
The other day we jumped on a tram-vie (electric) train and it was just starting to rain so there were a lot of people all of sudden jumping on to get out of the rain. We had to get off and then it just poured, as we stood on the street under our umbrella we watched as hordes of people who were soaking wet jumped on the tram-vie, there wasn't room enough for even a child. I bet that smelled good. They sure move a lot of people though. But if the traffic is bad which is all the time, sometimes it's just faster to walk.

Well, it's always an experience to get my hair colored and done. I went at 5:00 and finished at 8:00, which isn't too bad but when you can't speak the language, it's a lot of sign language. I have a lot of things written down in a tablet like, just the roots, not too dark, cut, not too short, a little shorter here ect. Well, my husband always thinks it's too dark, so do I until I wash it and then it's not too bad. It's a good thing our hair will grow out or I would be in trouble. I think they now realize I'm from America and they can charge more so they do. I can't wait to get home to Stephanie to have my hair done but until then, it's o.k.