Here are some interesting facts that we have realized while being in Ukraine. I will add more as I think of them.
- Sometimes you have to pay to use the toilet. Cost is 1.5 grivnas; which equates to about 19 cents. And don't expect there to be toilet paper.
- There are security guards in the grocery stores and they watch you like a hawk and follow you around the store! And you have to pay for grocery carts and plastic bags (kinda like Aldi's).
- On the train, when you flush the toilet, it just dumps out on the tracks. So, you can't go to the bathroom when the train stops!
- The kitchens in the apartments don't generally have ovens and sometimes only two small burners on the stove top. Some apartments don't even have a freezer.
- Ukrainians like to drink and smoke. A lot. And beer is cheap, so no wonder. You can get a bottle of beer for 6 grivna; which equates to about 75 cents.
- Eating out at restaurants is really cheap. Danny, Coby and I eat out at restaurants for an average of 225 grivna; which equates to about $28. That includes tip! When we eat at the cafeteria style Ukrainian Buffet, it averages $5-6 US per person!
- Tipping at restaurants is 5-10%. Whaaat?!?! No way! We have been tipping 15-20% because we want our servers to be blessed.
- Doctors and teachers are some of the lowest paid professions! Yep - doctors!
- You can cram a lot of people onto a bus. Most of their buses are actually 18 passenger Sprinters but we counted a total of 31 or 32 people one time. Imagine being in the back seat and having to get off at the next stop!
- The bathtubs don't always have a shower curtain.
- There are stray dogs all over the place.
- In Kiev (and maybe other places, too), there are characters that walk around asking you to take a photo with them. After you do, they will suggest that they take your camera and take a photo of you. Then, they will ask for money. If you do not pay them, they will threaten to keep your camera.
More interesting facts:
- It isn't odd to see people advertising their business by spray painting it on sidewalks and buildings. What's the fine for that in America?
- Why are there lines on the road? For lanes? Not in Ukraine. Not sure what the purpose for the lines is.
- Gas is $5.50/gallon. I was complaining about ours being $3.50+ per gallon before we left!
- There are lockers in the grocery stores. If you have a bag, you must lock it up before entering the store.
- All restaurants that we've been to take your coat and hang it either in a closet or on a coat rack. Well, every restaurant except McDonald's!
- Speaking of McD's....don't get the McChicken here....not sure why it is so different than in America. Well, I haven't eaten at McD's in years, so maybe I just don't know but it was nasty!
Those characters threatened to keep my camera, which had all my pics from the trip since we were on our way out. They also had their hands on my son, so they are lucky I didn't punch them in the nose! I had to pay 200 grivna, which was down from their original challenge!
ReplyDeleteIn Vietnam, I learned the hard way that while you are being bombarded by peddlers, never say "maybe" or "maybe later". It's as good as saying yes and it creates a huge scene if you don't buy whatever you thought you were blowing off. People offering you their items as props for your photograph means you are expected to pay a tip.
ReplyDeleteThe trains in Switzerland also have the rule of not using the bathroom while it's stopped.