We had a snowstorm on Monday and threw things out of schedule.  Here is the first of my articles about my memories of Ivano-Frankivsk.

Memories of Ivano-Frankivsk

I was in the United States Peace Corps from 2008 to 2010.  I had training in   and in June went to Ivano-Frankivsk.  My first impression was what a beautiful city it was.  The first thing I remember was the two statues in front of the government building and the wonderful fountain that you could walk under.

I was with a tourist development agency and they helped me get an apartment.  It was wonderful.  I was on the third floor and it had a balcony.  I had many friends visit there and in fact I remember 12 years ago for Thanksgiving, an American holiday, and there were 12 people at my place overnight.  I had a place later that was a house with a second floor that I liked very well and had about 15 people overnight one time.  

There is something that I found a little unusual because I had taken it for granted.  Everybody said the people at the train station were the best they had ever seen.  They were courteous, friendly, and extremely helpful.   They all wished that they could have people like them in their towns.  I remember a man talking about how a woman at the station had helped him with a ticket.  He said he would never have gotten help like that at his city.  The train station people are an unbelievably asset for the city, and they are to be commended.  They are the best.

Another group of people that every was impressed by and liked were the taxi drivers.  I heard so many people say so many times that they were courteous and immensely helpful.  I remember a girl who said that they were the best taxi drivers in all of Ukraine.  She had traveled many places and praised Ivano-Frankivsk.  

There are many places to buy food.  There are small shops and a large market that was very impressive.  I lived on Dovha and there was a market close by that was very modern and we bought a lot of food there.  There was also a small market that was very handy and filled our needs. There was also a large market that I had to take a city bus to.  I think it was called METRO.  It is a German owned company with stores in many countries.  My friends who came to visit were extremely impressed by it.  The lumber place was also great.  It had many tools there and I bought a drill.   

There are many excellent places to eat.  There was a small restaurant where we had to walk up some steps to enter.  When we got inside, we had to place our order and the counter and wait for a number to be called.  I had many people request to go there because they liked the food so much.  I remember it for the soup that they served.  Something I miss about Ukraine is borscht.  I cannot find any like it here and I miss it so much.  This place was my favorite. 

In the summer there were tents set up and one time had had many people to visit and we were sent to a place that had a room we could have to ourselves.  The food was excellent, and everybody loved the place.  The fountain had tents in the summer that were extremely popular.

Something else I did was go to movies.  There are two theaters and I mostly went to the one closest to the fountain.  I loved it.  The seats were comfortable, and the sound was great.  I enjoyed it very much.  I also went to the theater where there were live concerts.  This had old world charm and I found it enjoyable.

When it comes to entertainment, one of the most thrilling events for me was the blacksmith festival.  I had friends come to visit and we had an enjoyable time.  The girls also bought handmade jewelry.  I was surprised at how many countries were represented there.  

There was something else that my friends loved.  That was the Christmas lights on the Main Street.   I had two people come to visit one night and I met them at the train station, and I suggested that we walk up that street.  They were super impressed by it.  It was a wonderful night; it was not too cold and there was a little snow in the air.  What a wonderful experience.    Something I did that I remember very much with happy memories was taking a ride in a horse drawn carriage during Christmas.  I remember the sound of the driver telling the horses to go and hearing the clop, clop, clop on the street.  Christmas was a wonderful time and I remember seeing a Christmas play on the streets. 

There is also another business that was extremely helpful and that was Ducha Bank.  All Peace Corps money came through them, and they were very understanding and helpful.  They helped my friends, and everyone liked their assistance.

I especially liked the library.  That is where there was “Windows on America” and I would go there one day of the week and help with English lessons.  This was my favorite experience in Ukraine because I got to know so many people there. 

My friend from Kolomyia and I used to visit a fellow Peace Corps person who was at the University.  What I remember the most was the wonderful walk to her place.  We went through a park and then on to the dormitory to visit here.  One winter night was an especially beautiful night with snow on the ground. 

My memories of Ukraine are wonderful.  The places to visit, the shops to go to and the food to eat but the best was the people.  I love and miss them very much. I wish I could go back and visit some summer but now with covid-19 and my age (I am 75) I do not believe I will be able to.  I have a warm place in my heart for Ivano-Frankivsk.  I love you.