Random Observations

Random observations made while living and traveling in E. Europe:

1)You must always ask and pay for your condiments at fast food restaurants. You'd think I'd get used to it, but I haven't.
2)It is very strange and surprising to have hot milk with your cereal(Poland)
3)It is equally strange to order milk at a restaurant and it be hot(Romania)
4)McD's is way better over here than in the US. Classier, too.
5)I actually crave certain types of meat that I can't get in Ukraine(ground turkey, really good quality sausage)
6)Ukrainian trains are way cheaper than the trains in the rest of Europe- and I get to sleep laying down!
7)English is indeed an international language, but usually only in the big cities
8)Though many people in E. Europe understand Russian(because of the occupation), they don't want to speak it(because of the occupation)
9)Americans are thought of as VERY loud. They are. I have become much quieter since living here.
10)Every single country over here has its own identity and pride in itself. It's a fascinating thing to see, considering how often each was occupied.
11)Strange food is only strange to the people who aren't used to it. I met someone recently who thought a hamburger was strange. It gave me new perspective.
12)Every country has its own particular beauty. What a beautiful world in which we live!
13)Knowing more than one language is completely normal over here. In fact, many people know three, if not more. And know them well.
14)Romanian is a lovely language that I feel like I should understand(because of its similarities to Spanish); Hungarian sounds like nothing else; Slovakian sounds like Polish; Polish sounds like a Ukrainian with his mouth full of bread; Ukrainian sounds like a drunk Russian; and Russian has become a welcome sound to my ears.