I went to the bank to get my money today, and the lady who usually serves us, asked me if I had learned more Ukrainian, then asked for how long I've lived here by now. She was super sweet, pointing out that my husband hasn't learned Danish either, even though the obvious reason for why I should learn Ukrainian, is because I live here. I told her that I'll practise before I see her next time, and surprise her. 😸
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This is a statue of a miner, given that Novovolynsk is a miners' town. There are still a few mines, but most of them have closed now. When my husband was young, he used to wonder what would happen when Novovolynsk runs out of coal, but the industry here has blossomed since then. There are likewise two statues of miners to each side of the Palace of Culture, to show all that the simple worker too is cultured.
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This is Taras Shevchenko, poet and writer. ʚ♡ɞ
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A stray dog was sunbathing next to Taras Shevchenko. 🌼🌼🌼
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Easter decorations. 🪺
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Fallen soldiers. These were here before Russia's full scale invasion, due to the war which started in 2014. The text translates to: "Glory to Ukraine – Glory to the Heroes", a phrase which can also be used as a greeting; when someone says: "Slava Ukraini", you should reply with: "Heroiam Slava".
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This is a picture of the street which leads into the small market in town – as opposed to the big market, which is many times larger. Vendors who don't own market stalls, will typically stand here and sell their wares.
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I bought strawberries, mussels & two types of seaweed salad + two sandwiches, one for me and one for my husband, to eat while enjoying the sun outside. 🌞🌞🍓
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I should not have photographed this, but since I did, I will post it too. You will notice a police car to the left, and a military jeep to the right – you will also see people kneeling on the street. This happens whenever a soldier from our town falls in the war, since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, February 24. Police cars, military jeeps, busses with soldiers, and an ambulance carrying the fallen soldier, will drive through town, sounding the alarm of the ambulance. When they drive past you, you gather on the side of the street and kneel, or at least stand up if you were sitting, to pay your respects. My husband and I stood up and came closer too, immediately after I took this picture. A woman who stood near us, took off her sunglasses and cried while watching them drive by. When this happens, a dark cloud forms above everyone present, on an otherwise clear sky.
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I will end this post on a positive note, with two pictures of a dog with a unique smile. ꨄ
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I hope you are all having a wonderful summer & will create memories to last for many years to come. 🌷🌷😽
