Lviv!

Some quick pictures of our day-trip to Lviv. I would have loved to give some backgrounder to this city. What site for WW2 history buffs! (not mention for students of nationalism). Alas, I'm too excited for the upcoming trip to Romania and just can't settle down to write. So here are some picks

Mary, Eric, and Masha at the top of Lviv Hill. Here Ukrainian UPA independence soldiers tried to fend off both the Nazis and the incoming Soviets. (!!!)

Never forget to stretch

Mary weird neck

Revered Poet Ivan Franko

Some cool cats

Nature day!

Here are some pictures from a bike and hike trip our last day off. It was a lovely jaunt through the beech tree forest to top of one of the nearest foothills.

A snake!

Beautiful Bug crosses our path

This bug is so cool, it warrants two pictures

This region has gotten so much rain that the beech forests are oozing with snails

We are almost at the top!

a perfectly placed one-man swing

Mary at the top! (The top turned out to be a cut-block! Strange how comforting it was. I can attest that that piece was definitely cream.)

Back down the hill, on our bikes, and almost home!

Ruslana and Eric

Thank god Ruslana's a great listener!

it was SO quiet in there...really great

ahhhh, Carpathians!

Neighbours

Eric cursing his crappy shoes

Ruslana's home

This one's for the Moms in our lives: fresh, wild oregano...hmmmmm

So thats a wee window into life deep in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Pretty fabulous! We walked and walked through forests, fields, past old abandoned houses and away from ceaslessly barking dogs. Its an amazing place! Ruslana, our new-found friend from the local corner store, invited us into her home for a few days. She's an amazing girl, so patient with our crappy language, and SO welcoming! We love her! Its true!

Hugs and kisses to you all.

Do not despair!!

Dearest Readers,

Terribly sorry for the spotty blogging. Eric and I are overwhelmed with everything you can do on the internet, and amidst all this activity, www.epik-and-mepi has sadly been overlooked. But not for long!!! That's right, be patient, and soon you'll hear, and see, ALL about our adventures through the Carpathians, into the western city of Lviv, and much much more!

One more month left here, and life's pretty busy with ceaseless job applications (cursed personal statements will soon be the death of me!), and for Eric, emailing all his academic heroes in the study of nationalism, and whipping his class of vixens into shape for the looming final exam. And what a sorry shape they're in (tee hee)!

Until soon!!
E + M