Friday morning the English teachers entered the teachers lounge wondering what the day would bring. We knew that it would not be a normal day: there were no classes, and there were many distinguished visitors coming to the school. As we sat at one of the desks discussing whatever mundane topic happened to come up with one of the bilingual Ukrainian English teachers, another teacher (the geography teacher I think) came up collecting money. It was at this time we found out about, and were invited to, the teachers' end of the year party.
These parties are apparently very popular among Ukrainians and are similar to our "Corporate parties" in US businesses. Apparently each part of the school has their own: the kitchen staff, the janitorial staff, the teachers, etc. The English teachers said we would think about it and give them our answer later that day (it would cost 350 hryvnia, so there were already those who would say no immediately). I, for one, wanted to go.
When we talked it over, it turned out that the other guy teacher (one other has since arrived) would go if I went, but none of the other teachers wanted to even entertain the idea of going. They were just going to send a response saying that none of us were going without actually consulting with us guys first! I did manage to get my wishes out before they could, so I was able to send a message saying I was going.
The time had been moved forward by about an hour and many of the teachers who were going to go backed out at the last minute. I am not quite sure why that happened, but perhaps it was that there was a 9am meeting Saturday morning that we were all required to attend. Either way, instead of a bus we were told we would be taking, we went in a couple of cars instead. Also, the price had increased from 350 to 400 UAH! While that is only about $16.90, it seemed like a steep increase ... and then I saw the spread!
There were meat dishes, lots of different types of fish, some vegetables, and drinks. There were many speeches, and then much rejoicing (i.e. dancing)! I was not too fond of the dancing, in general, but there were parts that were fun. Mainly, people would dance around in a circle, so it was a bit more organized in that way than what one would experience elsewhere. They introduced my colleague and I to a couple of traditional Ukrainian dances which were quite exciting. The other teachers were incredibly welcoming, but it was difficult talking with them given the language barrier. I am working on it, but not anywhere near where I need to be as of yet.
Unfortunately, there was a bit too much imbibing on the part of my colleague, so he made some of the same mistakes that would be made at a Christmas party in the US... I was a bit embarrassed to be linked with him at those moments :( . When we left, we took a taxi with 3 other teachers. This meant that one of them was sitting on my lap for the entire 30 - 40 minute trip back home. Conversations, which I didn't understand, were in abundance, and more embarrassing remarks were made by my colleague. We finally arrived home, and the Ukrainian teachers told us that the fair for the taxi was a gift from the school (I was able to look that up later).
Definitely a night to remember ... I just hope they haven't linked my colleague and I together too closely. Our behaviors are so different, and I don't want to be known by his! (I made it to the meeting on Saturday, so I was doing something right!)
These parties are apparently very popular among Ukrainians and are similar to our "Corporate parties" in US businesses. Apparently each part of the school has their own: the kitchen staff, the janitorial staff, the teachers, etc. The English teachers said we would think about it and give them our answer later that day (it would cost 350 hryvnia, so there were already those who would say no immediately). I, for one, wanted to go.
When we talked it over, it turned out that the other guy teacher (one other has since arrived) would go if I went, but none of the other teachers wanted to even entertain the idea of going. They were just going to send a response saying that none of us were going without actually consulting with us guys first! I did manage to get my wishes out before they could, so I was able to send a message saying I was going.
The time had been moved forward by about an hour and many of the teachers who were going to go backed out at the last minute. I am not quite sure why that happened, but perhaps it was that there was a 9am meeting Saturday morning that we were all required to attend. Either way, instead of a bus we were told we would be taking, we went in a couple of cars instead. Also, the price had increased from 350 to 400 UAH! While that is only about $16.90, it seemed like a steep increase ... and then I saw the spread!
There were meat dishes, lots of different types of fish, some vegetables, and drinks. There were many speeches, and then much rejoicing (i.e. dancing)! I was not too fond of the dancing, in general, but there were parts that were fun. Mainly, people would dance around in a circle, so it was a bit more organized in that way than what one would experience elsewhere. They introduced my colleague and I to a couple of traditional Ukrainian dances which were quite exciting. The other teachers were incredibly welcoming, but it was difficult talking with them given the language barrier. I am working on it, but not anywhere near where I need to be as of yet.
Unfortunately, there was a bit too much imbibing on the part of my colleague, so he made some of the same mistakes that would be made at a Christmas party in the US... I was a bit embarrassed to be linked with him at those moments :( . When we left, we took a taxi with 3 other teachers. This meant that one of them was sitting on my lap for the entire 30 - 40 minute trip back home. Conversations, which I didn't understand, were in abundance, and more embarrassing remarks were made by my colleague. We finally arrived home, and the Ukrainian teachers told us that the fair for the taxi was a gift from the school (I was able to look that up later).
Definitely a night to remember ... I just hope they haven't linked my colleague and I together too closely. Our behaviors are so different, and I don't want to be known by his! (I made it to the meeting on Saturday, so I was doing something right!)
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