When in Ukraine..

Do as the Ukrainians do.. probably the craziest and wildest thing I've ever done. 

So here in Ukraine today is a holiday. Today is the day of Christ's baptism according to the Ukrainian Orthodox church. If you get water from anywhere, tap, spring, river, etc. you put it in a bottle and supposedly it won't go green all year long. You also go to the river and dunk yourself. (its about -10 Celsius or 14 Fahrenheit)  Lena told us all about it last night and said that the people are absolutely crazy who go through with it. As we were touring one of our coordinators took us to the spot where everyone was jumping in. Since it was our last stop of the day.. I BEGGED her to let me do it. She at first she had some hesitation and said no, but after some peer pressure from me, Emma, and Jaime, she finally let us do it.

At first this was just my sad face infront of the water because she said that it was not permitted. She then tried to convince us that women weren't allowed to go in, in anything except a bathing suit. Then after seeing a few very large women in their braziers go dunk themselves I was kind of put out. She then gave in (which I kind of feel bad about.. but I have NO regrets, after all these people sometimes will not put ice in their water in fear of getting sick) but I think she was just worried because we were all foreigners.

Large woman in her underwear

Another large woman... 
and a man who just exited the water.. as you can see. 

We kind of got a group once the Ukrainians noticed that Americans were doing it. I got all scared and was kinda confused as they all laughed and watched. There is more to that story, but you'll have to ask me about that.

It was SO fun though. So cold.. but the adrenaline helped A LOT. I have no regrets and I would do it again. When in Ukraine.. do as the [crazy] Ukrainians do.