Saying Goodbye

Yesterday some of the members of my English clubs...friends all... threw me a going away party and today I had to say my final goodbyes to them. It was really difficult...in fact, this whole week has been. These wonderful people have made my time here memorable. I think without them I would have been very lonely. I appreciate all of them and now I know, they appreciate me too. One of the real hardened old-timers who I never thought would ever be positive for Ukraine's future surprised me by hugging me and thanking me for helping them. As I looked at him I realized he was crying and for a Ukrainian man to do this on the street is unheard of. Normally very stoic and militant, Vlad revealed another side of himself and I am honored.