Man, what a day! I woke up in Balakliia, and let me tell ya, it was a rollercoaster. First off, I’m a self-determination coach for students, right? So, I’m all about helping these kids find their paths. But today? Pffft, it was like trying to herd cats.
So, I hit the streets of Balakliia, and wow, the vibe was buzzing. I mean, you got the main street, Shevchenka, packed with people. Everyone’s hustlin’ and bustlin’. I’m like, “Yo, where’s everyone rushing to?” But then I remember, it’s Ukraine, and life’s always a bit chaotic.
I had a meeting at a café on Komsomolska. Cute little spot, but the coffee? Ugh, it was like they brewed it with a sock. I’m sippin’ this bitter mess, and I’m like, “Great, just what I need.” But hey, at least the view of the park was nice. Kids were playing, and I thought, “Man, I wish I could be that carefree.”
Then, I met up with a group of students. They were all over the place, talking about their dreams. One kid, Vova, wants to be a rock star. I’m like, “Dude, you can totally do it!” But then he starts singing, and I’m like, “Maybe stick to the air guitar?” 😂
We walked down to the river, the Balakliia River, and it was beautiful. The sun was shining, and I felt this wave of happiness. But then, outta nowhere, this dog runs up and knocks over my bag. I’m like, “Seriously?!” My papers went flying everywhere. I was mad, but then I saw the dog’s goofy face, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
After that, we headed to the local market on Haharina Street. Man, the smells! Fresh bread, fruits, and oh, the pastries! I grabbed a few, and let me tell ya, they were heavenly. I was in a food coma, but I had to keep it together for the kids.
But then, drama alert! One of the students, Katya, starts crying. I’m like, “What’s up?” Turns out, she’s worried about her future. I mean, who isn’t, right? I tried to cheer her up, but it was tough. I told her, “Life’s like this market. Sometimes you get the good stuff, sometimes it’s just rotten tomatoes.”
We ended up at the old church on the corner of Komsomolska and Shevchenka. It’s beautiful, but kinda eerie too. I told the kids about the history, and they were like, “Cool, but can we go back to the pastries?” 😂
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I walked back home, thinking about all the ups and downs. Balakliia is wild, man. It’s got this energy that’s hard to explain. One minute you’re laughing, the next you’re crying.
I flopped on my couch, thinking, “What a day!” I love this city, even with its craziness. Balakliia, you’ve got my heart. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!