Man, what a day! Seriously, I’m still reeling from it. So, I’m in Starokozache, right? This little gem of a town in Ukraine. I mean, who knew? I’m here as a Visiting Prof, but today felt like a rollercoaster. Buckle up!
First off, I wake up late. Classic me. Alarm? What alarm? I jump outta bed, throw on whatever I can find. I’m talking mismatched socks and a shirt that’s seen better days. I rush outta my place on Shevchenka Street, and let me tell ya, the morning air hits different here. It’s fresh, but also kinda smells like… well, let’s just say it’s a mix of flowers and something else.
I grab a coffee from this cute little café on the corner of Haharina Street. The barista, bless her heart, is super friendly. She’s like, “You want sugar?” I’m like, “Nah, I’m sweet enough.” She laughs, and I feel like a local already.
So, I head to the university, right? It’s a small campus, but the vibe is chill. I’m teaching this class on Eastern European literature. Half the students are glued to their phones. I mean, c’mon! I’m pouring my heart out here! But then, one kid raises his hand. “Prof, what’s your take on Gogol?” And I’m like, “Finally! Someone’s awake!” We dive into this epic convo about absurdity in his work. I’m pumped!
But then, bam! Fire alarm goes off. Total chaos. Students are scrambling, I’m trying to keep my cool. We all pile out onto the street, and I’m thinking, “Great, just great.” Turns out it was a false alarm. Phew! But I’m still a bit rattled.
After class, I decide to explore. I stroll down to the Dnister River. It’s beautiful, like postcard material. I sit on a bench, just soaking it all in. Then, this old dude comes up to me. He’s got this wild beard and a twinkle in his eye. He starts telling me about the history of Starokozache. Apparently, it’s got roots going back centuries. I’m like, “Wow, I didn’t sign up for a history lesson, but I’m here for it!”
But then, outta nowhere, it starts pouring. I mean, like, monsoon level. I dash for cover under a tree, but it’s not helping much. I’m soaked! I’m laughing at myself, thinking, “This is how you get pneumonia, buddy.”
Finally, the rain lets up. I’m wandering around, and I stumble upon this little market on Soborna Street. Fresh produce everywhere! I grab some cherries. They’re juicy and sweet. I’m munching away, feeling like a king. Then, I see this guy selling handmade crafts. I can’t resist. I buy this quirky little wooden thing. No idea what it is, but it’s cool.
As I’m heading back, I pass by a group of kids playing soccer. They’re having a blast, and I can’t help but smile. I join in for a bit, and let me tell ya, my soccer skills are rusty. But they don’t care. They’re just happy to have someone to kick the ball around with.
By the time I get back to my place, I’m exhausted but happy. I flop onto my bed, thinking about how wild today was. Starokozache, you’ve got my heart. I mean, who knew a little town could pack such a punch?
So, yeah, that was my day. Full of surprises, laughter, and a bit of chaos. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!