Driving rules and guidelines

We're just counting down the days now... Tuesday we pick up Daniel from the Orphange and then we're off to Kiev! We are SO READY!

Papa replaced the training wheel on the bike today - which wouldn't be a big deal if he actually had his tools. Anyhow... we love the bike shop man here in town. He has been so generous and nice to us. He knows that we're doing all of this for the orphanage and has given us price breaks, etc. He charged me about 60 cents for the new wheel and bracket for example. As a result, we've been sure to fully support the toy store he also owns around the corner.

We also went to the 3-lane bowling alley today. The place is very nice - everything looks brand-new including the shoes and balls. The attendant even gave us brand-new socks to wear. For Ukraine, the prices are a bit high which could explain the lack of use. For an hour's use of a lane, the price is about $12 (which includes the shoes and socks by the way). Anyhow, it's been over five years since we've been bowling and it showed. Whoa. We are NOT ready for the PBA!


Tomorrow is church, of course, and we're supposed to go out to lunch with the pastor, the pastor's wife, and the Czeropski's afterwards. That'll be very nice I'm sure.

Kelly and I have been batting around the idea of going to the internet cafe tomorrow night to watch the Cards game. Who knows? It's going to be late (1130pm tipoff).

Oksana arrives back here on Monday. We're so glad that she had the opportunity to visit with her family and help them through the flu. It will be nice to have her here too, although we've managed well and Simone has taken great care of us.


Driving in Ukraine is a bit different (not necessarily worse nor better) than the US. Here is a brief list of the differences we've seen:

1) Parking on the sidewalks is not only okay, but encouraged.

2) Driving on the sidewalks is apparently okay also.

3) Pedestrians often walk down the middle of the street even though there are sidewalks. This rule doesn't apply in Kiev, though.

4) If you want to thank the driver behind you (for letting you in, etc.), you briefly flash your hazard lights.

5) You NEVER run a yellow light because...

6) It is completely expected that you will IMMEDIATELY go when the light turns green

7) It is okay to pass multiple cars in a row - particularly if there is a line of Ladas and Soviet-era trucks. Ladas are far-and-away the predominant make of car in Ukraine. Most of them putt around at about 20mph or so.

8) "Lanes" are purely used as guidelines. You go wherever the smoothest route presents itself. Potholes are huge and numerous and drivers take great pains to avoid them if possible. Often we have been facing oncoming traffic head-on and they go into "our" lane to avoid hitting us - so briefly we know what it's like to drive in England.

9) Seatbelts are not required and seem to be taboo. Child safety seats do not exist.

10) There no emission standards apparently - see the note about the Soviet-era trucks and Ladas. Whew!

11) If you see a car with a white triangle sticker with a "y" in it on the rear window, it is a student driver. I don't think I've seen one on the road going over 10mph.

12) While all of the driving seems a bit chaotic, we have yet to see a traffic accident. The only thing we've seen is a tractor-trailer that cut a turn too sharply and creamed a parked car.

13) Scooters aren't very common, but almost everytime we've seen one there has been a toddler riding on it in front of the adult.

14) Unlike western Europe, you needn't be concerned with cyclists. They are quite uncommon.

15) While stray cats and dogs are everywhere, they really seem to be aware of cars and are careful to avoid them. We were told today that the ones in Odessa actually can tell if a light is green or red. That could be an urban legend, but I guess we'll see for ourselves on Tuesday when we go get Daniel's birth certificate.

16) Traffic is never bad - there are few cars per capita and most folks use mass transit or walk. Once again - this doesn't apply to Kiev where we've sat in gridlock for about 45 minutes.

Anyhow, I'm sure there's more than the list above, but I'm remembering these off the top of my head.