Training Events
After our visit to our sites, we headed back up to another training where we would talk more indepth about completing certain responsiblities our various sites demand of us. At first it was exciting to an extent, the possibility of reconnecting with folks that we haven't seen in awhile, hanging out with other people besides clustermates, and just being someplace different where you don't have to speak Russian or Ukrainian all day.
Unfortunately, everyone gets sick at this Soviet Sanatorium, and especially unfortunately this time around a group of us ended up encountering an unsavory character which caused for extreme amounts of drama and someone going in for backup. No one was hurt, and women were not even involved and there was no violence, but it was uncomfortable, unpleasant, and well, sucked, since some of us wanted to be like Spike Lee and "Do the Right Thing," which we felt was to report the problem to PC so that they could tell others about it, the next division of my entire group (29) being much younger, and more prone to alcohol and questionably violence.
After that, our toilet stopped working properly and smelled to high heaven. But the showers were hot.
Finally, on our last day they took to a Kyiv metro stop where we were supposed to lug all of our stuff back to the PCHQ, I went with an early group since I was supposed to get some more shots. (Honestly, that is what being in the PC is all about---getting various flu shots and hep shots and shots for shots.) On the way there, after we changed lines, the Metro was crowded and half of our group took one train, while the rest of us waited for another one. I got into the same car about about 4 or 5 other volunteers, but I was all the way in the back, where there was room. I looked over at one point on our travels, just one stop, and could see a PCT's blue hat and thought everything was okay. However, as I got off the train, I noticed the entire group hauling two trainee's out of the place and their luggage. An older PCT just exclaimed that she was pickpocketed and had her documents stolen. Apparently three men just cornered her in the crowd and pushed up against her and away from the nearest PCT. And yep, they took her stuff. She was okay though.
We went back to our headquarters and she met with our safety and sercurity dude, who by now I was getting a picture of exactly how busy he must work. He was able to retrieve her documents, but not the cash.
No one ever said that Ukraine was a safe place to live, or that America was, but it was totally in your face this past week for some of us, and I am tired.
When we all happily arrived back in our training town, I got a taxi with another PCT who lives in the same building as me. When we got home, I offered him the 5 gry, and he just said no, and left. It was great to be home.
Unfortunately, everyone gets sick at this Soviet Sanatorium, and especially unfortunately this time around a group of us ended up encountering an unsavory character which caused for extreme amounts of drama and someone going in for backup. No one was hurt, and women were not even involved and there was no violence, but it was uncomfortable, unpleasant, and well, sucked, since some of us wanted to be like Spike Lee and "Do the Right Thing," which we felt was to report the problem to PC so that they could tell others about it, the next division of my entire group (29) being much younger, and more prone to alcohol and questionably violence.
After that, our toilet stopped working properly and smelled to high heaven. But the showers were hot.
Finally, on our last day they took to a Kyiv metro stop where we were supposed to lug all of our stuff back to the PCHQ, I went with an early group since I was supposed to get some more shots. (Honestly, that is what being in the PC is all about---getting various flu shots and hep shots and shots for shots.) On the way there, after we changed lines, the Metro was crowded and half of our group took one train, while the rest of us waited for another one. I got into the same car about about 4 or 5 other volunteers, but I was all the way in the back, where there was room. I looked over at one point on our travels, just one stop, and could see a PCT's blue hat and thought everything was okay. However, as I got off the train, I noticed the entire group hauling two trainee's out of the place and their luggage. An older PCT just exclaimed that she was pickpocketed and had her documents stolen. Apparently three men just cornered her in the crowd and pushed up against her and away from the nearest PCT. And yep, they took her stuff. She was okay though.
We went back to our headquarters and she met with our safety and sercurity dude, who by now I was getting a picture of exactly how busy he must work. He was able to retrieve her documents, but not the cash.
No one ever said that Ukraine was a safe place to live, or that America was, but it was totally in your face this past week for some of us, and I am tired.
When we all happily arrived back in our training town, I got a taxi with another PCT who lives in the same building as me. When we got home, I offered him the 5 gry, and he just said no, and left. It was great to be home.
posted by Molly | 2:00 PM
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