I visited the villages of Narizhzhya (population 300) and Novyi Kalkaiv (population 30) (about a 4 hour car ride from Kyiv) this past weekend and it was humbling to see how villagers live. We were welcomed with food, beds, and warm smiles.
bus stop ~ автобусна зупинкаbicycle ~ велосипедKatya and her cat. Unlocking the basement door to take steps down to pickled tomatoes.Kitchen in the ‘summer house,’ separate from the main house.Ducks ~ качкиCheese dumplings ~ пельмені з сируTomatoes ~ помідори
BorschtCabbage dumplings ~капустяні пельменіKatya’s farmhouse.A kalunya (sp), hut, where she keeps hay.
Organic cherry tomatoes.With beetroot for the rabbits.
The next morning I walked out of the main house to this scene ~ cleaning onions Katya’s favorite cake from Kyiv, a special treat for her.For breakfast, last night’s cheese dumplings, fried. Awesome. Delicious ~ смачноBreakfast spread: coffee, dumplings, jam, sour cream, and cakeThis cabinet is over 100 years old and was a gift from her best friend of 60 + years, whose childhood home, it used to be in.
with humility and gratitudeThe doorway into another meal in another village: Novyi Kalkaiv. The husband and wife who live here, are 2 of the 30 people living in the village.A meal of kapusnyak (Ukrainian sauerkraut soup) and stuffed red peppers.In Luda’s kitchen.
