Scenic Views of the Azov Sea

Last week we traveled to the Azoz Sea. It took 13 hours to get there by car and 17 hours to return home by train. The town where we stayed was only about 30 miles from the Russian border. Suffice to say, few were speaking Ukrainian down there. Below is a view of the sea from the apartment that we rented:

On a day that was cool and overcast, we decided to drive to beaches in the surrounding area. We found ourselves some lovely views.

Above it looks like I caught Roma mid-stretch; but I swear, I gave him ample opportunity to pose and this is what he gave me.

We found a cove where the wind was whipping and the "waves" were "pounded the shore"...

Vicka asked me if I wanted to swim here. It was chilly, so I said no. The prospect of the rest of the day cold & wet in the backseat of the car didn't appeal much to me. Vicka however, thought I was afraid of the waves . Nothing I could say would convince her otherwise. Maybe it's smug of me to say, but I thought that was sweet.

Playing at the Sea

Since returning from our four day adventure at the Azov Sea, I've repeatedly been asked the following questions:

Why are you still so white? (SPF 50, yo)

Didn't you get any sun at all? (I tried not to over expose myself, yo)

Weren't you at the sea last week? (Yes, all the while hiding under my hat, yo)
You tried to avoid extended exposure to the sun? (Did I studder, yo?)

I haven't had to face ridicule all by my lonesome. Roma didn't manage bake himself brown either. Mostly because I was constantly running at him with my bottle of SPF 30. Here we are enjoying the water:

I know, I know, there's a glare coming off my chest...but it didn't get me down.

When we weren't playing in the water, we could be found eating dried fish at one of the many beer tents sent up along the beach.

In the evenings, we walked along the main city strip and enjoyed the local color. One of the more peculiar sights would have to have been the "Disney" themed carnival rides. Rides included a merry-go-round with this cracked-out Donald Duck:

And a haunted house. What's that? A haunted house isn't that crazy, you say? True Disneyland has its own haunted mansion; but this haunted house was called "Welcome to Hell." Here are Boss and his friend's daughter, Dasha, with some scary monster... outside hell?? It's just not right. What would Mickey say?

Nestled amongst the rides were other "attractions." My favorite was the big balloon pictured below. Roma and Boss climbed in and gave it a good spin on the water.

They tried to keep the balloon wheel a-spinin, mostly though, they just fell on their rumps. I gave the balloon a-go myself & I must say, it was hard. I now have a whole new respect for mice and hamsters.

We also took time to hit up the arcades. Boss thought he had me beat at basketball with a high score of 36; but then I smoked him. With a score of 72.

See that focus? That intensity? That's what arcade basketball champions are made of, foks. (Pssst... Roma took this picture especially for you Grandpa Jack. He thought you'd appreciate my form.)

As you can see I brought a similar intensity and focus to air-hockey. Poor Boss, he didn't stand a chance.

(Do zoom in and check out my face. That, my friends, is what I like to call the "Sheri Mahaffey I'm-gunna-kick-your-butt-at-this-game-even-if-it-kills-me Face." I think I wear it well).

Tidbits & A 30th ANNIVERSARY!

We had a wonderful time with (Hugo) Boss and (Hugo) Vicka at the sea. Pictures and a more detailed account of our brief trip will be posted soon. However, in the mean time, a couple of tidbits:

Today
(in Ukraine, where it is already July 26th)
is my parent's 30th Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Momu & Papu!!
You guys are the best!

In other news:

My sister sent Veronika the cutest dress...

She flaunts it all over town.

Thanks Auntie Sarah!

In other less compelling news:

Last week Olechka and I made sushi.

It was delicious. I ate my weight in it.

In closing:

Roma and I are headed into Vinnystia today. The primary purpose of our trek into the big city is to pay a visit to Aunt Tanya (i.e. Val's mom). While there, we hope to track down our own sushi making supplies so we can make it for the family.

Also, Roma's grandfather did not have the operation after all. In the end, the doctor determined that grandpa was "too old" to survive even a small surgery. Instead, the doctors are trying him on some medication that should make it easier to use the restroom, but will not address the cancer.

OK.

Well...

That's all for now, folks.
Our love to all.

(Hugo) Boss Gets Married

How could I even begin to sum up Boss's wedding? Suffice to say it was a two day affair. (Are you noticing a trend here?) Suffice to say it took place on two of the hottest days of the year. (It was more than 100 degrees both days, people.) Suffice to say it felt every bit as hot as it was. (One hundred degrees!) BUT, it didn't matter because we still had a blast. Here is a photo recap of the wedding:

We arrived at Boss's house early Saturday morning and helped decorate cars.

Boss and Vika drove in seperate cars prior to the civil ceremony.

Before they could they could wed, Boss had to go and buy Vika from her family. Here he is with the equivalent of his best man.

Vika was veiled and waiting for her sweetie...

The civil ceremony lasted about twenty minutes. Here they are lighting a unity candle.

After the ceremony, we all cheered...

Then Boss and Vika spent two hours taking pictures. Here we are with the happy couple about an hour into their photo shoot. I imagine it was right about when their cheeks started to get stiff.

After the civil ceremony (and mid-photo session), we went to a restaurant and drank champagne. Before the bottle was opened, I snapped this great candid shot:

Boss appears to be wondering what exactly he's gotten himself into...

We then all caravanned to a shashleek joint outside of town. More champagne was cracked open. The bride and groom wrote down their dreams on a little piece of paper. This paper was snuffed inside a champagne bottle. Then two bottles were tied together with a ribbon and the best man thrust them up into a tree for all of eternity. (Or until the next storm blows through...)

It was then on to the reception. After Boss and Vika greeted all their guests, formal proceedings could begin. Here they are about to kiss the traditional wedding bread held by their parents...

Here is a shot of the bread up-close.

We were all more than ready to eat when we finally sat down. Dima especially. What then ensued was eating and toasting and more eating and more toasting and more eating and then...

It was outside into the heat for some dancing.

And some games...

And then more dancing...

The Voznyuks were there...

As was my buddy Olga. Here we are taking a much needed break from the dance floor while others continued to boogie.

Boss's dad tore it up. By the end of the wedding, he was pretty toasted.

And speaking of toasted, when we went back inside to do more eating, Roma and I were called up to the mic to give a toast. I got shy and made Roma say everything by himself.

The musicians came inside to livin things up...

And we joined Boss & Vika at the head table for while...

Then it was back outside where Vika sat on Boss's lap while her mother-in-law took off her veil...

And covered her head, symbolizing her transition to womanhood (or wifedom. Can say wifedom?)

Day one of the wedding ended soon-here-after.
It was way after midnight.

The next morning, Roma and I joined Vika and Boss at 8 AM (!!) for their church ceremony. Afterward, we went back to the reception hall for day two of festivities. Only the closest family and friends participated in day two.

In order to get into the reception hall, we had to "buy a ticket," which meant give some money to the couple and take a shot of vodka. Other than the entry fare, day two was like any other reception anywhere...

With cake...

And, you know, cross-dressing...

And then, because it was hotter than heck, we took our leftovers and went to the river.

(Note Boss's little brother on the right. How cute is he?)

We stayed at the river until the sun went down. Then, finally, we called it a day (and a wedding.) I was spent.

Forgive me for making this an epic post; however, Roma and I were invited to go to the sea with Boss and Vika and we leave tonight. Hence, I felt it essential to post everything today. Roma and I will be down in Crimea through Saturday and I doubt we'll have internet access. So sadly, you'll be without my updates this week...

On a serious tip:
Roma's grandpa was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He's having surgery on Tuesday. So please, if you will, keep him in your prayers.