Privet Violetta,

Hello to everyone reading these posts. Forgive any errors that I have made in my previous post. Leatherman multi-tools are made in the USA. These tools can be both small and inexpensive here. Often, they are virtually impossible to obtain at any price in Russia/Ukraine or elsewhere in Eastern Europe. As for the alcohol, I did not suggest bringing more than a single bottle. Like the Leathermans, there are excellent whiskies and bourbons made here. My experience in gift giving is that virtually anything made in the USA is welcome as long as careful thought and goodwill is involved. In any case, these are just suggestions that a Ukrainian Dad might like.

I agree that religion is something that should be discussed between a couple. My thought is that religion is not the best topic for discussion among a group of people. There are those that consider such a topic should remain private. Religion can be a very emotional matter which does not mix well with alcohol.)))

Politics. Many Americans do not understand American politics, let alone Ukrainian politics. Words like liberal, conservative, socialist, democratic and communism have very different meanings within families, let alone across oceans. Again politics is not a great mixer with alcohol.

History. Knowledge of history requires reading as many sides of a matter as possible. It is often a challenge to learn without coloring history in the context of the current moment. Some trivia questions for you: Can you name the American buried in the Kremlin wall in Moscow? Where was International Womens Day first celebrated? Where were Russian colonies or settlements in the USA during the 18th and 19th centuries?

My travels to Eastern Europe began in Prague, Czechoslovakia before the the Berlin wall came down. My first trip to Russia was in '99...visiting as often as possible since that time, 20+ trips. Most of my visits were in smaller cities, towns and villages.

My accommodations have ranged from luxury hotels, to family flats, wooden huts or izbas, orphanage dispensaries, to renting a hospital room from an MD who needed dollars to buy medical supplies he could not obtain with rubles. There have been times when I was the first American people had seen, let alone had a conversation. My friends include Afgantsy, desantniki, Orthodox Priests, University Lecturers, Farmers...I have also Ukrainian, Russian, and Moldovan friends here in the USA.

There is so much I do not know about your part of the world, Violetta. Please remember that only about 1% of American people have been abroad, not counting trips to Mexico or Canada.))) Also, only about 1% of Americans have served in uniform, so we have little personal experience of war. We do not know what it is to be invaded or conquered. We are not surrounded by enemies on every border. We have many customs and traditions because we are a nation made up of people from all over the globe. It must be a very small number of religions that are not practiced here in the USA? As for politics, I do not like governments. I do not like people who send the sons and daughters of other people off to fight. I like people. I admire intelligence, courage, beauty, ability and creativity. Nekulturny are not for me. I try not to be one. My hope is that my future Ukrainian family will welcome me. Always I want to be a good guest.

With warm regard,

Bill