Merry Christmas!

Christmas is officially in the air in Chernivtsi.  There's a huge Rockefeller style tree on Saborna Square, lights hanging all over the city, and a nice layer of snow on the ground.  However, Christmas isn't on the 25th here.  Most people celebrate Christmas on January 7th.  This means that the 25th is just another day in Ukraine.  Also, I've been told that New Years is a bigger celebration that Christmas in Ukraine. 
In other news, I'm heading up to Kiev this afternoon to pick up my brother and sister from the airport.  Unfortunately I won't actually reach Kiev until early Tuesday morning.  That means that I'll be cooped up on a train for 15 hours.  I plan on sleeping through most of it, but people might have other plans for me. 
Once I pick them up we'll being heading out on another train to L'viv, where we'll spend a few days.  Then we'll head back to Kiev and have Christmas there.  There's a lot that could go wrong so everyone should keep me in their prayers.
Anyway, I promised a Christmas photo.  

Obviously it's a blue Christmas without you all.  Oh, and I bought that ornament specially for this photo.  It was pretty embarrassing buying it.  The look the cashier gave me was priceless.  Have a good Christmas and try and make the most of it even though I won't be there.  Don't forget to comment!