10 things I miss the most as a PCV
I've been in Ukraine now for 18 months and it has really been an interesting 18 months. I've learned a lot about myself and have a ton of great memories, but even though I do enjoy living in Ukraine, there are days where I really miss home, especially some of these thing.
1) Driving
I've gotten use to public transportation, but sometimes my life would just be so much easier if I had a car. It'd be easier to get around the country, go grocery shopping, to move - basically everything would be easier.
2) Trader Joes and Wegmans
I actually enjoyed grocery shopping in America. Everything is always well organize, aisles are wide, people (generally) don't shove you. Plus you can get essentially any food you want any time of the year despite if it's in season or not (even if it's kind of ridiculously expensive to buy strawberries in the middle of winter).
3) Tap water and ice
For any other PCV: you get this.
4) Delivery
Of any kind. Food. Amazon. Sometimes you just don't want to cook - those are nights for delivery food. Plus free two day shipping on practically anything you could ever want - oh I miss it.
5) Drive Throughs
For alcohol, meds, drinks, donuts, fries, you name it. I could run errands and not even have to get out of my car in the States.
6) American Customer Service
I've been to many different countries - but no place does customer service like the States.
7) Consistent A/C and Heat
All I want is for it to be absolutely freezing inside buildings when it's hot outside, is that too much to ask?
8) American food
Fried everything, hot sauce, good peanut butter, avocados, enormous delicious salads (with at least three different kinds of lettuce), breakfast sandwiches (bonus points if it's on a bagel), good tex-mex food, maple syrup (the only time I saw syrup here it was $15!!!).
9) Target
Target isn't just a store, it's an experience and way of life. And I miss it.
10) And of course: Family & Friends
You know in college when you spent the night studying instead of going out (I mean I don't know bc I never did that, but maybe you do) and you had that feeling of intense FOMO? Well it's way worse when you live 5000 miles away. Thankfully I've been fortunate enough to have some visitors (which you are always welcome to do!) and also had an unexpected trip home so I've been able to see many of my friends and family at least once in the past 18 months.