WELCOME TO OUR NEW "UKRAINIAN CHRONICLES" BLOG! Yeah!
With all the demands on time, and with the technology limitations on sending attachments in the old MS Windows dot.doc format for all to receive, we decided to switch to a "blogger" format. This not only enables everyone to easily access the "Chronicles," but allows us to post as we have something we hope is interesting for you and not wait to "save them all up." It also allows you to comment on what we send you whether it is boring (boos are not allowed, though) ;-( , funny, touching, or hopefully interesting.
So, that said, I wanted to write a comment about the very strange affinity Ukraine has for odd numbers and the superstitions about even ones. That is, the apartments and other buildings are normally built in odd numbers of stories. i.e. 9-15-25 and so on. Our apartment building is 9 floors and all those around are the same. Nearby larger ones are 25 stories. The National Opera house has three levels. Even numbers are supposed to be bad luck, although some of the smaller "magazin" stores now are only two levels. No, 13 is not considered an unlucky number here, or at least we have not seen that it is. I guess that is simply an American superstition, maybe from Britain originally. Flowers are supposed to be purchased in odd numbers, NOT even. Even numbers are considered bad luck there, too. So, when you buy your beloved roses, or any stemmed flowers, you buy 1-3-5-7-9-11-13 and so on. That is the complimentary gift. Otherwise, you are wishing him or her bad luck...not something to do with flowers.
So when you come to Ukraine, remember, don't expect the top floor to be even, or hope to get a dozen roses...it's a very "odd" arrangement here all around!
PS. Next time I'll tell you about how buildings are numbered according to the streets...that you will REALLY love.
