Paska: The Sequel

So this is my second and final Paska aka Easter in Ukraine. And now that I am experiencing things for the second time around I have gotten smarter. Here's how:
First, "easter weekend" is not an official, but very institutionalized thing here in Ukraine. Last year I assumed that the dates posted on the teacher's room wall for Easter weekend were accurate. Oh how silly of me. Technically we only get the Monday after Easter off, but no one sends their kids to school or opens their businesses, government or otherwise on the Friday before or the Monday or Tusday after. And none of the shops where one might procure food are open at all on the weekend. Last year I learned this the hard way.
Laste year my friend Mandi came to visit on Easter weekend. We spent a lot of time with my host family and a lot just hanging out. We were going to see the host fam on Saturday in the early afternoon and wanted to bring a bottle of wine and some chocolate. But all the stores were already closed and remained closed for the next two days. So not only did Mandi and I not take anything to my host family we were also stuck eating what ever happened to be in my cupboards for the next two days.
This year my good friend Paul is coming down to see a real village Paska and I am so much the wiser. This morning I ran around purchasing anything we might need, including food and gifts for the host fam. I am also at the internet for the last time til Wednesday as that is the next day the internet club will be open.
This year Easter in the US and Paska (orthodox easter) here are on the same day, last year they were a week off. So Happy Easter. Hkristos Voskres(Christ is Risen). Enjoy your time with your family and hopefully great traditions and great weather.