Handmade glas Christmas ornaments

The French ladies had organized a bus and it was full!

We drove 45 minutes north east to Ljublanka. There, a manufactory for glas balls was set up a couple of years a go and is apparently very succesful with clients in Ukraine and Western Europe. (phone of the director +380674445316)

First, the glass is heated and blown into shape by three ladies

Then, the balls are lined with silver from the inside. The technique is rather intriguing, with a lady punpming a liquid into the balls and then swaying them in a tub with warm water. Out comes a silver ball.

Storage place for the colours and the paint

And at the end of this process are the painters, who really do all the decorating by hand. Very impressive handy work!

The World in Kyiv

Every year, the IWCK (International Women's Club of Kyiv) organizes a charity Bazar, where countries present themselves and sell specialities for a good cause. This year, it was on December 6th.
Two stands were very close to home....... as you can see:

The French showed off the one really important culinary speciality that makes this great country stand out (and carried Sylvie through childhood): Carambar!

The Dutch had a special thought for Tina and positioned their country as what it is: all cheese (don't even think this sentence in German....!)

The event was a big success, the expat community was there but not just them: it was packed!