1 SDA- Remember to be courteous, friendly, and dress nicely. Think of it as, at minimum, a meeting with your boss.

2. Do not compare the US with the conditions in Ukraine. They know we have it better and do not need to hear this over and over. If there is no airconditiong then purchase a fan. Leave it for the next couple or your host. Yucky toliets? Make do or hold it. They live with these conditions everyday. I made sure I had hot water. I just stressed I would pay the difference for lodging with hot water. I have always had hot water because there are apartments you can rent with individual heaters. 

3. You will see trees painted with white everywhere.  

4. Follow your facilitator and/or translator's advice. This is their job so be courteous and listen. Listen to your translators and tip them well. This is their job and they are very hard- working. Especially, if they spend their whole day sight seeing with you. This is not required, but I bet they are doing it because they like you! So do not forget them in the end.

5. Dress comfortably. Why try to worry about fitting in- because u will not most of the time! You are an American and when u open your mouth it will be obvious. So be happy and wear your favorite outfits and be comfortable.  Do not bring white because it is hard to clean.  If it is summer bring shorts if that makes you comfortable.   We already stood out but at least we were cool in temp.  There is very little AC so long pants would be awful!

6. Respect the people around you. Yep, it might be different then you are used too, but remember you are a guest in their country and their life. So, enjoy and laugh with the locals.  Do not be rude or snotty. It does nothing for the good of the world.

7. Try the local food and drink.  Live and learn the culture. You will have the american food again very soon.  

8. Take your shoes off at the door. This is a tradition in people's homes.  If u have a favorite pair of slippers bring them or bring some slipper socks.  Make sure you dont bring holey socks because you might be embarassed!

9. Bring one roll of toliet paper and take out the cardboard center to compact it.

10. If you have time in Kyiv, then visit EVERYTHING you can! Go shopping and buy lots! You might not get the chance to shop and  to get the matruska doll again- so buy it when you see it.

Ideas of Things to buy:

Traditional clothing in different sizes, stacking dolls, Ukrainian painted eggs, ukraine hats, soccer shirts, christmas ornaments, linens, books, painted cutting boards, painted pictures of the city/cities.

Also, see all you can about the history of Kyiv. These are the images you will relate back to your children.

12. Take one luxury item with you. This is my personal advice,but I did it three times,and never regretted it! My luxury item was a small travel pillow from Walmart. They take very little extra space,but are a never leave home without item for me and Dh.

13. Live like the locals and rent a flat.  It is actually very fun and so much cheaper then some hotels.

14. Go to the market... on your own. What an adventure.   We always loved the marketplace.

15. Respect and tip anyone who has offered you their flat or been helpful. Give a small gift to all. Bring some small tokens.  We brought rolls of lifesavers and gave them to the children hanging around the flat.  They loved it.  We also brought some USA plastic cups, and dish towels  for the hostess and some other US themed odds and ends ( potholders, a tshirt etc..which they loved).  A tip is included in the meal but round up to the gryvna and then as we always did leave a few extras and watch how awesome two dollars in Ukraine is received over the two dollar tip in the US~

16. Nights can be very boring. Bring something to pass the time. I recommend a laptop, cards, yathzee, books and a DVD player

17.In June, bing cherries were in season. They were everywhere. Everyone brought us some to eat. If the you are offered  food or drink go ahead and  try it.  It is considered rude to pass on food or drink if someone has offered it to you.

18. Drink lots of water. Make sure it has no gaza (gas) the light blue bottles were usually no gas.  when in region we bought them by the three gallon size and refilled small bottles to carry. 

19. Try the Ukrainian borscht. It is soo good as well as most soups. Also try at least one ukrainian beer. They are very good but very strong.

20. Take lots of pictures and lots of video and then take more. This is your children's history.  I never ever took enough!

21.  Take two pepto caplets in the morning and evening to reduce the risk of traveler's intestinal bugs.

22. Bring enough contact supplies if you wear lenses.  We could not find solution anywhere outside of Kyiv.

23. In region pamper yourselves with a hair washing/cut, pedicure and manicure or even a facial

24.  Bring some disposable baggies to cover your shoe bottoms in the train bathrooms.

25.  Dove facial disposable wipes were great in place of a washcloth

26.  Bring a bath towel.  The towel can double as a blanket for a tired child.  Bring an old one that you can leave behind to conserve space in the end.

27.  Pack lots of magazines and leave them in the apartments for others to enjoy later.

28.  Carry your passports and individual id's seperately from your spouse in case you ever get seperated

29.  Don't bring valuables.  Leave your diamond ring at home (wedding/engagement) and wear just a band if possible.  Two reasons for this. You won't stand out as having lots of money nor be a bigger target for thieves.

30.  Don't walk the streets in the dark talking English.  We were told to be quiet in some neighborhoods by our translator as English states possible money belts!

31.  Have some ice cream, fruit juices, yogurt and LOTS of chocolate.  I loved the chocolate and wish I had brought some extras home.

32.  You can buy childrens things at the marketplace or speciality stores.  All clothes are imported that are basic items.  Have your translator do the transaction for you after you have scooped the products and are not around.  The savings will be remarkable.

33.  Find an internet cafe in region and be good to the owner and everytime you come in you will always have a seat!

34. Find a favorite cafe and you will see the same waitstaff every day

35. Feral animals are everywhere.  The dogs were the hardest to see for me the animal lover.  I would wrap any leftover food from my dinner in a napkin and give it to the local stray.  If we were in cooking I would toss it outside and the cat fights were crazy.  My friend went to and bought dog treats and gave them out down the street.  That is a great idea too!

36.  We always carried a little american surprise and gave it as we went as a sign of friendship and hospitality.  One year we brought Oreos (little packs) and tootsie roll pops, which we gave to cabdrivers and helpers.  

37.  Bring some quick breath freshners.  The brush ups were awesome after a long trip or linstermint strips.  It is not easy to freshen up in certain travel situations.

38.  Dont bring lots of snacks, you can live without peanut butter for three weeks

39.  Bring a small bottle of kids shampoo and soap, bring kids cough/cold meds/ bring baby/kids tyleno, bring kids toothpaste and toothbrush

40.  One of the best places to buy souveniers is not on the street but rather in a mall where the prices are already marked for the locals. 

41.  If you need a touch of home we went to the food court at the underground mall in Kyiv, where at least we could see American videos and hear music we knew. 

42.  Take the train overnight rather then a car when possibe.  Twelve hours on the train is much smoother then twelve hours in a car or bus. 

43.  There are no seat belt or car seat rules.  Bring the travel pillow (see luxury item) to use as a head rest for your tired new child needing a nap on a five hour journey.  It will feel weird having a toddler or child without a car seat moving around.

44.  Bring a snack. drink, and new kiddie object when you visit your child.  Become the focus of their dreams.

45.  Take your shoes off before walking on the orphanage rug in the play area.

46.  Try the pickles and marinated items- yum- if you like that kind of thing like me

47.  Be weary of fish or beef products.  They are probably not beef I have been told and the fish might be contaminated from the rivers which hold nuclear fall out/mercury.

48.  Ask to see your childs sleeping quarters if possible and get the entire routine your child does to keep the system.  If your child takes a nap at a certain time for example do not fall off that schedule

49.  Give your child a bath the first night out of the orphanage.  It might help to have an adult with them in the tub.  The tubs might be very scary for the first time. 

50.  The first night away for small children especially might be very traumatic.  They may rock or cry or shake.  Let the child have its soothing but sleep nearby to reassure that things are going to be okay.

Any others oldies or PAPs recommend>