McToasty

I'm just going to come right out and say it: This post is about McDonalds.

I already mentioned how cold it's been in Ukraine for the past few weeks. Like so cold that school and work's been cancelled for a few weeks now. Like so cold that it takes me 20 minutes to layer up to go outside (three scarves, two hats, silk long johns under clothing, knee-length coat, knee-high leather boots...sheesh, I totally get now why everyone here just forgets all of that and wears fur!).

It's cold enough that, instead of walking 15 minutes to the grocery store in order to prepare food in my refrigerator of a kitchen, more than a few times I've opted for the 5 minute walk to the warm and cozy McDonald's.

Yes, McDonald's. Warm and Cozy. As everything else in this country seems just barely heated (or not heated at all), it seems that the bulk of Russia's gas rations here in Lugansk have ended up at our Micky Ds.

The best part of this whole seemingly cultural-dilution of an endeavor is that, just like in Japan, Ukraine has some unique offerings that you can't get anywhere else. Okay, it's still McDonald's food, but it's Ukraine Week (actually lasting for 2 months) McDonald's food!

Three notable features from the Ukraine McDonald's Ukraine Week website: 1) "This menu invites the taste of Ukrainian colors...and all fans of Ukrainian culinary traditions have a great opportunity to discover new facets of your favorite flavors" (Google translate really rocked that one!); 2) They are offering such delights as crispy potato wedges with Ukrainian sauce, crispy cheese rings with ham and Ukrainian sauce, and sandwich "lordy" on rye buns with bacon and Ukrainian sauce; and 3) No one is really sure what exactly "Ukrainian sauce" is.

Sounds good to me!

I went with the cheese rings and the rye sandwich. Turns out, I had to pay extra for the Ukrainian sauce...we definitely take our free condiments for granted back home:

Apologies to anyone coming here to get a glimpse into to the heart and soul of Ukraine's culture only to read about McDonalds, but that baby's ALWAYS packed here in Lugansk! Anyone who's going to offer me free heat and Ukrainian-sauced goodies at the most jumping place in town is just as deserving with a spot on the 'ol travel blog.