Worldtraveller, then Ukraine is in better position then Moldova....as our government changed, if a person takes a bribe he is fired. There were such cases, even among street police.
But you're correct, the view and the smell of meat is a very very important thing!
I have never heard about the deadly insects but I know borsch, it is present in Polish kitchen. I can asssure you everybody prepares it in a different way, at every home it tastes different. It is one of my favourite soups, although i hated the one I ate yesterday (my friend prepared it and it was so sour!). I remember when I first ate pecorino, an Italian cheese made of sheep milk - it made me sick, it was so disgusting! I didn`t give up, I tried it again, now I love it and can not imagine my dish of pasta without it... Sometimes you don`t like some tastes because you have never encountered them. With time it can change! I love Ucrainian pierogi (dumplings), my aunts always made them for me and I really miss them now!
Most bug bites are proteen based so if you go in the woods over there bring some Adolph's Meat Tenderizer (None Flavored) and put it on the bite in a damp paste. It may help.
They don't - the one's a kind of a Sandwich, the other's a Langwich.
If you eat the former whilst trying the latter you'll end up with Slang which nobody will understand.
Meat Tenderizer is made from an extract of the Avocado-pear. Indeed it is excellent to solidify (hence prevent spreading) some poisons of animals, especially those from shellfish, fish and other sea creatures. Some paste on the wound, rub it in and hope for the best. Scubadivers often have this stuff in their kit.
It also may help with some insect bites, and, although I've never heard about a 'deadly' bug (except an infected malaria mosquito) I know of some spiders (always small one's, same like the nasty scorpions) who may knock you out. Not an insect per se but close enough, and you'll get quite sick allright.
In Europe Izi? Hell, maybe you're right, never heard of it - and, to be frank, I doubt it, but by all means prove me wrong.
Have any of you tried pelmini? My girl says its a Russian version of Ravioli. I think I'll have her make me some when I am there, if it is posible I will try to cook for her there but I dont know if they will have the things necessary for me to cook my favorites.
Izi-I am reasonably certain that what you are referring to is malaria and Dengue`s disease-both associated with tropical mosquitoes. It is very serious because global warming has created environments in Europe which are habitable for these bugs. I was reading the other day that about 1.5 billion people in Europe are susceptible to infestation. An approximation was also given in the hundreds of thousands of people who will be sickened or die from this relatively new outbreak of mosquitoes. Where I live in Arizona is the number one area for West Nile virus,but I have not heard much about it lately. I theorize that slowly, people will build resistance to it,perhaps by being bit by a single bug,and suffering a short term,flu-like sickness,then recovering. The trouble is that the earth`s changing climate has also made certain insects more tolerant to a colder exposure,so this is a problem for us all. Certainly history has shown that nations and their governments can be toppled by something other than man`s intolerance for each other
The world has, for quite some time, thought that the eradication of Malaria (a parasite spread by a basically harmless mosquito) was just a matter of time. Get rid of that mosquito and end it all, simple in fact.
Initially DDT was used with success but was later also found in fish caught in polar circles, for it does not break down and is part of the food chain hence also of ours - it was banned long ago.
Other chemicals were tried, also with success, but this mosquito has proven to build up resistivity to most if not all, or rather the parasite did. These days various strains of malaria have to be treated - and prevented - by various chemicals/medicines/prophylactics, and infected people travelling the world (i.e. spreading) make things even more complicated.
No Spirit, you're ill informed, man developes absolutely zero resistivity for this, it is a very common phallacy. In loads of countries it still is the biggest killer, and only recently some have had the dubious honour to swap the #1 slot with AIDS.
What is not a phallacy or rumour is the simple fact that DDT is back, used with a devastating success there where new outbreaks occurred as well as in some locations where especially nasty strains have developed. Mind you, this is in a vain attempt to only minimize this desease, eradication is unfortunately still far away.
Never mind global warming, more dangerous are changes in local microclimates, but there's and even bigger threat. That mosquito seems likely to adapt to higher altitudes, the parasite itself having zero objections to it. If it is going to venture in higher regions then an enormous area currently free of malaria will become a dangerzone. When you know that some densely populated areas are within this zone, with also quite a few international airports one can only guess what the result will be.
I was referring to West Nile virus,but then again it is only hypothesis on my part. I have DEET to fend them off,but have actually been driven away from fishing by mosquitoes that were attacking my untreated eyeballs. There really is not any climactic change in Phoenix. Hot is hot,and here an excellent condition also exists for encephalitis. The city has established fines ( mostly unenforceable) for people who do not properly care for their swimming pools--many of which will easily turn into "duck ponds" without proper maintenance. A big worry here in years past was the killer bees,and this has mostly faded away because of the bees gradual integration with other less aggressive varieties of bees. However,the Mexican fire ants are still coming in from trees and shrubs imported from Mexico,and the number of inspectors have grown in proportion to the number of undocumented immigrants. I know that people have predispositions and phobias involving bats,but this is a good natural way to help eradicate some of the problem,without involving DDT. It is amazing to watch these little marvels flipping and flopping in the air when in a cloud of skeeters. I think you are dead -on right about adaptation,TD. Not only will microclimactic change spawn resistance in insects,it will discourage and perhaps rub out other species of animals and beneficial insects which would munch on mosquitoes. Also,another impact this is having in the northern states is that milder winters have created larger numbers of deer. I do not think Bambi is cute when he is draped across the windshield at 60 miles per hour. Some states are now considering the employ of sharpshooters to take care of the deer problem. Back home in Montana,the number of deer which can be taken on a "B" hunting license is 5. Unfortunately,the weather conditions which prevailed in years past-which also established the season for hunting,have changed. Winter kill numbers have dropped. So as a result of deer overpopulation,there are increasing numbers of mountain lions,grizzlies,and bears, and reports are common of them coming into rural neighborhoods attacking people. The northern grey wolf,which has been re-introduced to the northwest after neaarly being extincted,has been much maligned by ranchers especially,and now the laws are allowing for the defensive killing of them. Even in remote regions,man has upset the balance of nature,but again,Mother Nature has changed too.
Blinys are best taken through the ice. They will come up for air if you cut a hole. Then whack them with a bliny stick. Once stunned you can roll them in apricot jam and fry them. They are related to the haggis and cous cous family.