Venezuelan Woman Who Has Lived in Belarus for Over 10 Years Names Five Things That Still Surprise Her

Kayla Pineda has lived in Belarus for over ten years and is married to a Belarusian man. On her YouTube channel ConKay, which has about 6.3 thousand subscribers, she introduces foreigners to the daily life of Belarusians – from prices in stores to how apartments look in residential areas. She dedicated a new video to discussing five things related to Belarus that still surprise her.

1. Lengthy Toasts

The first thing that still fascinates Kayla is Belarusian birthdays.

"In Belarus, when it's someone's birthday, friends or family usually gather – at home or in a restaurant. But the most interesting part begins when the toasts are made. It's not just about raising a glass with the words: 'To your health, my friend!' – no, each guest says truly beautiful and profound words, recalls interesting stories, highlights your personal qualities, and even things you might not notice in yourself."

"If there are 20 people at the table – get ready, there will be many speeches," the blogger laughs.

Kayla recalls that one of her friends dedicated a poem to her, which deeply moved her. It is in such moments, she says, that it becomes clear how romantic and attentive to detail Belarusians are, and the stereotype of cold and reserved people is shattered.

According to the woman, in Venezuela people also love to celebrate and don't spare warm words, but they usually don't speak so deeply and personally in front of all guests there.

2. Working Saturday

The second point evokes much less enthusiasm in the blogger – it's the transfers of working days. Kayla explains that if a holiday falls, for example, on a Tuesday, then Monday might be made a day off. But then one will have to work on Saturday.

It also surprises her that the calendar of transfers for the next year can be found online even before the end of the current year.

"By the way, many companies plan their year-end events taking these peculiarities into account. On Thursday they celebrate, on Friday they rest after the party, and on Saturday – it's time to work. I don't think such a system would last long in Latin America. At least in Venezuela – definitely not," says the blogger.

3. Mushrooms — A Responsible Business

The third thing the author draws attention to is going into the forest for mushrooms.

Kayla admits that she herself does not yet dare to join the tradition. Not out of cowardice, she emphasizes, but out of responsibility: there are many mushrooms, and some of them are poisonous. The blogger jokes that she is afraid of filling her basket halfway with hallucinogenic mushrooms or ones that, if consumed, would not allow her to survive.

"It's entirely possible that nothing bad will happen, but I genuinely treat this with respect and admiration, because I see how people go foraging even in cold weather. They dress warmly and can walk through the forest for hours – all to fill their baskets with mushrooms. And what entertains and even touches me the most is how grandmothers walk bent over for hours, collecting mushrooms until their hips start to ache from constant bending.

But they are completely satisfied with their little mushrooms, filling their baskets with them to later prepare soups or marinades," the woman says and shows jars of pickled mushrooms that her husband's grandmother gave her.

The closest Venezuelan analog she found to Belarusians going mushroom hunting is collecting wild 'mai' berries, from which they make the dessert 'mazamorra'.

4. Lots of Sweets

The fourth thing the Venezuelan woman cannot get used to is the amount of sweets.

"Imagine: it's eight in the morning, and someone's breakfast consists solely of a piece of cake left over from yesterday's birthday. That's about my husband," Kayla says with humor.

According to the blogger's observations, in Belarus, people often drink tea throughout the day, with which cookies, chocolate, a donut, or a dessert, bought in a store or homemade, are always served.

"In the overwhelming majority of Belarusian families, there is always a container full of sweets, desserts, and chocolate, which can be snacked on from time to time throughout the day. Furthermore, typical breakfasts in this country are also usually sweet," the blogger asserts.

In Venezuela, Kayla says, sweets are also loved, but they are rather saved for holidays. In Belarus, however, it seems any gathering is an occasion for dessert. As proof, she shows a shortcrust pastry pie that a neighbor brought her the previous evening at half past ten.

5. "Where is my ring?"

Kayla calls the last point the most sensitive. It's the number of single women among her acquaintances.

"Of course, each has her own unique story. Sometimes expectations just don't match, because these women are looking for stable relationships, while some men are not ready for such commitments," the blogger explains, recalling Aryna Sabalenka:

"I don't know if you've noticed how Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka often joked, right on the court, asking her Brazilian boyfriend: 'Well, where's my ring?'"

After 30, the blogger says, women start to feel pressure from their age and relatives' expectations. One of her friends recently experienced depression and consulted a psychologist for this reason.

• 15
• 5
• 5
• 7
• 0
• 1
• 0
• 3