Summer Trip Report part 2 - Ukraine

Ukraine lies just beyond the European Union, and you know you're in a different country as soon as you cross the border. In my case, I knew even before I crossed the border. I took a bus from the last big Polish town across the border to the first big Ukrainian town. At the bus station were all Polish buses from the 90's, which I thought were old. Then in came this 70's vintage bus, coughing and billowing black smoke. I thought, uh-oh, that must be the Ukrainian bus. I wonder if this thing can make the journey without breaking down? I was immediately reminded of Africa.

Soviet-era car, note the Cyrillic license plate


The bus did make the journey without breakdowns. However Ukraine is much poorer and less developed than Poland. The roads are worse, the cars are older. I only visited the western and southern parts of the country. They resemble other European cities, but not as well maintained, and with some Russian influences.

A street car with traditional Ukrainian pattern


A street performer in Tartar costume, complete with the characteristic hairstyle!


There are stray dogs on the street everywhere. They don't bother the locals, but always bark at me. Not fun. I really don't fancy getting rabies.

I love going to supermarkets when I visit a new country. I find you can get a sense of how people live and what their palettes and preferences are like.

3 aisles of vodka


Milk comes in thick plastic bags


Ice-cream comes in casings like sausages


It's hard to find people who speak English, even in big cities among the young people. I didn't see too many foreign tourists. Most tourists are Ukrainian, and in a distant second are Germans.

Funky Orthodox (oxymoron?) church with twisted turrets


Seeing these tote bags in the market immediately brought another African flashback.


I found Ukraine difficult to travel in, mostly due to the language barrier. I know it's my problem that I don't speak their language, but it was more challenging than I expected.

Oh yeah, I had to beg for money for the bus on my last night in Ukraine, but that's a story for another time . . .

Summer Trip Report part 1 - Poland

Here's the long-awaited update to my trip in August.

I started my trip in the Polish capital, Warsaw. Having lived in Africa for the last 2 years and now in a tiny village, Warsaw seems like a huge metropolis to me. So many skyscrapers! Also the city is very spread-out, that means lots of walking.

The Palace of Culture and Science, built in the Stalinist style, a gift from the Soviet people to the Polish people.


A memorial for Polish soldiers in the Second World War


The symbol of Warsaw, a mermaid holding a sword and shield


My next stop was Krakow, probably the most popular tourist destination in Poland. The city is nice, but the masses of tourists turned me off. Also, in my room at the hostel were 5 British guys who came to Poland with the sole purpose of getting drunk every night. They'd come back at 3-4am, then proceed to talk loudly and make lots of noise for 2 hours before going to sleep. And one of them snores really loudly. I don't have fond memories of Krakow.

Lublin, Chelm, and Zamosc, 3 small towns in Eastern Poland that don't see too many foreign tourists. Even the Polish people I talked to were surprised I wanted to go there. They all asked me, "what is there to see?". However I'm glad I went. They're smaller, calmer, but still very charming and beautiful. They're not overran with tourists, and I can see real people living real lives. I enjoyed that very much. A much needed and welcomed change from my bad experience in Krakow.

The medieval festival (I call it the chicken fest) in Lublin


Old-fashioned garbage truck


Old town Zamosc with Renaissance buildings


Poland is a nice country to travel. It's definitely poorer and less developed than western Europe, but it's improving. The people are warm and friendly. The food is wonderful. I ate very well throughout this trip. The cars are older, and drivers aggressive. They make 3 lanes of traffic out of a 2 lane road. The driving is sometimes scary, but still safer than in Africa. :)