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 . . .