Western Ukraine

[steveh1155]

Leaving in 2 days for Kiev, and from there, taking a train to Mukachevo and then a bus to Teplitsa in the Carpathian mountains. We'll be staying at a "sanatorium". I had never heard of these other than the term that used to be used here about 100 years ago to describe "rest & health resorts" and according to my better half, very popular with the locals. When she first mentioned she'd like to go there I thought she was referring to a place where they lock up the insane! Anyway.....should be an interesting trip! Anybody ever been to this part of Ukraine? Any recommendations as to sites to visit? Thanks!

[Daveman]

Cool, I love being in the Carpathians.  Reminds me a LOT of the Smokey Mtns.  I spent some time last summer within a couple of miles from the Romanian border.  Very cool area as is much of Western Ukraine.  The language shifts from Russian to Ukrainian, religion is taken more seriously -- many shrines (I have no idea what they are actually called) along the roads.  

I saw everything from the road and spent most of the time being scrutinized by family and extended family so I can't really recommend sites, but I'll ask.. what kinds of sites interest you?  Definitely a gorgeous area...

[ghost of moon goddess]

http://www.teplyca.com.ua/en/

Nice sanatorium in picturesque surroundings to enjoy the quiet and healthy environment.
I liked it.
Here are some pictures taken there.

pics 2 thru 9 - Teplyca
pic 11 - Vinogradov/Vynogradiv
pics 12,13 - a cozy outdoor cafe overlooking a lake 

[SANDRO43]

-- many shrines (I have no idea what they are actually called) along the roads.

Roadside chapels like these?

[steveh1155]

I love the Smokey Mountains. From what my lady told me, there are castles to visit, winery's, museums, hiking and tours into the mountains, fishing, although I think I was sold on it as soon as she mentioned they give daily massages at the sanatorium!


Moon Goddess - yes, that's the place, thanks for posting those photos of Teplyca, those are nicer pics than the one's on their website and it looks exactly how she described it to me. After a very hectic year so far at work, I'm really looking forward to having a "rest" there.


Friends and family have asked me to take lot's of pictures and I'll post a few after I get back home.

[ECOCKS]

If you are into military history, architecture and art you're going to be pleasantly surprised.

Try Pidhirtsie, Olesky, Zolochiv and Svirzh. I visited them and loved them.

Two places I never got to but badly wanted to go were Kamyanets-Podilsky and Khotyn.

Those would be my short list.

Ed

[ghost of moon goddess]

Roadside chapels like these?

Travelling around Western Ukraine one can discover both roadside small chapels


and even tiny wooden oratories called часовня/chasovnya - a small room that does not contain altar.
Chasovnya is used for private worship and short services, as far as I know.

[SANDRO43]

Travelling around Western Ukraine one can discover both roadside small chapels

Here they mostly dot agricultural areas, from the times when cars were at most a landowner's privilege and churches far away in a not-so-nearby village, so that peasants could have some place of worship at hand even if unattended by a priest .

[Daveman]

Roadside chapels like these?

Yes, just like those 


And there are things like these all over...   as people are walking past (especially the older ladies) they stop at these and do the sign of the cross (three times I think.. but maybe I am mistaken about that).  Coming from a protestant background, that was interesting to witness -- everywhere... 


The last shot is a little lake/picnic/cabin rental place. .. it is near a little town named Shayan very close to the Romanian border. I never could remember the name so I just call it Shashlik lake because that's what we and everyone else were cooking there that day.  The mountain in the background is in Romania.  I really wanted to jump across and pay Vlad's castle a visit!

[steveh1155]

The mountain in the background is in Romania.  I really wanted to jump across and pay Vlad's castle a visit!

Ha! I thought of doing that too, but I don't think my lady would be able to cross the border.

[Boethius]

(three times I think.. but maybe I am mistaken about that).

Three times for the Holy Trinity.  Both Greek Catholics and Orthodox do this, and also must cross holding their thumb, forefinger, and middle finger together.  This latter reform, introduced by Peter the Great, lead to a schism with the Old Believers.

[SANDRO43]

The last shot is a little lake/picnic/cabin rental place. .. it is near a little town named Shayan very close to the Romanian border. I never could remember the name so I just call it Shashlik lake because that's what we and everyone else were cooking there that day.

What are those small huts in front of each house for? Cooking/grill sheds?

[Daveman]

What are those small huts in front of each house for? Cooking/grill sheds?

They are Shaslik Chapels!  For those of us who have made the former into somewhat of a religion!       They're actually covered picnic tables, the grills are a meter or so outside each one.

Three times for the Holy Trinity.  Both Greek Catholics and Orthodox do this, and also must cross holding their thumb, forefinger, and middle finger together.  This latter reform, introduced by Peter the Great, lead to a schism with the Old Believers.

Ahhhhhh... I didn't know about the thumb, forefinger, middle finger together rule.  When we first arrived there was a family gathering of a religious nature.  Someone very special asked me to participate so as to not appear an idiot complete outsider (and probably to avoid a major scandal) so of course I said "sure, how hard can it be?"  Of course, I should've taken "Orthodox Basics 101".  Aside from doing the thing backwards the first time (got up/down correct, but went to my left/right as everyone else went right/left), which initialized a few questioning looks, I was also holding my hand in the "double barreled gun" position with thumb kinda straight up... I bet THAT is why the questioning looks transformed into a few stares... but no one said anything.  I guess they figured I'd pay for it at the purgative roast in my honor later.

Ha! I thought of doing that too, but I don't think my lady would be able to cross the border.

That's one reason we didn't go.  I guess the other was that it was our wedding/honeymoon trip and I guess something about Dracula didn't quite fit in with The Plan... not sure why not 


Steve, sorry we kinda took over your thread.. start your TR proper in a new one and I'll bump this q/a one over to another area...  one day to go! 


Here's to a safe and wonderful trip! 

[steveh1155]

I just got back home late last night. It was a great trip!!! I'll have stories to tell and pics to show, but need a few days to decompress. Carpathian mountains are beautiful!!!


Steve

[Daveman]

I just got back home late last night. It was a great trip!!! I'll have stories to tell and pics to show, but need a few days to decompress. Carpathian mountains are beautiful!!!


Steve

Hey Steve!  somehow missed this.. welcome back!  You've had a week to decompress so get on with it already!


Did the Carpathians remind you also a little of the Smokeys in some areas?

[steveh1155]

Hey Steve!  somehow missed this.. welcome back!  You've had a week to decompress so get on with it already!


Did the Carpathians remind you also a little of the Smokeys in some areas?

Ha, I've had to catch up on work the past few days and have been sick....300 people stuffed in an aluminium tube for 9 or 10 hours across the Atlantic and add germs - I'm surprised I haven't been sick more often on these trips! Heck, even my dog is sick after getting him back from the kennel. I'll post this weekend when I have a little more time.


The Carpathians absolutely reminded me of the Smokeys. I was told the highest peak in the area on the Ukrainian side was about 6700' which is about the same as Clingman's Dome in Tennessee. Some of the peaks were still snow covered but I think they shed that in later summer. Miss my gal already