Ukraine Trip... A Photo Essay + Random Thoughts

[Kuna]

I love this photo...I'm not going to comment other than to say, "I wonder how he will turn out?"

Taken in Globu Park on Day of the City.

[Kuna]

OK...gratuitous girl pic - but I think there is a message in it.

This girl walked past with (I assume) her mother and her boyfriend.  She was incredibly beautiful and had those qualities of confidence and grace in her movements that separate her from typical "hotties".

When looking back at this photo I noticed the physical shape and style of her boyfriend and wondered if those men dreaming of a true "10" have ever considered that there is stiff competition out there for the most beautiful girls.

Of course a successful relationship requires more than good looks... but I think any man obsessed with finding a "10" (and we've had a few in here over the years) really need to realise they are not competing against drunks, plumbers and the uneducated...  The best women get the best men (in most cases).

Anyway,  here's the pic... I hope you find something of interest other than a rear view of a rare creature.

[Kuna]

On to some street shots...

#1 is for Gator... A rickety old Tram gives an interesting ride for the curious traveler.

#2 proves there are beautiful and "not so beautiful" girls in Ukraine. The agencies will try to generalise that all Ukrainian women are beautiful, family oriented and highly educated. It's not true... of course there are all types of women in Ukraine just as there is at home.  

#3 Cafe's along European Square. the most obvious difference in the street scenes in Dnepr from last year is the lack of people walking in European Square drinking beer.  New laws ban the consumption of beer in public places and while it still happens from time to time, I just didn't see the masses of young men AND WOMEN hanging out drinking beer on the street. A positive change I think!

#4 and #5 are just street shots that show not all women subject themselves to "fashionable" outfits.  One girl in these pics obviously dresses for impact and in the other photo you'll see another girl (perhaps younger) is more focused on comfort.

These pics are not intended to be for the purposes of voyeurism... but rather to just give a realistic view of what is "common" on the streets of Ukraine.

#6 Something that strikes me about beautiful girls in Ukraine is the high probability that many of them will age quickly, or unfortunately. Maybe it's the harsh weather, maybe poor food,  maybe long hours and hard work...  but the woman in the foreground of this pic seems to not care for her appearance any more while the one behind may be moving in the same direction - in more than one way.

[Kuna]

Must be watermelon season...

The sight of mountains of watermelons on the street was unexpected and I suppose a little interesting. In the area of my morning walk (trying to get son #1 back to sleep) there were three such mounds of watermelons and on one day I decided to buy one and lug it back to the apartment.

My wife's reaction was unexpected, and I suppose based on another of the many urban myths surrounding everything Ukrainian (along with "All women have family values",  "All men are drunks" and "No one speaks Russian anymore").

She said she doesn't eat watermelon in Ukraine because they inject it with a chemical to make it last longer, or something to that effect.

I didn't put much weight in the comment so we ate it anyway,  but I've gotta say, it was "average". Didn't buy anymore watermelons on that trip.   

[Kuna]

The 'burbs...

If you've been to Ukraine you've most seen lots of areas like this... but if you've not been there it's not so common to see photos on the web of typical suburban areas.

My first trip was in winter so much of the "lack of maintenance" was covered by snow - but you could not cover up the poor state of the roads.

On subsequent trips I've not only become used to what is "normal" there,  I frequently see the former beauty in the disorganised chaos that is,  an average day for many of the people living there.

Photo #1 is a very common early morning sight as (mostly) babushkas are out sweeping up and arranging garbage for collection.  It was interesting to see these ladies up and at it very early every morning and from time to time stopping to chat with neighbours as they passed by.  It was almost impossible to get any eye contact during my first week there but as I knew I would be out walking every morning (desperately trying to get #1 back to sleep) I thought I may as well create some fun...

I made sure as I walked passed them...  (or virtually anyone else who might have been heading to work, selling flowers/fruit/etc)  I'd say good morning with a great big smile and prompt my 2 year old to blow kisses and wave goodbye as he said "poka poka".

I sure got some strange looks on the first couple of days... but as the days went by some would stop and ask me where I was from, or what my sons name was, or just got in with the "Dobrey Utra" before I could.

It was getting really fun as one old lady selling flowers would stop me every morning for a chat and play with my boy and keep repeating "Avstrali, Avstrali" a long with the ratter tatt tatt"of Russian language that was too fast for me to pick up anything other than a few words.

One morning on my return my wife asked me why I took so long and I explained I would often stop to talk to people as I was on my walks.  She looked at me as if to say, "Are you crazy"... and then actually said, "Are you CRAZY?" - and then said the next day she had to come with me "to see this".

I can honestly say she was first shocked,  then verging on elation as we walked around and she saw so many people taking notice of our boy, saying hello, chatting away and asking her (more than me) questions about life in Australia, kangaroos, koalas and sharks.

She said, "This is very strange, Kuna you have strange effect on people."  ...but it was truly one of the highlights of my holiday.

Rest of the shots are just in and around the area where I was taking my morning walks.

Photo #2 is not taken in the forest, or a village...  it's just one of the walkways connecting those big ugly soviet style apartment buildings together.  Of course there are roads there but people have obviously created shortcuts to the local schools, shops or bus stop, and for us in the west it's surprising to see such long grass in a residential common space.

Photo #3 shows a typical small supermarket in front of one of "those" older style apartment buildings.  I was thinking about the ATB's while there and it seems like the groceries are a similar if not slightly more expensive here than in the smaller shops or (of course) more expensive than the vegies sold on street stalls,  but it is ALWAYS busy.  Maybe it's a different type of customer or may be people are just paying for convenience of being able to do all their shopping in one location... but it seems to be working and doesn't seem to have closed down any of the many little local traders in the area.

Photo #4 is something I do like.  Even though a fair proportion of the common spaces in this area are quite poorly maintained I do enjoy seeing the plots, apartments and playground where locals have obviously made an effort to beautify their surroundings. This apartment struck me particularly and even though the photo doesn't give the same feeling of happiness and pride that obviously must be present you can see that someone has put some considerable effort into their plants, both inside and out.

Photo #5 shows something else I like.  Dnepropetrovsk seems to have benefited (somewhat) by a beautification program - probably brought on by the recent local elections.  Playgrounds have new equipment and have been tidied up dramatically since our last trip - and the common spaces in apartment buildings have been cleaned and painted. I notice in the news there are many reports containing politicians at road projects but of course these are still the the city centre, not where the road are at their worst.

[Jumper]

Very cool  residential area shots Kuna..

brings back memories!!!
 and perhaps gives those whom havn't traveled there ,
a better idea of what the average person lives and see's daily )
rather than just the downtown ,or points of interest, shots..

[Kuna]

Thanks AJ...  I'm glad I'm not the only one that appreciates the "less glitzy" aspectsof FSU.

You'd appreciate pics like this...

I'd walk past these pipes with the pram most mornings and wonder who the hell came up with the idea of the ramp at a 45% angle so people could get over.

[Kuna]

Here's a few more if anyone is interested....

Pic #1 - Big ol' soviet-style apartment building. Not very pretty.

Pic #2 - Quite pretty

Pic #3 -The diversity between residential areas and centre are vast in many cases.

Pic #4 - More diversity

[mies]

As for an atheist having the capacity of appreciating something they don't accept... it's just not possible.  Stand outside of a church, or inside, and gawk all you want, but if you don't have a relationship with the Church you can't possibly appreciate it (The Church,  not the structure).

Kuna, please, do not take my post as an offense to your faith. But I think you are falling into sin here. Sin of glorifying the "form" and presenting this activity as an admiration of the "content", or claiming that christians are somehow capable to appreciate the shapes of the church better because of their belief in Trinity. For true Christian Orthodox believers to feel the religious awe and ecstasy - it generally does not matter what shape the church is and how much gold it has. Certain architectural forms can be used to enhance the transcendental experience, but i do not think that the religious experience should be used to enhance the appreciation of the architectural form. That's really turning things upside down. Glorifying the gold and the form, in essence is as sinful as glorifying the golden calf. Remember what happened with those people. Using the christian religion to appreciate the "golden calf" better - looks plain wrong to me. For that - I would allow myself to say that non-christians or non-religious people may appreciate the beauty of churches and architectural structures at least as much, or more, as the religious folks do.  
"The Church" - is inside you, if you are a believer.

Great photos and trip report - thank you!

[tfcrew]

 Kuna I believe a lot of the ladies know their photos are being taken.   

No doubt.... The blonde is looking right at you in this one.
 


Nice pics.
Take more...
Karl

[Kuna]

Karl,

I think you and Jack are right...  maybe Ukrainian women are attracted to mirrors AND cameras.

Here's another example of a photo from Kreshatik where a girl (and the guy to an extent) zones in on the camera.  I tried to find the wide shot but it's lost some where in the 1000+ pics from this trip... but this clipped photo illustrates the point.

[Kuna]

Leave a little good behind...

Tried to write this a few times but was sounding like the dreaded "White Knight" so I'll just say this.

My wife and I wanted to do something good during this trip, and preferably aimed at children.  We've had a good year financially, our family grew again, and we have lots to be thankful for.

When getting into Dnepropetrovsk we asked some friends about orphanages and got some disappointing responses like,"If you help them the managers will just take the money or sell the clothes," etc, etc.

Eventually a former workmate pointed us towards this hospital that provides residential care for orphaned children with terminal or chronic illnesses, and mothers who live in with children who have similar medical challenges.

When asking the matron what they needed sadly she said the most urgent need they had was for baby formula for the orphaned children as they didn't always have the money for the "special needs".

We organised the delivery of 3 months supply and on visiting the ward we noticed other repairs needed, mainly around the mothers bathroom.  The cost to renovate the bathroom and toilet areas was minimal, and a privilege to be able to provide.

On returning home and explaining the situation to workmates a group has formed to fund the ongoing purchase of formula for the hospital residents, not only the orphans. In the past parents with children in the ward were expected to provide their own formula but we felt it would be a lesser burden while caring for their children if they didn't have to worry about one more thing.

Anyway,  this experience was probably the most fulfilling of all my trips to Ukraine,  and I would encourage others that go to FSU, for whatever reason,  to consider  doing something that "leaves some good behind".


Photo 1 is of the outside of the  ward where the children stay.

Photo 2 shows the unexpected excellent condition of the ward.  The Russian Orthodox Church provides  funding for the hospital andhad recently had the ward repainted.

Other photos are of some of the adorable little children who parents have felt incapable of caring for, so have been left behind.

I must say, the staff are remarkable...  and were so grateful for such small contributions.  They have the qualities we should all aspire to.  Thank God they are there for the children because their recovery, comfort and nurturing is totally dependant on these wonderful people.

[Kuna]

Crazy stuff you see in Ukraine!

Took this photo as we were leaving the hospital.  At first I thought, "What the" when I saw him and was able to snap off a few photos as we passed.

Later I noticed he had no feet, but I have no idea why he was riding down the middle of this busy main road.

Anyone who's been to FSU knows how crazy the driving is... I still can't imagine why he'd be there (other than mental illness) but hope he stays safe!

[TeddyBear]

This thread touched my heart very much--I am deep in thought these days--hope to share once it all gets organized--tyvm for sharing Kuna--nice work on that orphanage. 

[Kuna]

This thread touched my heart very much--I am deep in thought these days--hope to share once it all gets organized--tyvm for sharing Kuna--nice work on that orphanage. 

Thanks TeddyBear...  the work we've taken up for the orphanage hospital is one of the most rewarding things I've (we've) done.  I think knowing anything raised is going so directly for the benefit of the children - in the form of essential food - makes any cost very worthwhile.

OK, I'm going to try to get this TR finished over the next few days...

[Kuna]

OK...  been scouring Google Earth trying to pinpoint the location of this photo for daysbut have finally resolved that it just doesn't matter.   

The drive from Kiev to Dnepropetrovsk is pretty much "predictable farming land punctuated by small villages" for the whole drive except for a strip where the Dnepr river comes back into view and it's almost like flirting with a sanctuary. 

It was a really lovely area that was soon left behind for the heavy industry and quite depressing gloom that hangs over Dneprodzerzhinsk, which is north of Dnepropetrovsk.

When I look at this photo I can't help but think what WWII battles might have taken place around here as the Germans pushed east, and the Russians west.  A strong memory of my first trip to Dnepropetrovsk was at the war museum which houses a "virtual warfield" set on the banks of the Dnepr river recreating the sights and sounds of a battle.  (Well worth seeing by the way)



Damn it... just spent another 20 minutes of my life on Google Earth and still not sure exactly where this pic was taken...  I can tell you though it's somewhere between Kremenchug and Dnepropetrovsk... so we'venarrowed it down to a 140km distrance.  If anyone knows the area this might be in I'm interested because I'd like to seek out more photos on this area.