Tips on Donest'k

[JR]

It is looking very positive that I will be heading to Donest'k at the end of October for a week. I'd appreciate any tips on where to go, what to do. No, don't tell me to go to hell and roast! 

I'd like to know about some decent, inexpensive, average to moderately priced restuarants. Also any museums worth checking out. I'm not into clubbing but knowing of a few place might be advantageous should the dancing shoes get the itch. Also some cool places to just walk and check out the cultural scene.

Thanks in advance!

[Boethius]

There really isn't that much in Donetsk.  However, here is a link to a city page -

http://www.citylife.donetsk.ua/

The Artyomovsk Winery, which is one of the biggest in Eastern Europe, is about 80 km away if you have time to kill and an interest in sparkling wine.

[Shadow]

It is looking very positive that I will be heading to Donest'k at the end of October for a week. I'd appreciate any tips on where to go, what to do. No, don't tell me to go to hell and roast! 

At the end of October you might find Hell freezing over in Donet'sk 

[Sculpto]

JR..

Boethius is right.. there isnt a heck of a lot in Donetsk... life is very much centered around hanging out in the center and along the walking street.  All the good stuff is pretty much within walking distance.

The state ballet is highly rated.. not sure what their season is.  There is a small art museum a few blocks further down artioma and one block over on universitet.

check out the chicago entertainment complex.. movie theater.. two nightclubs, sauanas, harley bar.. also just a few blocks down artioma from the center.

there is a botanic garden on the outskirts but it might be closed for the season already.

Do not go to Makeevka without someone to watch your back.  Makeevka is easily as big as Donetsk but it is a real hell hole and you will be putting yourself in danger to go there alone.

Food is easy.. there are tons of places on artioma in every budget.  If you feel like a splurge and want to impress take your lady to the Donbass Palace hotel to eat.  But, be prepared to spend over $100 easily for dinner for two.

I loved the street markets, but, thats not for everyone.  There is a huge one up by the train station and a smaller one at the end of the trolley line on the far side of the square.. about 5 blocks up.

Make sure to go over the walking bridge.

If you run into one of the many guys driving Hummers with blacked out windows.. don't be a tough guy and go the other way.  There are still some ongoing blood feuds in Donetsk and you really don't want to mess with the bad guys there.  Do not say anything bad about Akmetov in public.  He has a piece of ALL the action in Donetsk and it will come back to haunt you.  Do not engage the police for any reason.  The police in Donetsk are highly corrupt and not accustomed to many people.  Everyone hates them and is afraid of them.  There are skin heads in Donetsk.. typically young men wearing leather... they travel in packs in late afternoon and evening.. everyone is terrified of them.. if you see them.. get the hell out of their way.

Also.. soccer is HUGE in Donetsk.. if Shaktar is playing you should go..

There is a monastery, I forget the name, not far out of town that is picturesque and a good day trip.. your girl will know.

You better behave yourself in Donetsk JR.  I sent your picture to some people I know.  They will be watching you. 

[Mila]

Hi there. If you like soccer, i advise you to go to the stadium and watch a game. There is a beautiful stadium, the best in Ukraine, which was opened recently and i think it is worth seeing. Even Beyonce was singing there  Also, if you will have some free time, you could go to Svyatogorsk. Beautiful town, close to Donetsk (Donetsk region) with nice, old churches, some of them located in the hills(chalk hills). Very quiet and peaceful place. I think, you will enjoy Good luck!

[Sculpto]

Mila, is Svyatogorsk the monastary I mentioned?

[JR]

Ticket purchased.

Days off put in for.

[Sculpto]

so tell us about the girl JR..

[JR]

afraid I'll jinx it

and there's two. at least I think there's 2.

[Faux Pas]

Ticket purchased.

Days off put in for.

fack that! Make it happen. Make the plan and follow the plan

[Sculpto]

afraid I'll jinx it

and there's two. at least I think there's 2.

Dude.. I could hook you up.. but I wont.  LOL

[JR]

Dude.. I could hook you up.. but I wont.  LOL

Yes you will, it's always good to have a back-up plan

[RussianWind]

Ticket purchased.

Days off put in for.

Did you pack your tomahawk?

[Alex from Ukraine]

Ok. The best place to check in Donetsk is a park of forge sculptures. It is just in the center. Go there for a weekend, best time, they go to take photos for weddings. I have photos from one of my trips there http://vkontakte.ru/album9397064_37714810

If you can't see the photos at the link, DON'T CRY! That's something like facebook, register there, takes 1 minute, the site has English interface. You can also check some other photos of places around Ukraine where I went to...

[JR]

Did you pack your tomahawk?

I don't know why but I can't seem to get it past security! Grrrrr, they have NO sense of humor at all!!!! Kinda like some people here Guess I have to procure one there.



Thx for the link Boethius, I found the info very good.

Same to you Eric, you mentioned many of the places in the link. And thx for the heads up about Makeevka. Oh yeah and thx in advance for the hook up LOL!

Mila, I probably won't make a soccer game but I'll have to check out the stadium.

[Alex from Ukraine]

here are some photos from the place in Donetsk I mentioned... it's a kind on MUST SEE place. People from Lugansk go there just have a look

[Alex from Ukraine]

I have 50 photos like that from that place at my page at the social site I mentioned already by there way, everybody in Ukraine and Russia use that site - http://vkontakte.ru

[Mila]

Hi, 2012isFiction! Yes, i think this is it This place is worth seeing without doubt.

[Sculpto]

Ok. The best place to check in Donetsk is a park of forge sculptures. It is just in the center. Go there for a weekend, best time, they go to take photos for weddings. I have photos from one of my trips there http://vkontakte.ru/album9397064_37714810

If you can't see the photos at the link, DON'T CRY! That's something like facebook, register there, takes 1 minute, the site has English interface. You can also check some other photos of places around Ukraine where I went to...

Nice post Alex.  I figured he would just wander into them anyway.  I noticed some new pieces also since I was there.  I was actually pretty much blown away with a lot of the metal work you see all over town, especially in entrances to some of the stores and cafes.  You really get the sense that Donetsk is a steel town.

[Sculpto]

JR.. if you get in a twist I will try and help you.  My best contact there, the one who speaks perfect English and is willing to help foreign male visitors, is also right in the middle of her boyfriend arriving there to live in Donetsk with her.  I don't know how much availability she will have.

I would also suggest you talk to Alex since Lugansk is not far away.  He could help you if you need it and is a really awesome guy with very reasonable rates.

And I agree with Mila.. you should go out of town, if there is time, to the monastery.  Also might want to look into the salt cave tour and see if there are any concerts playing there.

Alex or Mila.. isn't there some sort of interesting installation for tourists or day trippers on the top of one of the old coal mine slag heaps? 

BTW.. when I was in Makeevka, with the Nigerians, we saw some really scary stuff.. right outside the apartment across the street was some sort of government building and there was a mob way over 1000 people, maybe more like 5k, that was one step short of turning into a riot.  My understanding is they were upset about food shortages and price gouging in Makeevka.  Also saw a lot prostitutes along the highway in between the center of Donetsk and Makeevka and mafia tough guys waiting nearby.  There are a few articles on the web about human rights workers having problems when trying to investigate there.  When I was there several Gypsy were murdered by Ukrainians in some sort of ethnic feud related to someones sister falling in love with a  gypsy.  All in all a pretty rough place, akin to Oakland or Compton but maybe even rougher.  Some of that crap spills over into Donetsk on occasion, so, don't be a dork and keep your eyes open.

[RussianWind]

2012, JR is not a little boy and doesn't feel like a victim, he's gonna be alright 

[Sculpto]

2012, JR is not a little boy and doesn't feel like a victim, he's gonna be alright 

I know.. its an inside joke..

[Daveman]

2012, JR is not a little boy and doesn't feel like a victim, he's gonna be alright 

Yeah, besides, he was married to an RW for a decade so I doubt anything over there will surprise him too much. Times have changed a little but it isn't like he's a newbie at this -- just maybe a little rusty  

Plus, I'll be there at the same time as well so we can have a blind leading the blind session if necessary.  :evil:

[RussianWind]

I know.. its an inside joke..

Okey I will give him instructions he needs.

JR, if you make a fire in your room, call 101.
If you lost your wallet, you can try to call 102 but I doubt they will give it back even if found.
If you ate Shawarma and think they used rat meat, call 103.
In case of smelling gaz, call 104.
No, pizza is not 105 but call 109 to ask them.

[Sculpto]

there is a great shewarma stand on artioma going away from the center towards the train station.  Its about 3 blocks from the center on the corner by the park near the new chapel by the tennis stadium.  People line up to eat there and I must have eaten there dozens of times.  Cheap and good.  On the other hand.. for some reason there are a lot of really lousy hot dog stands.. stale steamed bun and a dog that makes Oscar Meyer look yummy.. yucko!