UKRAINE 2014 --What Is It Like Today?

[calmissile]

One of the very noticeable changes over the last 5 years is the updating of cars & trucks. legislation that prevented(or at least slowed down) the importing of older cars has seen  many new car showrooms being built.  All the major manufacturers plus Korean ,Chinese brands seem to be chasing the market. In every city I have seen there are many new showrooms built in the last few years-plus more being built.

In addition-- in what seems only a relatively short time the trucks( lorries) seem to have become a lot newer> The bigger the city-- the newer the average age of vehicles seem to be.

Away from the cities you still see older cars and trucks -but generalising they seem to be more confined to their local areas.Many ex military trucks you still see  transporting grain etc.

Along with the  changes in the vehicles -I have also seen a reduction of the extreme crazy driving ( that may also have something to do with the current climate cutting down a few would be "kings" !!)  Even courteous acts seem to be common place-more akin to driving in other parts of the EU -- and not ridiculous russian selfish!!

The road conditions in places are good ( eg around Kiev itself) -- that is in sharp contrast to often close to impassable dangerous surfaces on some roads between major cities. Even around major cities the  roads require extreme car to avoid damaging tyres,wheels,suspension and the car itself !! In wet conditions at night-- it can be extremely hard work driving.If you can be  a 110% involved driver-no problem-- if you are average joe painful ( ) don't bother-you will get yourself in a lot of trouble !!.

Under the new direction & Government the Police are not the nightmare they were previously to deal with-now acting like Police in civilised countries and not looking to subsidise their ridiculously low pay.On the Police generally-- it must be an incredibly difficult time for them- and from what I have seen they are doing ok job. Generally helpful and curious about "tourists " !! As I said earlier-- about like Police anywhere.

I have to chuckle about your comments on the roads.  Having driven everything from a semi to my little 560SL I thought I was cool to drive in Ukraine.  Even my 4 wheel drive pickups have never had a problem navigating fire roads in the US.

I finally convinced Larissa to allow me to drive her Mitsubishi Colt on the way home from an outing.  All on paved roads.  Within half an hour I managed to blow a new tire in a pothole.  Fortunately a friendly native Ukrainian stopped and loaned the tools for the lug nuts that she should have had in the car.  The middle aged peasant was really nice and I had to insist on rewarding him for his help.

Those tiny tires of some imports are especially susceptible to blowouts in potholes.  Wifey  got her revenge by saying "I told you so".   

[JayH]

I have to chuckle about your comments on the roads.  Having driven everything from a semi to my little 560SL I thought I was cool to drive in Ukraine.  Even my 4 wheel drive pickups have never had a problem navigating fire roads in the US.

I finally convinced Larissa to allow me to drive her Mitsubishi Colt on the way home from an outing.  All on paved roads.  Within half an hour I managed to blow a new tire in a pothole.  Fortunately a friendly native Ukrainian stopped and loaned the tools for the lug nuts that she should have had in the car.  The middle aged peasant was really nice and I had to insist on rewarding him for his help.

Those tiny tires of some imports are especially susceptible to blowouts in potholes.  Wifey  got her revenge by saying "I told you so".   

One of the many really nice experiences I have had is when I have had car issues. I had a problem with rental car discharging battery overnight -I roll started it  but 20 seconds later managed to stall it in the middle of an intersection !!  Uphill in every direction- the policemen that came over( no english !!) helped push the car to one side--  grabbed a parked taxi driver  who was sent to collect a set of jumper leads . In 5 minutes--problem solved !!  Of course--much laughter at my expense for stalling it and instructions not to do it again!! I saw similar scenes often-- the culture of assisting someone in trouble with a car is strong.

[calmissile]

One of the many really nice experiences I have had is when I have had car issues. I had a problem with rental car discharging battery overnight -I roll started it  but 20 seconds later managed to stall it in the middle of an intersection !!  Uphill in every direction- the policemen that came over( no english !!) helped push the car to one side--  grabbed a parked taxi driver  who was sent to collect a set of jumper leads . In 5 minutes--problem solved !!  Of course--much laughter at my expense for stalling it and instructions not to do it again!! I saw similar scenes often-- the culture of assisting someone in trouble with a car is strong.

It is one of the characteristics I love about Ukrainians.  They don't ask who you support at elections, what your political view is and they rarely ask for money to assit someone in need.

Once the 'ice is broken' you might end up at someones house drinking and partying as part of the family.  In spite of the thugs and other undesireables, the Ukraine people have a heart that is hard to beat.

[AkMike]

It is one of the characteristics I love about Ukrainians.  They don't ask who you support at elections, what your political view is and they rarely ask for money to assit someone in need.

Once the 'ice is broken' you might end up at someones house drinking and partying as part of the family.  In spite of the thugs and other undesireables, the Ukraine people have a heart that is hard to beat.

That's a very good description of almost everyone that I've met in or from UA. Genuine salt of the earth type folks!

[JayH]

I borrowed this from another thread--it touches on some of the comments made above.
 


""Re: ML and Ukrainian Women.
« Reply #833 on: November 03, 2014, 09:03:18 AM »
Quote
I am back in USA after three months in foreign lands.

Have had some great experiences with construction workers in Ukraine.  Really great people who will do anything for people they like and respect.  Very hard workers . . . up until the drinking starts.

I have probably picked up a fair Ukrainian vocabulary; but most are words that shouldn't be repeated in mixed company.http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/Themes/default/images/bbc/glow.gif

Many evidences that Russian peoples are truly the scum of the earth.

Still jet lagging, so will be awhile before I catch up on the happenings here.

Ochka is doing great and has kept the homestead running in my absence.

Gator, I mistyped.  TIA, not TMI.""

[lordtiberius]

Inflation hurts the regular folks.  But yet there is a real demand for foriegn products.  Inflation means those remittances to Ukraine give those increased purchasing power.  I predict the number of cars to n the road to double in 2 years.  The US will build 3 NATO bases, one in Lviv, a naval base in Odessa and another in Kharkiv.

[BorisS]

Inflation hurts the regular folks.  But yet there is a real demand for foriegn products.  Inflation means those remittances to Ukraine give those increased purchasing power.  I predict the number of cars to n the road to double in 2 years.  The US will build 3 NATO bases, one in Lviv, a naval base in Odessa and another in Kharkiv.

In two years?

[AC]

In two years?

He's a rah rah cheerleader in fantasyland.   

[lordtiberius]

In two years?

Why not?  Ukraine could make the invitation public and twist the arms of the cowards on live TV.

[AkMike]

Ukraine doesn't meet the requirements of being a NATO member at the moment. That's why an associate membership has been discussed some.

 NATO membership isn't the answer nor is it on the table at this point either.

[AC]

Ukraine doesn't meet the requirements of being a NATO member at the moment. That's why an associate membership has been discussed some.

 NATO membership isn't the answer nor is it on the table at this point either.

Mike you should know that facts don't matter in fantasyland.

[lordtiberius]

Opinions scare people.

[AkMike]

Doug, I'll look for the pics from my driving a 1964 Volga, 4 banger and 3 on the tree last spring.

 That was a car for the "party members" back in the day.

[JayH]

Ukraine  today 2015 -- for those that think they are going to a 3rd world country~~

[AkMike]

And here's one from my "UA hometown."

Cherkassy

[JayH]

Nice Mike--shows city off well and the beautiful river ! Just south of Cherkasy the river opens up to huge width-- like and inland sea or bay - with rolling hills casting a wonderful view across the river and landscape.
Cherkasy is a very nice city-- many wonderful looking girls and underfished I think- as it is not far from Kiev  not hard to get to and easy place to find your way around.

[AkMike]

That's where I landed my trophy 10 years ago!  It's a nice town and we'll be moving there in a couple of more years to be with family and friends after I retire. Now we're just laying the groundwork, looking at housing nearby.

[lordtiberius]

The EU should step up the free trade provisions of the Association Agreement.  There is no more need to kowtow to Moscow.

[LAman]

That's where I landed my trophy 10 years ago!  It's a nice town and we'll be moving there in a couple of more years to be with family and friends after I retire. Now we're just laying the groundwork, looking at housing nearby.

Congrats Mike!!! It would quite a change for you but I am sure your wife is very grateful for your love and support ( and coming back home  )
I have always wondered what it would be like, certainly for me the extreme change in weather, but the things to do to fill time.

[Anotherkiwi]

Ukraine  today 2015 -- for those that think they are going to a 3rd world country~~

That brings back plenty of memories, but I didn't spend any time on the east bank (no tourist sights) so I didn't see the amazing coloured apartment blocks at the end of the video.  These are between the E95 and ul. Berezneva, a couple of kilometres east of the river.

[lordtiberius]

Ukraine needs a lend lease and a Marshall Plan.  It should come from the West with the US and Germany leading the way.

[JayH]

Ukraine needs a lend lease and a Marshall Plan.  It should come from the West with the US and Germany leading the way.

Not quite in those terms--but in principle yes. This will be the benefit of the suffering Ukrainians have done in the confrontation with Russia and being slap in the frontline in the future.
Ukraine will get the economic help they desperately need--I just do not want to see Ukraine forced into Territorial compromises to access economic aid.
The bonus for the west-- a thriving Ukraine will see the demise of Putin and his Soviet empire aspirations.

[lordtiberius]

I agree.  Any Territorial concessions is a nonstarter.  My main complaint is the West encouraged the revolution but now wants European security and prosperity on the cheap.  The only complaint I have against Ukraine is that more should be done to give local and regional autonomy, the people should have more a say in government, the bums need to be thrown out and the government needs to be cut.  5% of GDP on military spending ain't going to cut it against a country 3 times your size in population.

[JayH]

A few interesting videos-- watching shows many places I have seen.

[JayH]

And more--