My Trips to Ukraine

[oldernotwiser]

I thought I would post a little about my trips to the Ukraine.  I am not sure anything new will be revealed to anyone, however, by putting some of my thoughts and impressions down in words it may help me decide on any future course of actions I may take.

I have traveled to the Ukraine four times in the last two years.  Twice flying in to Kiev/Borispol airport and spending my time primarily in Kharkov.  Twice flying to Odessa airport and spending the majority of the time in Kherson. 

Some comments from me on flying, the long flights do seem to get easier each time I take them.  One of the things that make it a little longer for me is I fly out a regional airport in the Midwest, so I have to connect to an international airport prior to flying out of the country.  I do envy those of you that live close to say New York, or Atlanta,  I would think that trips overseas would be both faster and less expensive for you.  Although I must say, I am not real fond of flying out of JFK, it seems I always spend about two hours on the ground there on the ground just taxiing into position for takeoff, yech.

One of my first impressions, on my first trip to Ukraine, I landed in Kiev and had a driver pick me up and take me from Kiev to Kharkov. 

People drive differently over there, I had read about the differences in driving, but it is truly something that should be experienced.  For much of the road between Borispol and Kharkov is two lane highway.  Also anything might be travelling on the highway, from old trucks going about 20 mph to somebody in a BMW doing about 90.  There is a lot of traffic and drivers take risks you don't normally see here.  My driver was very good, most of the passing he did was only slightly crazy.  Only a couple of times did he take totally crazy risks, and I survived.   Although I did see a nice non lethal crash, and many little memorials on the side of the road, to remind me of my good fortune.

More Later -- Maybe

[Simoni]

I thought I would post a little about my trips to the Ukraine.  I am not sure anything new will be revealed to anyone, however, by putting some of my thoughts and impressions down in words it may help me decide on any future course of actions I may take.

One of my first impressions, on my first trip to Ukraine, I landed in Kiev and had a driver pick me up and take me from Kiev to Kharkov. 

Thanks for sharing, and we look forward to more.

I also had the experience of hiring a driver and making the trip from Kiev to Kharkiv by auto. I did so because the trains were full and only first class tickets were available on planes.   And I just had to get to see a girl in haste!

I'm glad I made the trip by car.  The countryside was beautiful, and reminded me in some ways of the American farmlands.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—   
I took the one less traveled by,   
And that has made all the difference.

[oldernotwiser]

I'm glad I made the trip by car.  The countryside was beautiful, and reminded me in some ways of the American farmlands.

Much of the countryside on the road between Borispol and Kharkov reminded me of Minnesota.  On that trip I traveled during the summer.

On my trips I have traveled twice during the summer, once in the fall and once in early winter.  I must say I enjoyed travelling in the summer the most.  One of the things I noticed was how much more people seem to walk from place to place and use public transportation.  While there are people on the roads with cars, many of the people seem to walk everywhere.  I must say it doesn't seem to hurt the overall fitness of the population, and for me walking in the summer is much more pleasant than walking out in the cold of winter.

OK, with regrets to anyone who thinks I am merely objectifying women.  The sheer number of women with incredibly gorgeous legs is almost beyond imagination, it is also much easier to appreciate this in the summer time, because many of the ladies dress to show off their features, and the number of dresses and skirts that are cut above the knee is not duplicated in the cities I have been to in the US. 

I think If I go back again, it will be in the summertime

A couple of other observations, on my first trip to Kharkov I had many interesting conversations with the interpretor who was assisting me.  One of the things mentioned was that in her opinion, and this is not an exact word for word quote, people in the US could have almost anything they wanted and had the ability to do whatever we wanted, yet we seemed to be overweight and falling far short of what we could considering all the assets at our disposal.

Now, I have to admit, just observing the populace here and there.  I would say we seem to have many more overweight people here.  However, I also found the Ukraine to have it's own contradictions.  Some of the people I met would eat a healthy meal, drink some green tea, then have a cigarette. 

Perhaps, it will not be a month between posts next time.

[Vinnvinny]

Hello oldernotwiser.

I do envy those of you that live close to say New York, or Atlanta ....

I don't. 

People drive differently over there, I had read about the differences in driving, but it is truly something that should be experienced.  For much of the road between Borispol and Kharkov is two lane highway.  Also anything might be travelling on the highway, from old trucks going about 20 mph to somebody in a BMW doing about 90.  There is a lot of traffic and drivers take risks you don't normally see here.  My driver was very good, most of the passing he did was only slightly crazy.  Only a couple of times did he take totally crazy risks, and I survived.   Although I did see a nice non lethal crash, and many little memorials on the side of the road, to remind me of my good fortune.

One of the pluses on the road between Odessa and Kherson is the amount a traffic cops. It does help to slow things down a little. 

What did you think of Kherson?  For me it's one of the most depressing, characterless places I have ever visited. Many pretty girls though and not many Western Men. 

[oldernotwiser]

What did you think of Kherson?  For me it's one of the most depressing, characterless places I have ever visited. Many pretty girls though and not many Western Men. 

I liked Kherson, admittedly I have not seen that much of it.  Just the downtown area, and a few other places that I went to for dinner or dancing.  They have a walking street about 5 blocks long on which cars are not allowed, there are shops and restaurants, during the summer time it is easy to sit outside and people watch as they stroll up and down the street, maybe have a nice long unhurried dinner and some conversation, wish I knew more Russian.

I will share a few photos from last summer.


As far as the ladies go, I thought there were a lot of pretty ladies also, but it seems that way wherever I have gone in the Ukraine.

[Tamara]

Much of the countryside on the road between Borispol and Kharkov reminded me of Minnesota.  On that trip I traveled during the summer.

Interesting remark.  I live in Minnesota and just had friends visiting.  On our way to Wisconsin driving around Minnesota one of them made a remark of how similar to Russia countryside looks.  And it is winter now.