Kiev, Ukraine November 9, 2015 11AM
I'm at the airport in Kiev. When I arrived I found that my flight was canceled due to a strike by Lufthansa. Not good.
But then good news. There is a British Airways flight to London and another to Washington which will put me there almost the same time as my previous United Airlines flight. And the Swiss guy standing next to me in line says the BA flights to the USA are great. That's how he always flies. Super!
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Thursday, November 5, 2015
The Carpathians
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine Nov 4, 2015, 3AM
My walk seemed endless. And I was getting farther from the center of town and therefore it seemed more and more improbable that I would reach my desired destination.
I was looking for the "TI". The Tourist Information bureau. The first thing you seek in a new town you're visiting. I didn't find one in Chernivtsi. I wasn't surprised as I thought I had read that Lviv is unusual in Ukraine for having a TI. And the woman at the hotel reception desk told me they didn't have one in this city.
But I had seen a poster on the main square for a smartphone walking tour app which referred to a tourist office on the square. So I went into the town hall building in the center of square to inquire. The young woman didn't speak much English but we were able to communicate and she drew me a nice map on a scrap of paper with a picture of blocks, a park, the street name and the number 67.
My walk seemed endless. And I was getting farther from the center of town and therefore it seemed more and more improbable that I would reach my desired destination.
I was looking for the "TI". The Tourist Information bureau. The first thing you seek in a new town you're visiting. I didn't find one in Chernivtsi. I wasn't surprised as I thought I had read that Lviv is unusual in Ukraine for having a TI. And the woman at the hotel reception desk told me they didn't have one in this city.
But I had seen a poster on the main square for a smartphone walking tour app which referred to a tourist office on the square. So I went into the town hall building in the center of square to inquire. The young woman didn't speak much English but we were able to communicate and she drew me a nice map on a scrap of paper with a picture of blocks, a park, the street name and the number 67.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Chernivtsi to Ivano-Frankivsk
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine Nov 2, 2015 8AM
The waiter serving breakfast smiled. Which made me think of another thing that was strange about the guy I shared the compartment with on the 2 1/2 hour train ride which brought me here last night. He never smiled.
Far from it. There was a menacing air about him when he entered the compartment. Or was it sinister? Later, I decided maybe it was just a very somber mien. Or maybe all three words are accurate.
In his early 40's and of average height and build, he wore a black sweater, black pants, black shoes, black socks. He had a black jacket and a black brief case. His hair was black. I did not dare take his picture.
The waiter serving breakfast smiled. Which made me think of another thing that was strange about the guy I shared the compartment with on the 2 1/2 hour train ride which brought me here last night. He never smiled.
Far from it. There was a menacing air about him when he entered the compartment. Or was it sinister? Later, I decided maybe it was just a very somber mien. Or maybe all three words are accurate.
In his early 40's and of average height and build, he wore a black sweater, black pants, black shoes, black socks. He had a black jacket and a black brief case. His hair was black. I did not dare take his picture.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Night train to Chernivtsi
Chernivtsi, Ukraine October 29, 2015
I certainly didn't plan it this way. But then that's how best it seems to work.
Last night I arrived in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. Almost 6 hours by train from Lviv. This is the first night train I've taken so a worthy new experience.
It was to be in a 4 person compartment with 3 strangers. I envisioned doing some real field work on the political situation here. A few days ago there were municipal elections all over the country with significant changes not good but could be worse. I suppose.
I figured in almost 6 hours I could find a lot of anecdotal (admittedly) evidence of how people feel here, the long time together on the train overcoming the difference in language.
I certainly didn't plan it this way. But then that's how best it seems to work.
Last night I arrived in Chernivtsi, Ukraine. Almost 6 hours by train from Lviv. This is the first night train I've taken so a worthy new experience.It was to be in a 4 person compartment with 3 strangers. I envisioned doing some real field work on the political situation here. A few days ago there were municipal elections all over the country with significant changes not good but could be worse. I suppose.
I figured in almost 6 hours I could find a lot of anecdotal (admittedly) evidence of how people feel here, the long time together on the train overcoming the difference in language.
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