Ukraine

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UKRAINE;

The train pulled into Lviv station. A new town, new country, the second largest inside Europe.

I rested on the steps outside, with a coffee and a sandwich. Watching the action as a new day began. Commuters were arriving, many were elderly. They seemed to be heading for the local market. Pushing small trolleys packed with sacks of potatoes, onions, carrots, apples, leeks and cabbage. Probably grown on their family plots. Many struggled with their loads as they negotiated the steps. A simple ramp would be the answer. In the waiting room, people were sleeping. Large bags were plentiful, no stylist luggage here. A heavy fusty stench hung in the air.....

Ukraine 2;



Across Europe Dynamo Kiev are well known in football circles. Faynoord came to town for a Champions league game. No one told me the itinerary. Extra clothing, a blow horn, a newspaper and be in good voice. In this country the games start at 10p.m. It was -7C. when the match ended. Everyone has a blue and yellow blow horn, the nations colours. A newspaper because the seats are wet from the frost. A massive open arena, the noise will be deafening. The cold weather is a problem for the visiting team.

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Photos

Lviv
seniors in the town center

European champions league
Dynamo Kiev 2-0 winners over Faynoord [Holland].

Kiev,
Catching the moment in an underground pedestrian way.
[my favourite type of photo].

Chernobyl museum, Kiev
The chernobyl nuclear disaster was in the Ukraine, ninety miles north of the capital.

Return to communism
Seniors protesting to bring back communism

Security
Lviv, the Ukraine army

The motherland
A huge Soviet statue overlooks the Dnipro river in Kiev,
commemorating victory in World-war-two.