L'viv - Journey into Ukraine

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When you first pass into Ukraine, it hits you like a brick wall - you are no longer in the EU. The border guard questioning you, the men in army fatigues, the soviet mentality, feeling like you've stepped back in time 20 years, the marshutkas (more on that with the photos) and the fact that everything is written in a completely different friggin alphabet.

L'viv managed to escape WW2 unscathed, and is packed with beautiful, if somewhat crumbling old buildings and more churches than you can imagine. From the old castle overlooking town, the old town juxtaposes with towering concrete monstrosities of the old soviet blocks.

Talking with Ukrainians about the current political situation, everyone seems to be dissapointed that not much has changed since the Orange Revolution. Corruption is still apparent, and people are unhappy with Yushenko right now, it will be interesting to see what happens.

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Photos

Random gathering of old people
When I saw the sea of gray hair, I thought there must be some kind of convention or tour group, or something, but no . . . Just a random gathering of old people

Marshutkas are a uniquely Ukrainian form of Transport
I had my first taste of Marshutkas coming from the L'viv train station. Marshutkas have no defined stops, only a start and end. First, they pack as many people in there as humanly possible. If you want to get on, you flag it down, and when you want to get off, you just yell something in Ukrainian, and they pull over and let you out.

Protest against Mayor of L'viv
There is still a great deal of corruption in Ukrainian goverment. This was a protest against the Mayor, who promised to improve the potholed streets and crumbling old buildings of L'viv, has spent the money allocated towards this, but little improvement has been seen.

Comments

[susan]

slavutich
Hi, Was just reading about places in the Ukraine. And was wondering if you knew anything about slavutich. My ex husband to be is moving there to work on the Chernobl project. Was just courious. You can e-mail me at [e-mail]