Ukraine: Recent Experiences Layed Out

To start out, to all the English grammarians out there, the use of the archaic "layed" was intentional and not a mistake! That is all. (Perhaps "End of line" would be better here?)

As many already know, or could have guessed, I am in Ukraine! It is a lovely country with a deep history. I have been in Ukraine previously having visited a couple of major cities: Lviv and Kharkiv (Kharkov). Very few people spoke English, and it was a bit difficult to get around. I decided to not learn from those experiences and come back ... to a village no less!

My arrival at the airport in Kyiv was not exceptionally glamourous or eventful, fortunately. I made it through passport control with little interaction ... I filled out the immigration paper that one generally fills out when they arrive at the airport internationally, but they had no wish to see it. I am not sure why it was there if they didn't expect one to fill it out. Maybe it was just for those who had a visa or something!

I was met upon arrival by a non-English speaking driver who held up a sign with my name. He took me to the hotel the company had arranged for me. It was a nice hotel that apparently has a nice breakfast included in the price. Unfortunately, the next day I would be required to do a health check-up, so I would be unable to put that information to good use.

I attempted to take a walk around the neighborhood, but I was too tired to do anything of consequence and returned to the hotel to get some rest. I plugged in something I had brought with me without previously looking at it to make sure that it was like most of my devices: dual voltage, and I blew a fuse/circuit. I was able to bring myself to call to report it, but I don't think they believed me. They said they would tell someone and send them up, but no one ever came, and the lights were off for the duration. It seems that I have to break something in Ukraine when I come :)

Yesterday, I went to the next town over to see what it was like and if anything was open. I had no idea as to when the bus went, so I decided to walk there instead. I figured it would be a nice walk through the countryside and as it is only 20km, it shouldn't be too bad. I forgot that I would probably have to walk back as well.

Cobblestone road on the way to/from Olvesk.

After arriving, I walked around town. A large number of shops were closed, but there were still quite a few small markets that were not. I picked up a few small things that I have no idea what to do with, but it was good to actually buy something ;)

Small bridge upon entering Olvesk.

The walk home was a long and arduous one. I was sore, I was tired, and I wasn't exactly sure where I was going. Along the way, I had a couple of people stop and, I think, offer me rides. One person stopped and asked me for directions; always a bit awkward when you don't speak the language. About 6km out, a guy in a white van/truck who had passed me going the other way, stopped and asked where I was going. I told him Radowell, and he asked a few more questions I didn't understand, and then asked if I worked at the school in Radowell. I told him yes. He apparently lives in Radowell, and he drove me to where he was going (maybe a half kilometer from where I live), and let me out there. From the looks of the place, I would say he is a milkman. I just wish I had known enough of the language to be able to talk with him along the way (I think ;) ).

The road frequently interferes with the potholes.

The vast nothingness one sees between villages.