Monday, December 14, 2009

Quick Report on Ukraine

My overdue greetings to anyone who's actually reading all this! Hope has finally convinced me to take the time to post something about my September trip to Ukraine, although that now seems like it happened years ago.

In the interest of brevity, I'll just share a few of my main observations. Ukraine struck me as a country rich in natural resources (primarily fertile soil and a long growing season) but with a decaying infrastructure and tortured, convoluted history which still casts its shadow over the land. Even so, the Ukrainians we met are extremely warm, friendly people who welcomed us as though we were Sunday regulars rather than (mostly) distant cousins they had never met before. In every home we entered, the hospitality was identical. We were immediately ushered to a neatly-set table, which in some cases was the only table in a small house. Seating us usually seemed to involve every chair and sofa available, but platters would soon begin to arrive, heaped with enough traditional Ukrainian food for our hosts to eat for days. Since some of the hosts were subsistance farmers and none had much to spare, their outpouring of warm hospitality was especially noteworthy and touching.


The Ukrainian economy seems to be very bad and has only gotten worse in the past year, but the people tend to embrace and support those around them while (probably rightfully) blaming distant governmental forces for their difficult circumstances. They also maintain a strong sense of family, and a tour through a photo album generations deep was part of a few of our visits.


Some of the relatives we met are actively trying to find ways to get ahead financially, but with limited success (due to unreliable markets for the grain and meat they are trying to sell). Others seemed resigned to just making do as well as possible and taking care of each other along the way. To portray those in small villages in grossly broad strokes, they will share a toast, a song and a hug with family, shake a fist at the government and then get back to the hard work of scraping by.

These are some of the strongest impressions that have stayed with me since our trip, and I will refrain from going on about our itinerary or what a treat it was to share a trip with Sue, Kristie and Dad. I am especially eager to stop writing now because I fear it could take me a long time to figure out how to add pictures to this post, even if I do enlist the help of a resident pre-teen or two.
Over but not out,
Dave

1 comment:

  1. Great blog, Hope! I was especially interested in reading your post about Ukraine as my husband, son, dog and I are moving to Kiev next winter. I will enjoy reading about your future adventures! Clara (Groton '88)

    ReplyDelete