A look back--Trip Summary
Trip Start
Aug 21, 2004
1
7
8
Trip End
Sep 16, 2004
New Orleans,
Louisiana,
United States
Friday, September 17, 2004
In general, Eastern Europe (visual impression) is much wealthier, much more beautiful, much more "European" than I imagined! Churches and cathedrals, castles and palaces--so many historic and beautiful buildings wonderfully-restored! I will always remember the gilded-gold-domed Orthodox Churches--shining brightly across the skyline.
But beyond the visual lies a smoldering and intriguing aspect to uncover--the People!
Call it a cloud--hanging like a close-in ceiling over their heads...attribute it to years of repression, to conformity and mindless acceptance. To be enclosed, like a dog in a cage--cowering, and beaten into submission until fully committed to the commands of the master. Such are the people that form the older generation. They were promised a job, transportation, housing...a pension in old age. These promises have come to an end. They were not free--now they are. Yet...with freedom...with increased autonomy...comes a command--to "make" something of yourself! The challenge--how to "make" something when you have never developed the skill of thinking for yourself...never known a need for "initiative"...never believed that individual effort would result in improved benefits! A big challenge! An incredible change in mindset!
Well...with the old...is the new! Just as the colors of the Supreme Soviet have been supplanted with the optimistic Blue and Gold (Ukraine)...just as the ways of the past are giving way to the present--the younger generation brings with them hope and happiness, optimism and opportunity! Yet...just as new replaces old...old resists new--the Ukraine (and Eastern Europe) is in the midst of a great struggle!
The old is corrupt. The old is underpaid. The old doesn't smile. The old doesn't care. The old begrudgingly accepts life the way it USED TO BE, shares no hope for the future, and resolves to live within the rules of life as they knew it.
The new is alive. The new is energized. The new is young and in the process of forming. The new is knowledgable, and knows a better life not only exists, but is possible.
I will forever remember the many frustrations--from buying train or bus tickets to booking stays in a hotel. From phone calls attempted...communication never achieved. The grouchy representatives...the resistance at sharing truthful information...the desire to enrich own pockets. I will remember pushy people, rude people, people who don't smile, and people driven by selfishness. I will remember smokers because, they are EVERYWHERE!
Yet I will also remember the generous people--helping me find my way, helping me arrange transportation. I will remember the smiles shared--yes, SOME people DO smile! I will remember moments of warmth that erased previous dark moments.
I will remember happy times...I will remember hugs and handshakes.
I will remember how many tomatoes (about 6.6 LBS) I bought one day from an old babuska--for about 18 cents!
I will remember incredibly-cheap train rides ($6.50 for a 17 hr trip--including a bed to sleep in--from Sevastopol to Kiev).
I will remember border crossings (or attempts thereof)!
I will remember beautiful bodies on the beach (Romania...Ukraine too!)
I will remember teaching English--albeit "American Slang"--to 4 High School classes in a private school in Odessa (earned $15)!
I will remember hitch hiking in Romania...and into The Ukraine as well!
I will remember not understanding a word...but somehow still communicating!
I will remember moments of spontaneity--so beautiful and perfect...
I will remember vistas and natural beauty...
But more than that...
I will remember conversations and beautiful people--people with hearts of gold just waiting to be discovered!
Oh...and...I will remember TOMATOES too! "A tomato a day...is nowhere near enough!"
Paul
p.s. I will remember Amsterdam too--remember that I would love to return to this canal-clad city...and envison that Brugges, Belgium is probably the perfect Western European destination for me!
