Crimea

Trip Start Sep 25, 2004
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33
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Trip End Dec 22, 2006


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Wednesday, July 26, 2006

I just returned home from a week adventure to Crimea, and spent over 24 hours on a train with windows that would NOT open, and NO air conditioning. It was the most sticky, miserable train ride I've ever had. I tried to console myself imagining how much worse it would be if I was a wartime prisoner being shipped off without a place to sit, or a toilet. But that thought didn't make me feel better. I drank all 4 liters of water
that I brought with me, and went through a whole packet of wet wipes. At least I was reading a good book- "The Blind Assasin" by Margaret Atwood (a series of stories intertwined about a 1900's family that deals with wealth, wars and the depression).

The journey was worth it (yes, Crimea is THAT awesome)! All that travel for 3 days spent on Crimean beaches, 5 nights with Kathleen (a wonderful 61-yr-old volunteer) in Simferopil, and lots of bonding with Natalya and Ira (my Sokal friends) Ancient Statue near Sevastopil
Ancient Statue near Sevastopil
 . We strolled through the palace where Stalin and Roosevelt made huge decisions which have shaped the USA's relationship with the Middle East. I got a little bronzed (hopefully nothing cancerous) on the beaches of Yevpatoria. On the final day, we rested at an ancient Greek/ Roman port, Chersonets, near Sevastopil (the military city). We climbed and swam through the ruins! It was marvelous.

I learned a lot about Crimea. It certainly feels like Russia. A higher percentage of people in Crimea want to be part of Russia than Russians! There seems to be a LOT of corruption and ogliarch control in Crimea, and it is hard to know how the people are being manipulated by the owners of the businesses and military. I thought that Michael Moore could have a lot o fun making a documentary film about the Crimean government, but then he'd probably wind up with a volcano face like Yushchenko- or worse).

I saw Muslims, and Tatars. It's sad what happened to the Tatars, but I admire them for moving back to their land. It will be interesting to see the future of Crimea since so many treaties will expire in the next decade. They may decide to become an independent
country. Whatever they do, I hope they do it peacefully. I am glad I visited while I had the chance.
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