What can surprise you in Ukraine? Memories from Lviv.

Let it be a guide along with curiosities. Anyone who visited Ukraine would probably agree with the majority of my post. Ukraine is a beautiful country with vast plains, we often have the impression of being unused, abandoned and left alone. A particularly beautiful area that I remember is Lviv, Zolochiv and Podhorka.

Let's focus on what we will see in Ukraine:

After the overthrow of Yanukovych's rule, there were changes, not only in perceiving the law, but also a sense of patriotism among the citizens of this country. Ukrainian flags are everywhere, at offices (because it is a standard) but also on private properties.

The Ukrainian Police has changed beyond recognition. We will no longer see the uniforms of the Militia, because until recently it was Russian. Today, it's Police in uniforms copied from Americans. And here is the curiosity, Policemen riding in police cars always uses flashing lights even though it does not intervene. From a distance, we can see the police car and ask for help. The police cars are also slowly changing to more modern ones.

Public transport.
In Lviv itself is full of yellow buses. I honestly say that I was afraid to get on. The guide who was with me said that there is no pressure to check the technical condition of these vehicles. These vehicles can not see what this review is. Often patched and rusty and in addition overcrowded. I had the opportunity to see even the intervention of the canary. I think the boy forgot his ticket and did not want to accept the ticket (if he gets one). Kanar threw him from the vehicle onto the street with such impetus that he bent the door in this bus. Of course, the canary was sure, he had a vest and ID. From what I noticed there, problems are solved quickly.

toilets:
It was a shock for me, maybe less than for women. Even in restaurants it's hard to find a normal toilet seat! Strange true? Not for them.
Often it is a regular hole in the floor, one next to the other without the curtains separating them. If there is a curtain up to the height of my navel. If you want to see if you are busy and are afraid of pulling the door handle, you do not have to bother to see someone who is just producing it from a distance.

If you already do the second you will be surprised again. There, you do not throw toilet paper into the hole. Everyone puts the paper in the basket next to it. The drains and pipes will get away (probably because). You know how it looks, especially if someone does not empty it on time.

Beggars and beggars:
It is full of people who beg on the street. If they hear Polish, they will probably come and ask for a zloty. The hryvnia is not interested in them. For us, a zloty is a small loss, for them huge money. Grannies with plates for money is a standard. The most dangerous for our portfolio may be pregnant mothers with a swarm of children. We must be careful not to lose the wallet. I had two such situations, that only my shout caused the departure of such a family. You will give the zloty more, giving reasons why they need more money. If we do not react firmly, they will not let go.

Trade fairs and baby markets:
Ukraine is not in the European Union, so there are no special regulations regarding the trade in self-produced goods and there are no designated places of sale. There, everything is sold everywhere. If you want to buy something to eat from the market, watch out because it can hurt your stomach. A lot of people sell eggs and cheese. At this temperature, we all understand that buying anything is not sensible. They sell books, coins and all kinds of antiques. It is known, we can not move everything across the border, so it may be unnecessary expense.

Followers of Stepan Bandera:

There are many of them, often there are places where Poles are very important. We will visit them at the palaces or castles once belonging to Poland in the glory days of the Kingdom of Poland. They do not really approve, but they imply that we are not seen. I've already added a post on this subject along with photos.

Photos and camerawork in temples.
Rather, there is no problem if we do not do it in an intrusive and tactless way. If in some place you do not wish to take pictures or cameraways on the walls, you will find such information.

Talks about politics and Polish-Ukrainian relations:
It's better not to touch this topic. Not everyone is fascinated with the flag, but you never know. For most, he is a hero and a criminal for us. They are reluctant to talk about their sympathy for this character. Anyway, you can do it yourself, or you'll see that attachment to Bandera is. It is enough to sometimes see the facade of buildings and monuments.

Kitchen:
Medium-sized beer, I prefer Polskie the more that I come from Lubelski where the beer is from the thunder. You know Browar Lubelskie, Perła, etc. I would recommend Pielmieni is a national dish, the more so that it is similar to Russian dumplings. We often get everything on separate plates. Cutlet separately, salad too.


Souvenirs: I suggest you purchase a shoe wiper with the face of Yanukovich, or toilet paper with his beautiful face and Putin. It has been a hit in Ukraine for several years.

Ukraine rich or poor?

It is a country so diverse that at times we see huge poverty to see extraordinary wealth in a moment. In Ukraine, there are still oligarchs who, at the expense of ordinary less educated people, profit. Ukraine still has a problem with corruption and informing. It is a pity that I can not show pictures from Villa Yanukovych. It is not allowed to photograph or take pictures. I saw a $ 9 million chandelier with my own eyes. Yanukovich had a zoo and his own microclimate. Sometimes, however, looking at the streets, we feel like we would be back in the 60's or 70's.

Ukraine is a beautiful country with unused potential. It is a pity, but what can not be done depends on us, small.
It's worth visiting and seeing everything with your own eyes. Looking from the perspective of Ukraine in Poland, it is not so bad, it is very good and it would be even better.