First exploration of Ukraine – trip to Lviv

First I have to say that even though it’s November, the weather here is amazing, mostly sunny and warm. It was colder when I came than now! But of course the only two rainy days had to happen when we decided to go for a trip. Lviv welcomed us with "British weather", but luckily it wasn’t raining whole day and we could enjoy walks in the city.

When telling about travelling, it’s good to say few words about transport, in this case trains. Polish people are rather used to the fact that they go to the station just before the train leaves, buy ticket and go. As a result sometime you travel standing in the corridor, or like sardines but anyway we don’t now what means - sorry no ticket for the train you have to wait till the morning. In Ukraine it can happen, so you can risk and buy ticket just before leaving or if you want no surprises, it’s better to think about your travel a bit before, and buy tickets’ in advance. You can do it on the station or via Internet (the website is available in English) or on the station, where mostly are long queues to the ticket offices. Besides of this inconvenience, Ukrainian trains are very good. Much faster than Polish PKP (I still remember my way to university about 70 km in 2,5 hours!?), quite comfortable. The second surprise for people can be third class - plackart. Personally I think it’s very good idea, and I would prefer to travel on such kind of train from my city to Polish seaside, than suffering half sitting with 6 other people in one small compartment. In third class there are no compartments, but there are normal sleeping places, and when sitting, you also have quite a lot of place. And finally the most important thing, tickets are really cheap. 

So, after this short introduction, let’s discover Lviv, let’s see it with ours eyes, from our perspective.

It was my second time in Lviv, I could see it in spring colors and a bit grey autumn tones. I would like to say few words about my first trip to Lviv, it was during orthodox Easter. The difference is that during Easter time you can notice much more people in the churches, now they were quite deserted. For the first time I could see also how orthodox celebrate this holiday, I was invited by our host lady on Easter breakfast, which was amazingly delicious and actually same as at home, we aren’t so different all in all;)

I don’t have to introduce the city to Polish people, we all know Lviv, Lwów. Lviv is a city of East and West, I can say more "European", which somehow reminds Kraków and the main square a bit Wrocław. It also have specific atmosphere, which makes you like this city from the first sight. It’s quite polluted and crowded unfortunately, but still a lot of green places, amazing parks around city, on hills, where you can rest from cars, charming little streets in the center, and remaining of past multiculturalism - Armenian church and old Armenian part of the city, ruins of synagogue, Catholic churches, statue of Polish "poet number one" and Polish names on cemetery.

We visited all churches in the center, wonderful diversity, and biggest impression left Armenian one - this was something exotic and what surprised us - the paintings are so realistic on comparison with orthodox or catholic churches.

This part was most impressing

 

I don’t want to present any detailed information as Internet is full of advices what to see and description of all touristic places. I would like to share only my general impressions. This time I really enjoyed the trip to architectural museum it was really much better than the ones which I’ve seen in Poland, built on the hills in the park – the walk there is just amazing even in a bit awful weather (grey sky, darkening quickly and bit rainy). I was only a bit disappointed because our city guide from CS was almost running and we couldn’t isit a place properly.

In Lviv’s architecture you can notice influences of all nations and religions connected during the history with the city – Polish, Jewish, Ukrainians, Tatars, Armenians…and also varied styles from gothic to classicism, all this makes the city very interesting and specific place. I find charming the cobbled streets as well (it isn’t comfortable for cars for sure, but looks wonderful).

Visit in museum can bring not only esthetical impressions but also possibilities to talk with locals in both galleries we met nice old ladies who were very interested in talking with us. People are a bit more open here, after few minutes of talking with babushkas you know half of their lives and they seem very excited about talking with foreigners)) Ah and about trams, can you imagine the driver woman who is correcting her make up while driving? Incredible:D

All in all, we had amazing time in this beautiful city and hopefully we will come back one day!

Lviv main square, lions and I...

 We discovered lovely small and a bit hidden  restaurant with great food and very special atmosphere

and Lviv by night...

Month has passed… or rather flight with astronomic speed

I am in Ukraine already a month, but it seems like much longer. I can say that I already got used to new life, new city etc. Everything isn’t so frightening already. It wasn’t even in the beginning, but all new things cause some kind of fear and stress. Our first clubs in Pangeya Ultima took place and they were quite good. The success of these clubs depends not only on our creativity and abilities but mostly on participants who are great people – they are amazing, interested and cooperation is a pleasure. I never thought I would get satisfaction from leading an event myself, but I learnt here that it’s very possible. Even though I’m stressed before and worrying if the theme would be interesting enough, in the process I forgot about all that and enjoy very much. Here you can see few pictures from my first individual club:

The same satisfaction bring lessons with children, we had 3 of them already and it’s fantastic experience. First time was extremely stressful, but children were very interested and open, they want to communicate with us very much. It’s difficult with Daphnee, but believe me or not language barrier isn’t really existing. Mostly they don’t speak English except of – hello, my name is… but it isn’t a problem for them as more important is their willing and using hands and drawings and if it doesn’t help asking me for translations we all can communicate. 

We have also fun when preparing for classes with the children, you can see on picture our efforts of creating some eco pieces of art :D

Of course our days aren’t only “planned obligatory activities”, but also a lot of free time, so I can do many things, enjoying some ind of freedom and time only for me, which I lack normally. Last week we used our time for trip to Lviv, which will be the topic of next post!