evs_winnica: First exploration of Ukraine

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...