As the war continues in Ukraine I cannot help but think of all the wonderful people that I met there in 1996. They literally would give you the shirt of their back if expressed that you liked it. You would have to tell them three times that it was admiration not that you wanted it. We were helped by so many about where the market was and how to pronounce the words we needed to buy certain items of food. Their sour cream (Smetana) was the best. It was very thick and slightly sweet. We were shown how to add raisins and fry it up for breakfast. It was delicious. We lived in Cherkassy which so far has not seen too much of the aggressiveness of Putin. At this time of year, the boulevard would have the chestnut trees in blossom. It ran down the middle of the street and had many benches to sit on. What a magical place to sit and smell and feel the petals of the chestnuts.
Cherkassy was a relatively young city in comparison to Kyiv where some of the churches have stood for over a thousand years. They were embellished with gold plus stained glass everywhere. It left you in awe to stare up at the ceiling with its grand architecture, and so many pictures. Thin wax candles were there to make prayers. Some streets were paved with cobblestones. Again many historical buildings have and are being demolished. Centuries of architecture are being destroyed as Putin works to not only conquer Ukrainians but all that they have stood for so many years. He seemingly wants to totally whip out an entire culture of people. It seems ironic in so many ways as Kyiv (Ukrainian version) at one point was Russian and pronounced Kiev (Russian version). Many of the men from Russia would come to Ukraine to choose their brides. So many relatives are intertwined in both countries.
While we were in Ukraine we also travelled to Yalta in the southern part of the country on the Black Sea. Yalta is famous for the signing of the treaty at the end of WW2 in 1945 at Livadia Palace. It is rather ironic now as Putin wages war on the East coast that this was a place where the Second World War was ended.
We went up the side of a mountain in a cable car. This was a bit of a challenge as I was, and still am a bit nervous about heights. It was so worth it though to see the beauty of the sea from the top of the mountain. We swam in the Sea as well, while totally avoiding the jellyfish. I picked up a couple of souvenirs from the vast outdoor markets.
My mind is totally boggled with what is happening to Ukraine. I somehow can’t fully grasp how anyone can be that demonic that they would want to whip out an entire people, especially as they are related. To see and hear about women being raped and murdered along with children and babies killed is inconceivable. Hospitals, schools and apartment buildings were all destroyed. Women were forced to deliver their babies in basements with no medical aid. Men were tied up then shot and put in mass graves. I hope that war crimes offences are held against Putin as he ultimately waged this war and is responsible for all that has occurred.
This morning I heard on Your Morning how Ukrainian EcoAction crimes are being investigated. They monitor the environmental damage to Ukraine, which has been the breadbasket for all of Europe. This is also part of the war crimes. They are saying that they have documented over 150 crimes which are irreversible. This includes contaminated soil, water and air. Areas of concern are damage to nuclear power plants, oil depot plants and hazardous waste storage facilities. Ammonia from fertilizers has polluted the water systems in Western Ukraine. There have been explosions in Nutric Acid containers in Eastern Ukraine which can damage human health and nature! It is highly corrosive.
President Zelensky has been a beacon for his people. His daily talks to them and his advocacy for Ukraine throughout the world is admirable. He did not run away to a safe country. He stayed and has not only inspired Ukrainians but the world as well. He has repeatedly tried to secure peace in his country but Putin has his own agenda of securing more land for Russia to get a land border to get to the Sea.
The world has opened its homes and hearts to Ukrainian families. I am grateful for all of this but know that in their hearts many Ukrainians just want to go home. For many now there is no home to go back to and there won’t be for many years as buildings and economies get restructured and rebuilt. I can’t even imagine how awful that is to lose everything. Not just the physical things, but the destruction of families, of Grandparents gone, of ways of life that were routine and loved. There are whole generations of building a life for family, now gone up in smoke. The courage that Ukrainians have shown the world is admirable. To them, they are just trying to survive. Surrounding countries have stepped up to support, house and feed the millions coming across their borders. They are to be praised and supported in their efforts as this too was thrust upon them. So many people around the world have shown their support. In many ways, this has united the global community. Ukraine and its principles are greater than all of us. This is truly good versus evil. May we continue to step forward to help others in need.
Sue
