Welcome to Ukraine

[melianna12]

Following up on the discussion called 'Rhodesian family', I would like to introduce my country - Ukraine. I'm engaged to a Rhodesian man and we share the love for both our homelands.

This is Kyiv - our capital and my city in May, a beautiful season here when the lilacs are in bloom.

http://www.ukrainehotelsonline.com/UserFiles/Image/Ukraine-Kiev/kyiv.jpg

Not many Africans like the cold, but there is much to be enjoyed about wintry Kyiv - unless the roads freeze in -20, of course! But that is quite rare...

http://www.traveltoukraine.org/images/Gallery/kyiv8_big.jpg

The historical street of Andriivsky Uzviz stands for Old Kyiv.

http://www.uaproperty.com/images/city/Kyiv3.jpg

The gigantic statue of 'Mother Homeland' dominates the cityscape here.

http://englishrussia.com/images/volgograd_monument/1.jpg

Kyiv's Independence square is an island of light by night.

http://hk2010.rivok.com/images/turist/independence_square2.jpg

This is how it looked during the peaceful Orange Revolution:

http://www.theorangerevolution.com/maydan.jpg

A lady stands here in traditional Ukrainian folk attire. No, we don't wear it every day, but many visitors find it quite beautiful.

http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/70153/70153,1224250480,3/stock-photo-young-lady-in-ukrainian-costume-near-birch-19051918.jpg

One of our best-known modern singers is Ruslana.

http://www.ruslana.com.ua/images/clipdt/6197.jpg

There are many parts to Ukraine and if I get some comments to this I will make a selection of the places that I cherish personally. A taste of it... Sparrow's Nest, a castle in Crimea, southern Ukraine.

http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/environment/assets/swallows_nest_crimea.jpg

I look forward to your comments!
Anastasia

[Tricky Nicky]

Wow - it looks absolutely beautiful. Definitely worth a visit I think - thanks for sharing x :smiley20:

[melianna12]

Thank you Tricky Nicky! I will come up with more, give me time and some interest from members :)

[traveler]

Looks like I may have chosen the wrong part of the world to move to.

[melianna12]

Looks like I may have chosen the wrong part of the world to move to.

:) Thanks! More pictures below.... Just to make this into one post.

This phenomenon is not ice... or sleet... It only becomes possible after a thaw when it rains in daytime and then freezes overnight... making the trees and buldings look like furry ice sculptures over the next several days.

http://photos.lifeisphoto.ru/22/2/227872.jpg

From winter to spring - in Shevchenko park in front of my university. Take a closer look and you could see me at my coffee in the distance :)

http://publications.spo.ua/_userfiles/image/photoreport/parki_kieva/2.jpg

A look at Mandarin Plaza from above:

http://content.foto.mail.ru/mail/marcshenko.alina/_blogs/i-232.jpg

And back to autumn and my beloved Shevchenko park... the eponymous monument (to Shevchenko the Ukr. poet) in the center.

http://tourvkiev.ru/8e05a1f63ff6931d6cd32436a8d1aab2.jpg

Andriivski uzviz (look up for winter pic) turns to gold.
http://s59.radikal.ru/i165/1004/dc/eea54af63d83.jpg

All pics are not mine and taken off trusted websites.

[jiggs]

Awesome pictures and very pretty looking place but what is all that white stuff?

And how do Ukranian families raise their children in comparison to Rhodesian?

[zimajays]

OMG that is stunning! Very nice to see. Like a picture out of a fairy story!

[ozwheels]

Amazing pics Mellianna. A big contrast to my adopted country. I have posted some pics in Southern Hemisphere called Oz's Travel Pics. Take a look.

[melianna12]

Jiggs, you've asked a big question... First thing is, in Ukraine children are raised with lots of love - not only that, but their position in the family hierarchy of priorities is pretty much central. In Rhodesia, so my fiance says, kids are loved very much and certainly they are important, but the needs of the adults come first, and children are treated quite strictly, and sent to boarding schools to get their schooling. Now, to a Ukrainian sending a child to a boarding school could be a terrifying prospect. Children are raised with help from the whole family - ideally, grannies, aunties and cousins all have a hand in their process. And if you want to make friends or find a way to a Ukrainian woman's heart, say something nice about her baby. :smiley20:

That said, I don't approve of all parts of the Ukrainian childraising traditions. I think men (fathers) should contribute more to the process, and I think young boys should be treated more strictly and not be pampered like they are. I have fewer issues with the values instilled into girls :)

[melianna12]

OMG that is stunning! Very nice to see. Like a picture out of a fairy story!

:)

[melianna12]

Amazing pics Mellianna. A big contrast to my adopted country. I have posted some pics in Southern Hemisphere called Oz's Travel Pics. Take a look.

Will do now! :)

[jiggs]

Jiggs, you've asked a big question... First thing is, in Ukraine children are raised with lots of love - not only that, but their position in the family hierarchy of priorities is pretty much central. In Rhodesia, so my fiance says, kids are loved very much and certainly they are important, but the needs of the adults come first, and children are treated quite strictly, and sent to boarding schools to get their schooling. Now, to a Ukrainian sending a child to a boarding school could be a terrifying prospect. Children are raised with help from the whole family - ideally, grannies, aunties and cousins all have a hand in their process. And if you want to make friends or find a way to a Ukrainian woman's heart, say something nice about her baby. :smiley20:

That said, I don't approve of all parts of the Ukrainian childraising traditions. I think men (fathers) should contribute more to the process, and I think young boys should be treated more strictly and not be pampered like they are. I have fewer issues with the values instilled into girls :)


Defenitly sounds like Rhodies upbringing is stricter than yours but seems like family plays a bigger role than ours although we are a close family without seeing it first hand comparing the two would be difficult.

Thanks

[Sam Edwards]

Jiggs, you've asked a big question... First thing is, in Ukraine children are raised with lots of love - not only that, but their position in the family hierarchy of priorities is pretty much central. In Rhodesia, so my fiance says, kids are loved very much and certainly they are important, but the needs of the adults come first, and children are treated quite strictly, and sent to boarding schools to get their schooling. Now, to a Ukrainian sending a child to a boarding school could be a terrifying prospect. Children are raised with help from the whole family - ideally, grannies, aunties and cousins all have a hand in their process. And if you want to make friends or find a way to a Ukrainian woman's heart, say something nice about her baby. :smiley20:

That said, I don't approve of all parts of the Ukrainian childraising traditions. I think men (fathers) should contribute more to the process, and I think young boys should be treated more strictly and not be pampered like they are. I have fewer issues with the values instilled into girls :)
Yes alot of Zim kids went to boarding school (me included) but more often than not it was because the closest school is a few hours away and it is impossible to do the trip to drop off and pick up kids everyday. I know my folks and many of the other folks HATED sending their kids to boarding school but had no choice.
Your photos are awsome. Definatly looks like a place worth seeing. Thanks for sharing.

[ozwheels]

Anastasia

Firstly let me say how impressed I am with your command of the English language. You write extremely well and I have enjoyed your posts.
I on the other hand, like most English speaking people am unable to speak any other language fluently, let alone write it and get the syntax, grammar and spelling correct.
So well done you are credit to yourself.

Having introduced us to Ukraine, I have spent a little time researching on Google and have learned a lot more.
Growing up, while I learned a little about the USSR, we were never made aware that all of the various Socialist States within the USSR were in many instances originally independant countries with their own languge and cullture, I always thought for example that Ukraine and Georgia were states of Russia. Likewise Yugoslavia was always presented as a single Socialist Counrty.
So, it was only after the break up of Communism and the USSR that I began to understand the complexity of the situation and how contolling the Communist regime had been.
For example, I had never heard of Herzegovina, Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Slovenia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Azerbayan, Kajhistan, Moldova and Moldova, only finding out after the break up that these were all independant countries swallowed up and suppressed by the Communists. Anyway, it has been good over the last few years to hear more and more about all of the re-emerging counties and their place in history.

[Patson]

the pictures are awsome and your baby looks beautiful ;) hehe

[melianna12]

the pictures are awsome and your baby looks beautiful ;) hehe

Good one! :)

[melianna12]

Anastasia

Firstly let me say how impressed I am with your command of the English language. You write extremely well and I have enjoyed your posts.
I on the other hand, like most English speaking people am unable to speak any other language fluently, let alone write it and get the syntax, grammar and spelling correct.
So well done you are credit to yourself.

Having introduced us to Ukraine, I have spent a little time researching on Google and have learned a lot more.
Growing up, while I learned a little about the USSR, we were never made aware that all of the various Socialist States within the USSR were in many instances originally independant countries with their own languge and cullture, I always thought for example that Ukraine and Georgia were states of Russia. Likewise Yugoslavia was always presented as a single Socialist Counrty.
So, it was only after the break up of Communism and the USSR that I began to understand the complexity of the situation and how contolling the Communist regime had been.


Ozwheels, thank you for noting my English. I owe it also to my teachers and to my parents who made sure I had stuff to learn on those Friday evenings :). I often catch myself thinking in English! I'm lucky enough to have lots of exposure to the language as it is my job and my hobby, and my English-speaking friends add a streak of colloquial and slang if I risk becoming too refined!

There's a big debate on the starting point for reckoning Ukrainian history. There has been civilization of some sort in this area for some 6000 years, but the Trypillia culture, which left behind lots of pottery and more speculation than fact, can hardly be attributed to Ukrainian culture specifically.

The first culture really fostered in Ukraine would be the Kyiv Rus, which existed from circa 700 until the 1200s (the Mongol invasion) - its offshoots lasted even longer. Unfortunately, due to some bad Western as well as Imperalist (Russian 19th century) scholarship, many books on popular science that lots of people would read, rely on the Norman theory for the origins of this state. It runs like this: Vikings came down the Dnieper to Slavic lands and they came across this great state, and the leaders of it said please we can never agree between ourselves, could you please manage us? Not a very likely story is it? The role of the Vikings is undeniable in Ukraine at that stage, but calling them founders of Rus statehood is way too much. The name Rus, of course, has nothing to do with them. It is inherently Slavic.

I know that Ukraine has a history of being misinterpreted in history books, maybe I could if not correct this, at least introduce other options :)

[Nyala]

The photos you've posted are amazing, what a lovely place.

[Mullah]

Melianna .................................... I was wondering if you have any contacts within the ag industry. I know that there is a lot of agriculture in the Ukraine. Please send me a PM with an email address that I can send a resume too.


Your photos of the Ukraine are exactly as I anticipated it to be.

[Shayne]

Wow, didnt realise it was that stunning.

[melianna12]

Wow, didnt realise it was that stunning.

I love the way everyone is commenting; I could dig up some good videos too - of Ukrainian singers and lifestyles. Just don't go looking for them on youtube - chances are you won't find things that are really indicative.

[boards]

so Patson wants to know if there are any hot chicks there? so he can pick up a date en route to my wedding....

[melianna12]

En route? So that means you live in Eastern Europe as well?
PS Congratulations on the future wedding, too! :smiley20:

[boards]

i wished i had lived in Eastern-Europe.... they have 2 of the finest things in life - good beer and amazing women, both of which Patson will find if he stops over in Kiev/Prague/etc on his way to my shindig!

anyways thanks for the Kind wishes

[pennymac]

wow, what a stunning place, I love the castle, I have a fascination with castles, it was my favorite aspect of Germany.

[melianna12]

wow, what a stunning place, I love the castle, I have a fascination with castles, it was my favorite aspect of Germany.

Penny, when I'm back from work I will think of a couple of UKrainian castle pics to produce.

[ozwheels]

St Michaels - Not a castle but a church - Still pretty impressive!!
Sorry Melianna, hope I haven't stolen your thunder

http://www.thechiefbaboon.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=13922&stc=1&d=1304494338

[Tricky Nicky]

Oh Wow - that is just incredible!

[melianna12]

Taken off the celebrated www.castles.com.ua

http://castles.com.ua/uploads/pics/IMG_0957.jpg

http://castles.com.ua/uploads/pics/v1_z4.jpg

http://castles.com.ua/typo3temp/pics/6099425524.jpg

http://castles.com.ua/typo3temp/pics/ae96fea287.jpg

http://castles.com.ua/typo3temp/pics/c9cfb5868c.jpg

http://castles.com.ua/typo3temp/pics/2554c2b1fc.jpg

http://castles.com.ua/uploads/pics/v1_2850.jpg

http://castles.com.ua/uploads/pics/01zymne.jpg

http://castles.com.ua/uploads/pics/6446.jpg

http://castles.com.ua/typo3temp/pics/23c153e35a.jpg

Specially on request :)