tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post2398015501195190279..comments2024-03-11T03:36:53.787-07:00Comments on TravelnWrite: Ukraine: When Travel brings Headlines HomeJackie and Joel Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-68292515016064026642014-03-08T07:11:23.070-08:002014-03-08T07:11:23.070-08:00Thanks much Mary! I always wonder if readers prefe...Thanks much Mary! I always wonder if readers prefer seeing just 'the good' stuff or if sometimes a bit of 'reality travel' needs to be intermixed. I am sure you've seen both, just as we have. Thanks for the visit today - always appreciated.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-37410131900931744482014-03-07T23:22:57.764-08:002014-03-07T23:22:57.764-08:00I welcome this Hawaiian break for this powerful po...I welcome this Hawaiian break for this powerful post. It's always great to read observations from visitors to countries caught in turmoil before it got thrusted into the headlines. Judging from these pictures, it feels a bit desolate even with that very fancy BW. After learning more about them in the news recently, it's understandable. I'm glad you took us back with you on this trip.Mary {The World IS A Book}http://www.theworldisabook.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-81011940597142502432014-03-07T06:39:29.704-08:002014-03-07T06:39:29.704-08:00Hi Beth, Thanks for taking time to leave a comment...Hi Beth, Thanks for taking time to leave a comment and we hope to see you back here as a regular! I wrote a blog post some time ago about 'when places become people' and that is exactly what you seem to have experienced as well. No longer do I just glance at the headlines - I pay attention to what is happening on those streets I walked and to people I've passed along the way. (Read your blog and loved it - you'll be seeing me there again!)Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-38667319377968193932014-03-07T06:36:46.479-08:002014-03-07T06:36:46.479-08:00Hi Catherine, Thanks for stopping by TravelnWrite ...Hi Catherine, Thanks for stopping by TravelnWrite - we hope to see you here often! You are correct about it feeling like a surreal experience, I kept saying it was like filming a Twilight Zone segment where Rod Serling (in the original show) would step out and say, "Jackie and Joel Smith have realized they aren't in a world they know any longer. . ."Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-17506826012427155092014-03-07T06:25:55.341-08:002014-03-07T06:25:55.341-08:00Oh goodness, I can't imagine how sad Bosnia wo...Oh goodness, I can't imagine how sad Bosnia would have looked and you do find yourself wanting to hug everyone you meet, just to spread a bit of love and warmth, don't you? Thanks for the visit today! xoJackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-50759212400378150252014-03-07T06:24:36.189-08:002014-03-07T06:24:36.189-08:00Have you ever met a security code on a blog that i...Have you ever met a security code on a blog that isn't annoying, Seana? I've given up leaving comments on Word Press blogs because no matter what password I choose, it is never 'valid' on more than one person's blog. You'd think the creators could come up with something more user friendly. And yes, I do use a spam filter as well as Captcha - and still the spam comments sneak through. . .thanks for percervering!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-65691250614169355982014-03-07T05:33:38.470-08:002014-03-07T05:33:38.470-08:00Such a poignant post. I've often had the same ...Such a poignant post. I've often had the same feelings - like at the time of the devastating earthquake in Chile, or last June during the riots in Turkey. There's something about travel that connects us to the place and the people we met there, and there's no question that it makes it more aware of the headlines.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01681732058311386672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-82874156854272451102014-03-07T00:06:47.695-08:002014-03-07T00:06:47.695-08:00The whole situation in Ukraine really saddens me, ...The whole situation in Ukraine really saddens me, I hate the feeling that there is nothing I can really do to help. I guess having been there it must feel even more real and heartbreaking for you. Sounds like a surreal experience you had there.Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08388078301863394716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-4309640920397628302014-03-06T20:33:39.822-08:002014-03-06T20:33:39.822-08:00I saw and experienced similar things driving throu...I saw and experienced similar things driving through Bosnia a few years ago. My heart ached for them, wondering how you ever recover from the horrors they've seen. XORambling Tarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06615148443032981296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-21434370881589484922014-03-06T19:38:08.788-08:002014-03-06T19:38:08.788-08:00Yes, this news hits home. Lets hope things improve...Yes, this news hits home. Lets hope things improve soon. I must let you know that your Captcha code is very annoying!! Have you tried using a spam filter instead ???Seana Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14225191303428309442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-9437281988696759142014-03-06T19:18:58.414-08:002014-03-06T19:18:58.414-08:00It will be interesting to see what Ukraine looks l...It will be interesting to see what Ukraine looks like in the next few years and also interesting to look back at Berlin as well. Thanks for stopping by today~Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-22863356395632896462014-03-06T19:17:28.347-08:002014-03-06T19:17:28.347-08:00It is amazing to put context to what we are seeing...It is amazing to put context to what we are seeing on television to what we experienced. We so take for granted our freedoms -- it is a good side benefit of travel. . .I come home counting my blessings from some destinations!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-53131616479244665742014-03-06T19:16:01.255-08:002014-03-06T19:16:01.255-08:00Oh Mike, thank you! It is always a balancing act ...Oh Mike, thank you! It is always a balancing act of 'do you write about the not-so-pretty/nice/welcoming or just keep putting in the happy stuff. This one stop had an amazing impact on me. . .it was hauntingly empty - the streets were quite obviously empty but you couldn't help but feel the souls of those folks we passed were also empty.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-48062120124689912252014-03-06T18:47:30.290-08:002014-03-06T18:47:30.290-08:00An interesting observation about Berlin pre and af...An interesting observation about Berlin pre and after the wall coming down. Hopefully Ukraine will undergo a change in years to come.Budget Travel Talkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06943323587509491729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-23361036104773376202014-03-06T13:58:25.901-08:002014-03-06T13:58:25.901-08:00Hi Jackie, this such a powerful post knowing that ...Hi Jackie, this such a powerful post knowing that what's going on in the streets of Ukraine today is dramaticaly differnt from the quiet and peacful streets you had seen then. And what an interesting experience and insight you had with the local. Joel was right about attributing it to their past. I think their past made them suspicious and not trusting of anyone and it's sad. I guess its their fear of going back to that past that makes them behave the way they do today. Marisolhttp://www.travelingsolemates.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-23559237039154159722014-03-06T12:37:11.576-08:002014-03-06T12:37:11.576-08:00I was so hoping one of my blogger friends would po...I was so hoping one of my blogger friends would post something on Ukraine from their personal experience, Jackie. And thank you. The past 2 weeks have been a crash course education for me on the goings on there. I was fascinated how you described the people being aloof. I can't even fathom what they have experienced in their life vs being so spoiled here on levels in the States. The submarine was a definite exclamation point. Good post, our friend :)Mikehttp://pastmycurfew.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-53934480776190582662014-03-06T11:45:37.646-08:002014-03-06T11:45:37.646-08:00I will definitely read it - sorry I missed it the ...I will definitely read it - sorry I missed it the first time. Thanks for sharing the link, Leigh.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-40403417976756088932014-03-06T10:26:33.034-08:002014-03-06T10:26:33.034-08:00One of my very good friends spent a few weeks in t...One of my very good friends spent a few weeks in the Ukraine last summer (18 mos ago). She was with her Ukrainian sister-in-law so she had a phenomenal experience, mainly because they had a lot of interaction with family. Still the family had very little money and life was hard. I can't imagine how much harder it is now. I did a blog thanks to my friend - and it includes a number of interesting observations. Here's the link should you be interested - http://hikebiketravel.com/22100/destination-western-ukraine/Leighhttp://hikebiketravel.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-21490135377819759832014-03-06T08:01:06.780-08:002014-03-06T08:01:06.780-08:00Today its probably not a stop on the cruise you to...Today its probably not a stop on the cruise you took.Tales Told From The Roadhttp://www.talestoldfromtheroad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-44813665320823199802014-03-06T07:10:23.730-08:002014-03-06T07:10:23.730-08:00I sometimes think it is good to approach travel as...I sometimes think it is good to approach travel as well-informed, but naive, because I might not go places like Ukraine or Tibet if I weren't a bit naive. . .or as I described, Pollyanna-ish. I had been excited to see even a glimmer of the area as my maternal grandparents had immigrated to the U.S. from Russia. . .the other thing I said to Joel is, "Now I understand why!"Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-12538229838962202892014-03-06T07:07:27.653-08:002014-03-06T07:07:27.653-08:00Yes, I was also thinking it would be interesting t...Yes, I was also thinking it would be interesting to see the city (after things - hopefully - calm down) but I suspect cruise ships will be altering their routings in the Black Sea for awhile and I am not eager to fly there, so will have to rely on others' tales and experiences.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-21863695053280771452014-03-06T07:05:20.706-08:002014-03-06T07:05:20.706-08:00I think you nailed it, Jo: 'scared and scarred...I think you nailed it, Jo: 'scared and scarred' probably sums it up the best. Thanks for your visit today~Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-73350457577948227952014-03-06T07:04:33.058-08:002014-03-06T07:04:33.058-08:00We actually met a young woman, a blogger, on a cru...We actually met a young woman, a blogger, on a cruise a few years ago whose writings were about all the wonderful things in Ukraine. She posted lovely photos and tales, but I've not seen any 'feed' from her now in months. I can't help but wonder if blogging wasn't all she expected or if it was her subject matter that became difficult.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-78645538421156539932014-03-06T07:02:10.475-08:002014-03-06T07:02:10.475-08:00Isn't it sad to think that these older folks l...Isn't it sad to think that these older folks lived through such traumatic times that they still carry a mistrust of foreigners? We sometimes forget how lucky we are to have lived our lives in a free world? Thanks for joining in this conversation, Jane and Lance - I see the post has prompted some interesting memories and observations. See you soon!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-59181142745094796292014-03-06T06:57:42.746-08:002014-03-06T06:57:42.746-08:00I've only seen a submarine on display at a mar...I've only seen a submarine on display at a maritime museum, never one actually in use. You paint a very interesting picture of the Ukraine from the people to the bullet holes. We visited Tibet in October, and I realized I had been a little naive before we arrived. There were Chinese soldiers in a lot of places and many checkpoints because they are worried about the Free Tibet movement. I was expecting lots of Dalai Lama Buddhist acceptance of everything, not the unshakeable sense of being watched.Michele {Malaysian Meanders}https://www.blogger.com/profile/18313351463568423694noreply@blogger.com