My Trip to the UkraineFollow

Let's just say it was as far from a holiday as you could get. Though, I didn't exactly go for a holiday- not really sure why I went to be honest.

My father invited me along, he works with several orphanages over there providing basic goods that are hard to come by in some of the more destiture areas. I went along because I thought that taking a break from the American scene would be good for me- taking a step back and looking at it from a new perspective, to hopefully see the postives and the negatives in a new light.

The Ukraine had been beneath Stalin's heel during WWII. The impression I felt when I arrived in Kiev was that of a nation just now crawling out from beneath the rubble. Cities of enormous identical concrete apartment complexes springing up around each other. Sober warnings against drinking the tap water and avoiding any kind of seafood dishes. Impossible complexities of inner city traffic where the only rule was: find the quickest route even if it meant driving on the sidewalks. Meanwhile gazing into the eyes of thepeople who looked back with chilling, honest, appraisal.

Our main purpose was to visit the orphanages that very few were willing to acknowledge. These were termed Level 4 and housed the most severely disabled children. Mostly the second generation of Chernobyl lived here. Those who were lucky enough to be able to walk wandered through darkened, stench filled halls occasionally glancing at painted murals of Jesus on the walls. We stayed 5 days in this setting building a recreation room for the kids here. Every day my heart was hollowed out by what I saw. Things that won't allow me to ever be the same. Things I never want to see again.

So what did I take home from this? Hard to say really. Did I feel like I became a better person? Not really. Did I feel good about helpin these kids? Yes, but with a sense of despair- like bringing flowers to someone on thier deathbed.

Why did I post this? Probably the best question of the bunch. I suppose I just needed to get it out. To those that read this: Thanks. No response necessary.

they ate all the rose petals.

makes me proud to be part Ukrainian.