Tak! Ukraine

David Draime · 02-22-2005, 03:05 PM

Mike,

Was this the guy? I went out with the officials who had the "mobile" ballot box - taking it into people's homes - so voters who were old or infirm could vote. This toothless guy, as soon as he dropped his ballot in the box, launched into a rousing rendition of, what I assumed, was some old patriotic song....(or - I don't know, maybe it was Hello Dolly!) Thing is, he wouldn't stop. We politely said our goodbyes, left his house, walked through his gate, over to the next house... we could still hear him singing.

Your story is great! Sounds like you were there during Soviet times? - unless you're still in your twenties! Wow! you were a pioneer. I'd love to hear more of your adventures. I live for these memories - they are priceless.

Mike McCarty · 02-22-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Was this the guy?

Yes, that's him!

Quote:

Your story is great! Sounds like you were there during Soviet times? - unless you're still in your twenties!

I am easily divisible by twenty.

It was the height of the cold war. Upon arrival we were detained and interrogated at the airport for three hours with threats that we were bringing contraband into the country. We were carrying LP records that they confiscated. What they really wanted were our jeans and our books. Because of this flap they canceled our outing to the Bolshoi ballet and other scheduled items. We were, however, able to see Swan Lake in Leningrad (I think Leningrad has had a name change again, back to Saint Petersburg).

One of the spookiest moments for me came while on a bus ride out of Leningrad to the Czar's palace on the gulf of Finland. I tried always to sit near the interpreter which was at the front of the bus near the driver. Through the interpreter I learned that this bus driver had lost his entire family (nine as I recall) during the German 900 day siege of Leningrad. I had never been near anyone that had experienced so much grief. It was a chilling moment for a mostly protected naive kid.

David Draime · 02-22-2005, 04:43 PM

Amazing! I tell all my students that they must travel abroad. Certainly has a way of opening up one's eyes (mind).

So I guess you're no longer a protected, naive kid.

Mike McCarty · 02-22-2005, 05:30 PM

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So I guess you're no longer a protected, naive kid.

I can still be pretty naive, but I sure don't feel protected.

David Draime · 02-22-2005, 05:51 PM

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Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

I can still be pretty naive, but I sure don't feel protected.

You should always use protection.

...I'm thinking this thread has just about run it's course....whaddya think?