Poltava
Worth visiting!
Untitled — 2 years ago
A wonderful visit with Lena and her family. June was a great time to visit. Still the remnants of Soviet days, most noticeable in the architecture, but I believe quite a bit run down from “the good old days.” Wide streets and a culture somewhat based around the car … much more “American feel” than you’d find anywhere in Europe. Space. I guess that’s the primary similarity to the US. Bribes to local officials. A dinner to celebrate “still living” in the apartment complex. Extra plumbing to circumvent paying for hot water. Hiding military medals of ancestors to avoid being stolen. Chemists and physicists driving taxis to make a living. Local mafias in black tint-windowed SUVs. Giving gifts (from flowers to doileys to cigar ashtrays to ice cream and orange juicers) to everyone we met.