Ukraine, Part 2
My Dad is telling me I could witness another revolution similar to the Orange Revolution 18 months ago.
In a nutshell…
Ukrainians were fed up with falsified Presidential elections, widespread corruption, and low standards of living. Inspired by Yulia Tymoshenko, a charismatic parliamentary (seen here being hot) …
… everyone hit the streets and stood their ground for several weeks in opposition of the corrupt government. The people’s voice was heard and they got their new government. Turns out, though, it’s as bad as the old one … The good thing was that they were oriented West towards European integration, NATO, etc.
Recently, one of the more prominent Ukrainian political figures Olexander Moroz sneakily agreed to side with a Eastern-oriented (Russia) party and bargained the seat of the head of the Parliament for himself. Another crisis is expected, and by crisis I mean revolution!
So what does this all really mean? Well, the US and Europe already decided to not support anything this new pro-Russian Parliament will do. Foreign investors are skiddish and Ukrainian people are buying up dollars, Euros, and sugar (go figure).
Here’s a pic displaying the possible beginnings of the new revolution:
And a bunch of unrelated pics.
A crappy car …
A crappy locking mechanism on a Ukrainian ferris wheel …
A little street called provulok I grew up on …
A hole in the fence of the kindergarten I went to, still there after 23 years!
A shameless neighbour lady wearing a bikini even though she’s 85 … Kind of sick, really …
Ukrainian vandalism at its best. I understand spray painting, but this? Did they shoot that pavilion with a mortar?
The crappy condition of the roads …
This is a Ukrainian small business at its most mundaine. In this picture you see a man sell toilet paper off the top of his crappy 1961 Chaika.
And finally, a pic of a pretty Ukrainian sunset on the Dnieper river …
Peace out, homies.
SO, every place on earth really IS the same… sunsets, entrepreuners, white trash, kids breaking stuff, bad public works, gov’t needing a kick in the ass….
Comment by Wes — July 12, 2006 @ 1:00 pm
I think it’s good that people are finally responding and protesting to corruption. At the same time, I’m not impressed with Yuschenko’s progress since he came into power.
Seeing pic of where you grew up made me really want to ask you to snap a few shots of my old street, but alas, it’s probably on the other side of town (Schevchenkovkyi rayon).
Dimitry
Comment by Dimitry — July 12, 2006 @ 6:19 pm
Ask away. Email’s up top.
Comment by How To Be Poor — July 13, 2006 @ 2:02 am
Just a quick note to tell you how much I enjoy your posts about Ukraine, please continue. I love the people and the culture and am truly rooting for this country to rise and thrive as an independent entity. They’ve suffered much, paid their dues and have a right to flourish.
Bumps and scrapes are natural growing pains, I hope the Ukrainians can continue their growth without having to spray bullets and bombs and show the world how it truly is possible. They’ve done a wonderful job so far. As for baba in the bathing suit and the toilet paper salesman–LOVE THAT and captures so perfectly the wonderful & unique spirit I find in virtually every person of Ukrainian heritage I’ve been blessed to meet.
Comment by Terry — July 15, 2006 @ 6:27 am
rcrtocus…
rcrtocus…
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