Tag: eastern europe

  • Ukraine: Second Impressions

    Ukraine: Second Impressions

    After a couple of months in Ukraine I began to slowly accept the country as it is, for better and worse. I got used to some things, especially after living in Kharkiv for a few months, and yet just couldn’t understand some other aspects of the country and its culture. What follows are my second…

  • Kyiv, Ukraine: The Divided Country and… Has Dave Lombardo Heard Me Play Drums?

    Kyiv, Ukraine: The Divided Country and… Has Dave Lombardo Heard Me Play Drums?

    If there’s one city where you can see the change of the Ukrainian West-East dichotomy, it’s Kyiv (Київ, pronounced K-yeev in Ukrainian, or Key-ev in Russian). Kyiv is modernity mixed with tradition: narrow, cobblestone streets like those found in L’viv intersect modern, paved streets. The huge roadways hum with traffic while the sidewalks are lined…

  • L’viv, Ukraine: The Cradle of Ukrainian Culture

    L’viv, Ukraine: The Cradle of Ukrainian Culture

    My opinions and views of Ukraine thus far have been far from admirable. Within a week I was ready to leave the country and couldn’t believe what a utter mess Ukraine was/is in. But being out of the country for a few months has given me some distance and perspective allowing me to appreciate my…

  • Polish Reggae, Jazz, Traditional and Classical Muzyka

    Polish Reggae, Jazz, Traditional and Classical Muzyka

    Finally here’s my second post on Polish music. You can read the first part on rock and metal here. Reggae(muffin??) Artist: Maleo Reggae Rockers and Goście Album: XVI Przystanek Woodstock 2010 For some reason, reggae seems to be huge in Poland. Maybe it’s cuz the European Union to freely move all sorts of things, such as…

  • Ukraine: First Impressions

    Ukraine: First Impressions

    This post is admittedly quite late as I’ve been out of Ukraine for a couple of months now. But I thought I’d write up how my expectations compared with my first impressions of Ukraine. My visit to Ukraine was eye-opening to say the least. Growing up in Canada as a Ukrainian-Canadian, my entire life I’d…

stevensirski