First two days in Ukraine...

  Right. It's our second day coming to an end in Ukraine. My impressions so far... a bit of nostalgia... a bit of surprise... and a few funny encounters... As soon as the plane started its descend over Kiev I could see familiar shapes down there... despite its being my first visit I couldn't help not to notice the Soviet stamp on the country even from the air... it carried on through the security, arrivals and practically everywhere we`'ve been so far. People's faces which can be interpreted as `grumpy` by westerners, but which is probably more to do with the legacy of over seventy odd years of strict one party discipline, no need to use the safety belts in the taxi van (I nudged Alexis to fact that even the driver didn't have it on while wizzing thru the city with a full car), blaring Russian music brought brought nostalgic memories of Kyrgyzstan while surprising me how familiar it looks all around. We met Adam from YMCA Europe at Kiev airport while waiting for our flight to Donetsk and he gave us a brief intro to do`s and don't`s. It was definitely surprising for me to learn about the smoking ban in public places (shows how far the Ukrainian society come) while it was a bit shocking for my fellow British visitors (funny for me :-) to hear that police might tazer you if you smoke in front of the airport (smoking allowed only in strictl designated places)... In Donetsk we were met by Masha and Michael from YMCA Ukraine who escorted us to our transit hotel, we spent half hour at reception trying to book in which can be testing on ten exhausted and hungry souls. Eventually at around midnight by GMT(our travel started at 6am) but ten local time we arrived at the restaurant and they announced a free karaoke session in our honour. Cos we were touched but getting orders in seemed much more urgent. Food was simple but delicious and we were happy to retire for the evening. Today started with our mini-bus journey to Antrasit. At arrival we were met by local YMCA leader Yuri at our hotel. The only hotel in town. Well, apparently there's another new motel. Ours was basic and functional. We were joined by guys from Belarus, Moldova and went on the city tour accompanied by very entertaining commentaries from Yuri. We went to the city park to see the monument of the brave soldier with the eternal flame which was off for a lack of gas. Also saw the monument for the Antrasit sons who bravely fought during the second world war and separate one for those died in Afghanistan. There's a monument for the Chernobul too which was very moving. On the other side we saw the tank the product of relatively recent history which was strangely painted to a bright green colour making it look like a toy rather than a real weapon. After lunch we went to the school where we had an introduction into the safety and general arrangements as well as presentations from Antrasit and Ukraine YMCAs. It was great to hear how far they come within last twenty years, with an array of amazing programmes and activities for children and young people. Despite the lack of funding, support from local people and governments, they persevered with their belief and energy and managed to build up a great profile of work. All sort of restrictions are still prevalent due to economic and political situations in the country but the energy and enthusiasm from these amazing people filled me with the belief that the YMCA movement in this part of the world is on its infancy but for the long term!