The lion is the symbol of Lviv.
Outside a coffee shop
Showing posts with label Lviv. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lviv. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Fifth Entry: Lviv Walking Tour
We ate a delicious breakfast while listening to some good jazz at the Lion's Castle Hotel. Andriy (Green Ukraine) introduced us to our lovely guide, Joanna, for the walking tour of Lviv.
A street sign for the coffee we use at home, but please
note Ukraine's use of the Cyrillic alphabet.
Former KGB building
Joanna commented on the heavy traffic that day. The cars
in this picture (except the one on the tracks) were parked,
and the drivers had decided to walk.
Panels depict two of the four seasons
So touching to see people praying in public since
the lady definitely lived during the time that right was denied. When we
passed this way again, a larger group had gathered.
Fascinating and incredible amount of history
on one monument
Disagreement in history covered by added metal
writing under the individual cannonball
Jesus must feel this way quite often as He looks
at us from above.
European Football Championship
games 2012 scheduled for Poland and Ukraine
Churches had been used for museums or gymnasiums.
Book Market
Made in the USA...National Cash Registers...an old pharmacy
that is now a museum
So much to think about!
Friday, November 11, 2011
Fourth Entry: Trip to Ukraine
While in Krakow, we stayed at Hotel Polonia. Located in a charming old building, across from the main train station, and within walking distance of many places, I would recommend it. It's good that we stayed near the train station as it took a few tries to get all the ticket info straight for our trip to Lviv, Ukraine.
Since we were to arrive in Lviv at :02 o'clock and meet our guide, we didn't see the need of getting a sleeping car. One clerk happily printed out our schedule with fifteen stops (most for only a minute) for our ten hour six minute ride....that included the time change for the different time zone. Another clerk, speaking very sketchy English, assured us that the train included a dining car.
Admiring the scenery, visiting, and napping all the way to the Ukrainian border, the conductor told us to get out and go to the terminal. When he left, a lady said if we were going to Lviv to get back on the train! So we did, and it was the sleeper compartments. Standing in the narrow hallway and looking out the windows, we watched workmen doing something to the train. They were lifting it two or three feet off the tracks! Our thoughts: must be some repairs going on.
About that time, another conductor came in, pointed to a compartment, and spoke emphatically , "Get in there!" So we did. Speaking our finest English, we showed him our tickets and said we did not have reservations for a sleeper. He said, "Twenty Euro...ten and ten. Stay here." Although we didn't even pull down the covers, we had a sleeper. Not sure if he really wanted to look after us or just make a bit of extra money. And, we were comfortable.
Once the train was back on track, the border officials -including dog-came in to check passports. One also walked along the hallway pushing up the ceiling panels and examining the dark with a flashlight.
At :02, the train arrived in Lviv, and there we met one of the dearest tour guides and people ever! Andryi of Green Ukraine! I had seen his picture posted on his website and had described us to him. When we got off that train, no Ukrainian would have had any problem figuring out the USA/aunt/nephew combo!
Exiting the station was like being in a movie. All these little old people, the little ladies bundled up and wearing black headscarves, the weathered old men. I trust they weren't homeless, but were waiting for a train. Then in the parking lot, a man was helping his drunken friend into a car. Andryi said that we were being introduced to a national pasttime. Tomorrow evening the roles of the men would be reversed.
Andryi took us for food (no dining car or food cart was to be found on that train)....a fast food kind of place where we waited, but their computer was down so no service. It may have been here that we learned that the track size changes at the borders of the former soviet states; therefore, the reason for the lengthy stop and raising the train. We ate pierogi at another place before he took us to the lovely Lion's Castle Hotel. Just wish that night could have been longer!
Since we were to arrive in Lviv at :02 o'clock and meet our guide, we didn't see the need of getting a sleeping car. One clerk happily printed out our schedule with fifteen stops (most for only a minute) for our ten hour six minute ride....that included the time change for the different time zone. Another clerk, speaking very sketchy English, assured us that the train included a dining car.
Admiring the scenery, visiting, and napping all the way to the Ukrainian border, the conductor told us to get out and go to the terminal. When he left, a lady said if we were going to Lviv to get back on the train! So we did, and it was the sleeper compartments. Standing in the narrow hallway and looking out the windows, we watched workmen doing something to the train. They were lifting it two or three feet off the tracks! Our thoughts: must be some repairs going on.
About that time, another conductor came in, pointed to a compartment, and spoke emphatically , "Get in there!" So we did. Speaking our finest English, we showed him our tickets and said we did not have reservations for a sleeper. He said, "Twenty Euro...ten and ten. Stay here." Although we didn't even pull down the covers, we had a sleeper. Not sure if he really wanted to look after us or just make a bit of extra money. And, we were comfortable.
Once the train was back on track, the border officials -including dog-came in to check passports. One also walked along the hallway pushing up the ceiling panels and examining the dark with a flashlight.
At :02, the train arrived in Lviv, and there we met one of the dearest tour guides and people ever! Andryi of Green Ukraine! I had seen his picture posted on his website and had described us to him. When we got off that train, no Ukrainian would have had any problem figuring out the USA/aunt/nephew combo!
Exiting the station was like being in a movie. All these little old people, the little ladies bundled up and wearing black headscarves, the weathered old men. I trust they weren't homeless, but were waiting for a train. Then in the parking lot, a man was helping his drunken friend into a car. Andryi said that we were being introduced to a national pasttime. Tomorrow evening the roles of the men would be reversed.
Andryi took us for food (no dining car or food cart was to be found on that train)....a fast food kind of place where we waited, but their computer was down so no service. It may have been here that we learned that the track size changes at the borders of the former soviet states; therefore, the reason for the lengthy stop and raising the train. We ate pierogi at another place before he took us to the lovely Lion's Castle Hotel. Just wish that night could have been longer!
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