February – March 2014

Intro

Samer:  “Wow, with everything going on in Russia before the Olympics, it’s a good thing I’m gonna be in Ukraine most of the trip!”

Right… well, this was definitely an unexpectedly exciting trip.  I knew there was some civil unrest in Ukraine but it had been relatively uneventful since it began in November, so I was not prepared for what was about to happen!  Turns out Sochi was great.  Everything was so well done; it was safe, beautiful, well-organized — it was everywhere else I went that was the problem!

Following a brief Valentine’s Day stopover in London, I ‘hung out’ in Kyiv‘s Independence Square (Maidan) with the protesters — 3 days later, violence broke out leaving hundreds of people killed or injured.  From Kyiv, I flew to Donetsk.  Just 6 days later, President Yanukovich, after being ousted from power, fled Kyiv to his hometown near Donetsk.  From Donetsk, I crossed the border into Rostov-on-Don, Russia.  That’s right — Rostov is where Yanukovich went into exile, likely crossing the same border I crossed!

Finally in Russia, I felt safe to be out of this part of Ukraine, and after the Olympics, was really looking forward to spending some time in beautiful Crimea (!!!) after a quick stopover in Moscow.  Yes, Crimea.  While in Sevastopol, I saw pro-Russian protests, but never would

Journey Map

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Featured Image

Yenakiieve, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine

Walking on water with ice fishermen outside the city of Yenakiieve, Ukraine — the hometown of Viktor Yanukovich, President of Ukraine at the time, who will be ousted from power and heading ‘home’ on his way to exile in Russia, just TWO days after taking this picture.

Instagram

Căpriana, Moldova (Feb. 2014) - looking up at the bright, colorful #frescoes inside the #capriana #monastery. founded in 1429, it is one of the oldest #monasteries in #moldova ...

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Odessa, Ukraine (Feb. 2014) - I braved the ridiculous #ukrainian winter cold for over an hour to produce this #sketch of what is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful works of #architecture in the world -- the exquisite neo-#baroque-style #odessa #opera and #ballet #theatre, built in 1810 ...

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Moscow, Russia (Feb. 2014) - looking up at the sun-bathed #skyscrapers of `the city of capitals`, at the impressive #moscow international business center ...

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Tiraspol, Transnistria (Feb. 2014) - a bust of #lenin stands proudly in front of the #cityhall of #tiraspol, capital of the breakaway republic of #transnistria ...

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Bucharest, Romania (Feb. 2014) - winter #selfie at the pretty kretzulescu #orthodox #church, built in the distinctive `brâncovenesc` #architectural style in 1722, on busy #caleavictoriei ...

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Bucharest, Romania (Feb. 2014) - the #beautiful #urban #cityscape of #bucharest, seen from a terrace of the #city`s huge palace of parliament ...

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Sketches

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