политика
life
eng
“How did you go bankrupt?"
Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.”
― Ernest Hemingway
2010. Altay mountains, Russian Federation, just near the border with China and Kazakhstan.
"You can't go there. It is fine to go for Russians but those with Ukrainian and Belarussian passport should get a permit."
"But they are not foreigners! They should be allowed to go in this area!" insisted our local Russian friend, "We are not going anywhere until you let us in. We have tents and we are going to sleep just here."
2011. Kenya.
"Ukraine? Where is it?" asks me a truck driver who gives me a ride.
"It is a country in Eastern Europe, between Poland and Russia."
"Or, so you are Russian?"
"Hmmm, yes, I am Russian. Who cares anyway?"
2012. Pakistan.
"We are from Russia." my friends from Moscow reply in unisson.
I jump into discussion, "And Ukraine, don't forget about Ukraine!"
2013. Cambodia.
"I am from Ukraine. Yes, there is such a country in Europe. The largest one actually."
2013. Georgia.
"Ukraine! Ukraine is good! I was serving [military] there back in eighties. Such a nice country!"
I can see lots of tourists around from Ukraine and Poland especially. Not that many from Russia unfortunately.
2014. San Francisco. Japan Town.
"Let it be peace in your country." says old japanese guy with a slight bow and palms pressed together. He saw Ukrainian t-shirt on me and stopped to give me his condolences.
Later, reading a history article on Civil War in 1918 I discover that both of my mother's and father's home towns were part of Ukrainian People's Republic back in 1918. Ukrainian People's Republic was conquered by Soviets back then and now these towns are ~30-50 km from the border on the Russian side. But it seems I am Ukrainian in the end. I was born in Ukraine and my parents are from Ukraine. I feel Ukrainian. It does not prevent me from being a global citizen. It just shows that the largest country on this planet is going bankrupt right now.