TRAVELLING TO UKRAINE

DIARIES


2007 Tour to Ukraine
by Jim Onyschuk

Returning to the Ancestral Village

Ken Zinyk

JOURNEY TO UKRAINE
by Myron Masnyk

Can You Hear The Poplars
by Judith Hrynenko

Trip To Ukraine
by Alexandra Tesluk Gibson

Trip To Ukraine
by Philip Semanchuk

Six days in Ukraine: A Traveller's Diary
by Jerome Simpson (1996)

Ukrainian Trip Memories
by Joanne Potter

Ukraine, A Trip To Remember

by Victor H. Pankoski




http://www.bystiv.com/ - Village of Bystiv - Although this site is a Bed & Breakfast site, it has many short films and pictures highlighting life in a small village. This is a "must see" site for all travelling to Ukraine, especially if it is your first time. This is the next best thing to making the trip. We thank Janet Bruch for suggesting this heartwarming site.

 

 

 

This page is for posting diaries of your trips to Ukraine. If you are interested in submitting your diary or account, write us at

My Trip To Ukraine

 


2007 Tour to Ukraine
by Jim Onyschuk

 

On June 7, 2007, the first "Discover Your Roots Tour to Ukraine" left Toronto International Airport for Ukraine. On Sunday, June 24, we returned after having visited four cities, three archives and many villages. The participants returned with a deeper appreciation and love of their ancestral home. Some found new relatives and all found new information about their ancestors. What follows is my account of the tour. It is a lengthy account and is divided into four sections. It reflects my experiences and views and hopefully they were accurate. The other participants are encouraged to submit their experiences to this page to further enhance the tour report.

 

Part One-Toronto to Lviv-June 7 to 11

Part Two-Lviv to Ivano-Fankivsk-June 12 to 15

Part Three-Ivano-Fankivsk to Ternopil-Days 16 to 19

Part Four-Ternopil to Kyiv to Toronto-Days 20 to 24

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JOURNEY TO UKRAINE

by Myron Masnyk

 

The following is an account of Myron Masnyk's trip to Ukraine. He has kindly agreed to share his valuable memories and feelings about this trip. His writing is most enjoyable and you get the feeling that you are there. The trip took place in May 2000.

 

About one person he meets, a former swine herder, Myron writes, "Whoever reads these notes, at this time, may or may not have heard of Viktor Yuschenko. The likelihood is you may...soon." How prophetic!

 

Searching for-and finding-our Ukrainian Roots

 

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CAN YOU HEAR THE POPLARS..

 

In August 2002, Judith Hrynenko travelled to Ukraine. She published her memories on her web site. She has kindly agreed to allow us to post her diary of the trip on this page. In her Acknowledgements Judith writes:

 

"Well, I hope that you all enjoy my story Can You Hear The Poplars.. I know there are things that I left out and some of you will be saying how come this and why not that. But I went to Ukraine to find my roots, instead, came home with a love and spiritual experience that I will never forget... I would encourage anyone who has been thinking about going, GO, there is so much to see and do. OH, by the way, remember those beautiful white lace curtains? Yes, I purchased a pair when I got home. As they sway in the breeze, they remind me of how much, I miss Ukraine."

 

Judith recently returned from a second trip and in an e-mail to us wrote:

 

"I have been reading Myron Masnyks story.  He made me laugh and cry and brought back many memories of our own visit in 02.. "

 

"We just got back from our second trip to Ukraine and will be adding to my journal in the next month or two.. We attended a wedding and there sure is lots to tell..  From butchering pigs, to making 5 types of homemade sausage, smoking them along with chicken, and hams.  Preparing food for 240 quests in a man made kitchen in the garage with only two stoves ..oye, I tell you with only one fridge and two big coolers..  Temps hovering around the 43 degrees, cooking through the night.. It was a fantastic time ..  The music the laughter the great memories.. "

 

We look forward to her additions. To read "Can You Hear The Poplars" click on her site:-

http://members.shaw.ca/jkruzer/


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TRIP TO UKRAINE

 

On May 28, 2005 Alexandra Tesluk Gibson made her trip to Ukraine. She writes: " I have written from the heart ~~ a personal journey ~~ and another dream come true!" Near the end of her diary Alexandra writes: " The memories from this trip will stay with me forever as they tenderly touched my heart and soul." We are glad that Alexandra has chosen to share her diary with us.

Click on TRIP TO UKRAINE to view this diary.


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TRIP TO UKRAINE

 

Philip Semanchuk has submitted his photodiary of his trips to Ukraine. He writes:

"Hi all,


I have traveled to Ukraine twice and I've never made a decent diary of it, but I've posted some photos that you might enjoy."

http://semanchuk.com/philip/TripToUkraine/


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Six days in Ukraine: A Traveller's Diary
by Jerome Simpson (1996)

 

On August 18, 1996, Jerome Simpson set out from Budapest, Hungary to visit Ukraine. At the end of his account he wrote:

"My only fear now is that upon returning to this enchanting land, towns such as Lviv will have been overrun by Western tourists and more modern cafes than I care to imagine. For better or for worse? I leave that for you to decide once you have made your acquaintance with the beautiful region that is Western Ukraine."

 

We thank Jerome for agreeing to share his diary with us.

 

http://www.brama.com/travel/simpson.html


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Ukrainian Trip Memories

 

In 1995 Joanne Pryhorocki Potter visited her relatives in western Ukraine. By means of note-taking, tape recorder, and camera, she documented details of everyday life in rural Ukraine. Joanne is kindly sharing her journal with us.

http://pages.prodigy.net/l.hodges/joanne1.htm

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Ukraine, A Trip To Remember
Victor H. Pankoski

 

In September 2005, Victor H. Pankooski journeyd to Ukraine. He published his journal on his web site. Victor has kindly agreed to allow us to post his diary of the trip on this page. In it he writes:

 

"I now look back fondly upon this trip of adventure where I rekindled a contact with family
and walked upon the ground of my ancestors in the old country. For the Ukraine itself though,
I have this feeling of deep concern and Deja Vous all over again."

 

http://atriptoremember.tripod.com/

 


 

“Returning to the Ancestral Village

Ken Zinyk

 

The following is an account of Ken Zinyk's trip to Ukraine. He has kindly agreed to share his valuable memories and feelings about this trip.

 

In 2009, I fulfilled a life-long dream to return to my grandparents’ village.

I have written a record of my journey entitled “Returning to the Ancestral Village”,

which I have attached to this email. I have also included six small photos that illustrate my story.

 

Returning to the Ancestral Village

 

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