Trip to Ukraine

[marym]

My trip to Ukraine is finally happening in several days. The person I am going with is an elderly woman, from Ivano-Frankivsk area. She is hoping to travel through that area. I am looking for the most detailed maps; she says she can draw one from memory (half a century of memory). She now remembers her street address, the homes of friends, etc. I wonder how shocked she will be over changes. She also wants to go to Grodek. Hopefully the information I have obtained is accurate.
Any last minute information or suggestions about Galich, Grodek Jagiellonski, Ostriv (I could find nothing about this place) or in general would be appreciated.
I don't know what the timing will be like, but if I can do something for someone on these boards, I would be happy to.
Thanks to all for your help.

[Hannia]

Are you traveling to Halych, Horodok and Ostriv by car?

Horodok >formerly Grodek Jagellionski is closer to Lviv than to Ivano Frankivsk.

There have been many changes in the landscape, but after what some of these elders have seen in their lifetimes, very little can shock them.

[marym]

Yes, the plan is to have access to a car.
I will be taking as many pictures as possible for some online genealogy sites and for some people I have talked to online. I am also hoping to make contact with people who have lived thru the war, the Soviet Union, etc. Time will be limited tho and my primary responsibility is to my companion. She hopes to see her former home, homes of her former classmates, friends, etc. (all killed) and the school, the home of her neighbors who risked their lives....well...her daughter comes to this site, so I should let her tell it if she chooses. The daughter is also trying to raise some money and goods, as she assumes we be amongst people who are struggling.

[Hannia]

Marym,

I am not clear if you understand what you are undertaking. You are traveling to Ukraine w/a frail elderly woman???

FIRST AND FOREMOST YOU NEED TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE. DO NOT TRAVEL W/AN ELDERLY PERSON WITHOUT IT.

You need car availability for your trip. There is no getting around that. Trolleys, trains and buses there are distinctly not handicap friendly.

Gasoline is very expensive and tricky to get at times. Expect to see gasoline charged separately.

Wouldn't it be more reasonable for you to hire someone in Ukraine, who will do all the legwork for you, prior to your arrival? And then act as personal interpreter and chauffeur?

Another problem you have is that you are starting to make preparations a little late. Expect to pay a premium for that.
_________________________________________________________________________

I can recommend Ihor, who is a teacher at Ivano-Frankivsk University. He comes w/exc references and has a car, a computer and speaks English. He might very well be booked for the summer, but then maybe he could recommend someone else. He does no Archival Research.

He prepares the way for you. He will have found or not found the people or descendants of these people before you arrive. Then he will act as your personal interpreter and chauffeur for the extent of the trip.

His rates are very fair.

Ihor's e-mail:
igor@micro.il.if.ua
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What people in the villages need most are shoes and winter gear.

[marym]

Thank you very much for your helpful reply.
This trip was originally planned for this woman and a niece of hers. I know they had a driver. Just recently the niece has been unable to go and the trip would have been cancelled so I offered to go. I know it will be a big responsibility and expense. I have wanted to go for a long time, though not like this. I just feel for this woman. She lost everything, everyone when she was quite young. Her lifelong dream was to find someone she had known, and to see her home again. She wants very badly to find the family that helped her. I just couldn't say no to that. I saw what she was like after her niece cancelled and it was as if she lost all will to live. She is one of the most loving, understanding, warm people I have met. There is no anger or bitterness in her. She goes wanting to give back to her homeland. She has nothing and finds a way to give. I have learned so much from her approach to life. I am giving up a lot (well, nothing compared to what she lost) to go with her, but I feel I must. I had to sell something very very valuable to me in order to do this. She would do the same. It seems wrong for her to lose this.
So this is what I have.
I know she does have health insurance that will cover her there. They had hired a driver but I have not been able to reach him. I appreciate having Ihor's information and am contacting him.
I have always been a careful, cautious person, planning every detail. But sometimes we must simply act to help others. I know I will take care of her, and I believe she will be fine there....she is living for this. I truly believe we will find what she needs to find. The world cannot be so cruel as to take this from her too.
Thank you once again for your kind concern and help.
mary

[Hannia]

Health insurance is not the same as Travel Medical Insurance. If you are referring to her medicare and/or any supplement she has, this would only cover American territory like Puerto Rico.

[millgirl]

Hannia, do you recommend this travel health insurance for anyone who is going to Ukraine? Where do you get it? I assume it can be purchased for short term use, like 2 weeks? K