a look at ukraine as a foreigner

[Lina]

It looks like the same thing is in Russia! Oh, well!
I hope it may change in the near future! it'll be much better for Ukraine to have a more tourist friendly laws!

[V-G]

I hope so too. In fact if new PM is a good guy, has some democratic feelings, this problem could be partly eliminated, don't you think so?

[Lina]

That would be nice!

[V-G]

yeh...

[amy68]

Ukraine gov't is highly corrupt but I don't think it had anything to do with you being Turkish. I personally have never had a problem with the police or going through customs but I know people who have.
I love Ukraine and its people. The people are just wonderful and probably the most gracious people I have ever met in my travel.
You just need to travel wisely and don't give in with bribery. Hold fast to this. If everyone gives into bribery, then they will think they can continue this practice.
Odessa is not safe at all and it would be best if you stayed away from this city; it is common knowledge that the police are heavily corrupt and the mafia is thick there especially around the train station.

[Irinka]

You must be joking! I spent 3 weeks there this past May, nothing happened to me, I had the absolute wonderful time! I felt really safe, no one tried to attack me. I know quite a few people who travel to Odessa and I have never heard them complaining of their safety, infact.. they all say how beautiful and friendly Odessa is! You must be getting your info from "Paranoid Anonimous"... Police is definately corrupted in Ukraine, Turkey...etc.. and you should be very cautious when dealing with them, but to stay away from a city because you're scared is ridiculous.
If you are a generally paranoid and foolish person, you should not travel at all, every city and country has it's problems, you just have to be smart and look out for yourself everywhere you go, even or especially in U.S.
Good Luck!

[NZman]

Ukrainian Coppers

I have to say I thought the law over there were sound. Me boss always goes on about the days of 1994, but in 2001 they were sound.

One even picked me when I went A over T staggerin' outta the Cowboy bar. Which I heartly don't recommend. The bar and fallin' over when absolutly mashed.

Coppers in all of East Europe tend to be the same - farm-boys in the big city on bad pay. Leads to some level of corruption.

Love the NZman

BTW best place to get mashed as I found was Cafe Black-Orange, In Podil. It used to be a well dodge dump according to me boss, but now is well wicked, great atmos', well priced & top staff (food a bit iffy, to much american style). They didn't mind pickin' me up either.

I has decided to Winter in Kyiv with me bird for the real day of independence and try get mashed at minus 20c.

As was continually shouted at me Budmo & they said I could only speak Serbian