a look at ukraine as a foreigner

[Irinka]

One of my friends got drunk to the level of being a microbrain and an Odessa cop drove him home for free!!! He didn't ask for any money, he didn't rob him, he didn't arrest him either! It just shows that slowly, one day at a time, times are changing for the better

[Drusba]

WEll I seee a few of you have your complaints about Ukraine. I lived in Ternopil for two years and have been through customs many times and have had very little truble. Yes, i know there is coruption in Ukraine but there also is lack of money for good salaries. One example is a feind of mine who is a nurse. She makes only $17 a mont working full time. Could you not see if some people make low salaries they would want to find a way to get more money. A bribe workd. I have never had to pay a bribe but have helped those people. They are very gratfullu. They really don't want to ask for a handout. They jsut want a decent slary.

Most average people are not corrupt but untill they have a true democrary there still will be corruption.

[nikolai]

From what I've heard, there is some racism in Ukraine.

The police are more likely to stop and ask for documents dark-skinned, foreign-looking people.

Here is a travel warning from the U.S. Department of State for U.S. citizens travelling to Ukraine:

"In addition to incidents of assault, persons of African or Asian heritage may be subject to various types of harassment, such as being stopped on the street by both civilians and police officials."

http://travel.state.gov/ukraine.html

[jablo]

Originally posted by burbur
Last summer I have been to Ukraine/Evpatoria(i may not be typing the namecorrectly)for one week and I had a great time there but although I had no problems with civilian people ,I and my friends had lots of trouble with the Ukrainian police:they took us into a police car after we got out of a disco and although all our papers were complete they wanted us to give money and threatened us with arresting if we don't.And when we were leaving ukraine the customs officers took us into a room one by one and demanded money.And so on .This was a one week trouble with the police although we didn't do anything illegal. Perhaps it had occured just because we were Turkish. But after all Щ love ukrainian people(civilians) and want to come back for a holiday again, hoping all these are fixed this time.

well, this is really not surprising,
people call GAI (our er...police force in ukraine) - DAI - which is a mockery,
the word means GIVE ME MORE/PLEASE,
as in, give me all your stuff and money and etc.

[Blackman_75]

After hearing all this I'm wondering if I as a black person should visit Ukraine. Irina said she's never had problems but she's from there and I'm guessing that her friends that haven't had problems are either white or light skinned and not black or dark skinned.

What do you think Irina will I have a hard time? What does everyone else think?

A nice black guy who wants to visit Ukraine.
Blackman

[Irinka]

Kiev and Odessa has numerous universities with students who come from all over the world, including Cuba, East and North Africa, India, South Asia..etc.. I see many "black" tourists and residents in Ukraine, and to my knowledge they are treated with respect and curiosity. As to your plans of trying to marry a Ukrainian woman, I'm not too convinced that you would have much luck.

[Blackman_75]

Actually I plan on marrying who I fall in love with. If she's from Ukraine so be it. Why are you not sure of my marrying a woman from Ukraine though? I've already had some interested in me.

Blackman