Chapter 9 - Stroll Through Selo Rozdol
AUGUST 15
MOOOO!!!!! GOODMORNING TO YOU TOOOOO.... Geeee, dead sleep, great alarm clock !!!
I
decided no breakfast, the sun was hot, the sky blue, time to go for a
long walk. "Nadia" exclaims, 'wait for Yuri' he will drive you
!! No thank you !! I need the exercise. Again she is not eating !! Baba
keeps making faces like I will get skinny !! There is no chance of that
!! Shorts, t-shirt, runners, with camera in hand we are off..... everyone
looks at my legs, Baba states they look like a Russian athlete's, such
muscle !! Roman and I are off to Styr Rozdol. Through the grounds that
were once owned by the wealthy Polish family. You could buy it cheap,
but would cost millions to repair. Down the road near the lake the hills
are beautiful. One hill used to belong to the Hrynenko family. Their land
was taken away during the war. The Russians used it to grow vegetables
for the Government for their own use.. The cherry trees are still there.
They were offered their land back, but Roman's Grandfather declined, he
told them I needed it then, not now !!! No one wants their land back.
Who is going to travel so far from home to plant a small garden.. Many
of the villagers have no vehicle, only bicycles, or Jawa motor cycles..
Many woman we saw pushing wheelbarrows full of potato's. Walking, how
far ? Who knows?
Through
the gates and into town. People walking. People sitting. Woman peering
out windows (who's walking) ohhhh, new people in town ?? Americanski's!!
For some reason they lump American's and Canadian's together. They assume,
that because it is North America that we are all one country!!! I must
say, there sure was a lot of explaining on that subject !!! One woman
we passed was on the phone to Nadia. By the time we returned 
Nadia
had stated that the whole town recognised us by the pictures that she
had shown over the years... Roman & Judy Hrynenko from Kanada !! We
walked with the geese and ducks, up and down the narrow dirt roads. The
dogs lay docile in the warm dirt, but are everywhere. Bark, they bark
day and night... Drove me crazy. That is the one thing I do not miss of
Ukraine. Apparently it is custom to own a dog. They are chained up in
the yards, never taken for a walk. So far I have seen only 3 live cats,
4 as road kill!! I think the wild animals are keeping the population down?
hehe. As we continue to walk, there is an elderly gentleman walking with
us.. As we turn to him and express Dobra Rano! He questions Roman if he,
is a Hrynenko?? In amazement, Roman reply's,"YES, I AM" Turns
out that it is Mr.Cybulski. He attended school with Dad!! Mr. Cybulski
stood in wonderment and we chatted as we walked. After a short visit,
I asked if we may take his picture? Tak! Very proud, he straightens his
brown suit jacket and adjusts his hat, for a perfect picture...
The
scenery of the town is breathtaking.. Many of the buildings are dilapidated...
The Dance Hall had been bombed during WW 2, never repaired. Cannot believe
there is a family living there. 
They
made a wall to separate the bombed out part, and live in the front.. Sad.
The school that Dad went to, dated 1905 has been left in ruin. Windows
broken from kids throwing rocks. The old mill that was used for grinding
grain into flour, also bombed.. We could not get into it, as it was built
in a gully, beside 
the
creek. The land is so overgrown with trees, bushes and weeds that there
was no use trying. You could see the beams still holding up the roof,
the chains, grinding wheels etc. If only the walls could talk. Came across
a home that was owned by a Polish Family. The home, once beautiful, again
left in ruin, there is marker with an inscription dated 1802.
Nadia took us to a building in town, a two story apartment type. No curtains on the window, no windows open, and it was hot! A high fence surrounding the grounds. She explained that children live here that are not of sound mind? BUT WHERE ARE THEY ? I heard no laughing, crying, screaming. Nothing, why are they not outside, playing in the sunshine? There were no swings, sandbox, or slides? Not even a toy around to show that children live here.. there were no comings or goings... STRANGE ! The yard was just DIRT ! I never did go inside, maybe it's a good thing... my heart would have ached... end of topic... never came up again... The day was getting hot so we ventured back to the house. More to look at tomorrow.
Well,
we are off again. As we venture off the side road to P132 south take a
left to Drohobych
in Lviv'ska Oblast. the scenery is beautiful. Rolling hills, farm land
forever. Mining pits. Up and down, around.. finally arrive in Drohobych.
Ivana tried to get off early but her Manager would not let her. She ran
all the way from the sewing factory. She lives in a five story apartment
block, #56 in section 142. Three bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom,
very spacious. Hardwood floors, a porch off the living room. Ivana and
her husband have lived there since 1976. Ivana is originally from 
Ternopil.
As she explained her life history tears streamed down her cheeks. Mamo
died at age 42, three months later Tato remarried a widower with 3 children.
He left Ivana all alone, as she explains, how could he just leave her??
With no where to go, her Uncle raised her. He wanted her to take his name
but she refused. Another wonderful lunch. Ivana was all smiles as she
pulled out her accordion, her hands were not as nimble as they used to
be, since she has not played for a long time. Ivana sang several old Ukrainian
songs.. Before you knew it, everyone joined in. We had a great time...
Again hugs, kisses, were off.
You
know when you get into an automobile here, you kinda take your life in
your own hands. You are dodging cows, geese, ducks, people walking, people
biking, you name it. The oncoming cars trying as hard as you to get by.
The clouds were dark, hanging low in the evening sky, and eerie. As we
come to a fork in the road the site in front makes me gasp!! STOP !!!
We arrive in the town of Rudniki. The site is overwhelming. The massive
Church sits on top the hill. Grey in colour with whitewashed corners.
Against the evening sky it is awe inspiring.. Leading up to it, the Blessed
Virgin Mary, surrounded by a 
blaze
of colours. Set into the hill is a grotto of St. Onufray, with candles
sit atop the stone fence.. As we set forth to climb the long staircase
we gaze over to our right. There is another building, built with the same
grey stone, whitewashed corners. The building had guests, a very large
nest had been built by storks. Guarding the two story building is a large
statue of Taras Shevchenko. Unfortunately the church was not open, but
took the time to see the cemetery which is on the same grounds. There
is a beautiful statue of Jesus about 8' tall, donated by Pavlo Habolvicha,
in 1999 who was born in Rudniki, had immigrated to America.
All the towns in Ukraine are very close together, just like on the Canadian Prairies. There are signs leading into town and the ones leading out of town have a red line though them. In Rudniki the main employment was fishing. All the homes have fishing gear and nets hanging on the walls and are very well kept. Well spaced with beautiful gardens, with iron fences surrounding them. You can actually see the difference when driving from Oblast to Oblast. In the Carpathians the homes are made of wood. Lviv'ska, brick and stone with whitewashed walls. Ternpilska Oblast, many of the homes have beautifully laid ceramic tiles in intricate designs. The evening is warm as we sit and watch the stars come out... and discuss the day...
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