We meet
many wonderful Ukrainians. There is
Michael, the transplanted Ukrainian-American bookseller who came back to make
his fortune in the new Ukraine. Vitaly,
is an ex-military man, turned businessman and Anna the women’s rights
executive are perfect examples of what the new Ukraine needs to compete in
the new world order.
Ukrainians, by and large are not happy people. They don’t smile much and initially seem to be quite unfriendly. Often, it’s simply a natural reserve. In the markets, we manage to connect with several vendors and are rewarded with passionate humanity. People seldom praise others and, apparently, it is not considered appropriate to smile at strangers. Some Ukrainians tell us that the reason is that they don’t have too much to smile about, but one gets the impression that its in the nature of a rather dark Slavonic soul that has always underlied life here. Many people tell us that they would like to go back 10 years to the days of Communism when life was safer, more predictable and they had more comfort, security and predictability. Poverty, as we know it in Africa though, is not obvious here. Food seems to be quite plentiful and inexpensive.
The
big Ukrainian secret is that the city streets are filled with “drop dead”
gorgeous long-legged, super slim elegant young women, often adorned in black
mini skirts and long black coats. Many
women color their hair red, even a few old babushkas.
Certainly, younger women seem to spend a great deal on their image. We
are told that there is a lot of competition among women to find a good man;
there are 4 women for every man nationally and in Nikolaev, its 8:1.
By age 40 many women many have had 7-8 abortions – the preferred method of
contraception! Many women,
desperate to get away from the grind of Ukrainian life are actively seeking a
foreign man who will marry them to get them out of here.
Very few people speak any English – mainly teachers, waiters and the hookers who can spot an American tourist at 100 yards.