As we sit on patio of fish restaurant that isn't open for lunch, we finally have very slow Internet.
Sebastopol is totally rebuilt since WWII, so light and airy...the day is warm and sunny.
Ever since boarding the plane in Chicago, I'm struck that Ukrainians have survived so much in the last century that we cover in a few pages of history books. Ukraine has changed a great deal in their 20 years of independence from the USSR, much of it now realistic financial and economic struggle. The centuries of being between numerous huge empires has meant much turmoil interspersed with times of grandeur and protection under the major powers, only to be invaded as the next great conqueror wants to expand.
In recent times, the Crimean War, 1850, was a major international battle for sea control, with the city of Sebastopol levered, then rebuilt. take over byRussians happened again after 1917Bolshevik Revolution with the city of Sebastopol again leveled in 1942 with theNazi takeover. Its 150,000 pop. Was reduced to 2000 by 1944.
Our guides speak plainly of governmental corruption, but are proud of their citizens.
On a personal note, we did get to the Odessa Art Museum yesterday, so saw a few 17th century icons. The Saturday visit to an Odessa monastery was a high point.
You are so lucky to get to see such old icons - I may be Presbyterian, but I have a thing for icons! Iconoclast I'll never be. Keep up the reports (when you can find an internet connection). --Brent
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