Ahh, Bryan, you bring back fond memories of my visits to post-1989 Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia (as it was back then). The hospitality, the ingenuity, the can-do spirit was exhilarating. I follow news from Ukraine today with some anxiety but much more with hope and confidence. They shall overcome! I joined the daily protesters at the Russian embassy for a couple of years - until my legs failed me. The embassy was so frightened by this peaceful protest (mostly women at first) they added three feet of fencing to their high wrought iron fence topped with barbed wire. I used to rest occasionally on the stone ledge of the fence invariably an official would tell me to get off it. They eventually electrified their fence -- not to kill us but to let out a piercing, ear-shattering noise if anyone got closer than six inches. But those faithful daily protesters remain and will remain until that empire is defeated. So pleased that Canada is unwavering in its support.
Great story. Surprised at this account of Soviet era construction. Tim Snyder said that the residential buildings that had best withstood bombings were the old ones built in the 1970s compared to new construction which collapsed like a house of cards. Now I am wondering what those new buildings were made of!
Good read. You are full of fabulous stories!
Ahh, Bryan, you bring back fond memories of my visits to post-1989 Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia (as it was back then). The hospitality, the ingenuity, the can-do spirit was exhilarating. I follow news from Ukraine today with some anxiety but much more with hope and confidence. They shall overcome! I joined the daily protesters at the Russian embassy for a couple of years - until my legs failed me. The embassy was so frightened by this peaceful protest (mostly women at first) they added three feet of fencing to their high wrought iron fence topped with barbed wire. I used to rest occasionally on the stone ledge of the fence invariably an official would tell me to get off it. They eventually electrified their fence -- not to kill us but to let out a piercing, ear-shattering noise if anyone got closer than six inches. But those faithful daily protesters remain and will remain until that empire is defeated. So pleased that Canada is unwavering in its support.
What a great story, Bryan, and a great metaphor, too.
Great story. Surprised at this account of Soviet era construction. Tim Snyder said that the residential buildings that had best withstood bombings were the old ones built in the 1970s compared to new construction which collapsed like a house of cards. Now I am wondering what those new buildings were made of!
I’m sure Tim is right. He usually is. But I saw what I saw, and the building was certainly more than a decade old.
Wonderful story, Bryan.