I've been to Odessa once in my life. It was January, 1991 - a very cold, dark time throughout that part of the world.
My Aeroflot night flight, en route from Moscow to Moldova, was diverted to land at Odessa. A friendly English-speaking Russian seated near me explained that blizzard conditions at Kishinev, our destination, closed its runway.
My comfort zone instantly vanished. I had a car and English-speaking driver waiting for me in Kishinev; no one at Odessa of course. Plus, it was near midnight, my military ID was in my wallet and I had no visa for Odessa. Apprehensive I became.
The passengers, all Russian citizens except me, were escorted into the terminal. The experience was akin to stepping back in time.
The structure was something made soon after commercial aviation was introduced to the Soviet Union. As an antiquarian, I loved the experience.
What made me anxious, however, was the phalanx of armed men who -- in the gloom on the poorly lit room -- were organizing me and all the other passengers into two lines.
Lots of shouting soon organized us as the soldiers wanted. It turns out they were the equivalent of Passport Control
The shouting was incessant. It didn't take long for me to realize the soldiers didn't like the Russians dumped in their lap when they would likely be snoozing somewhere.
The Russians, recognizing their circumstances, did nothing to exacerbate the very agitated, angry Ukrainian soldiers. What changed the mood from sour to festive was me.
When I presented my US passport, it became party time. The Ukrainians were astounded to find a bona fide American among the despised Russians.
Soon I was conversing with several in English. One wanted to know if I knew his uncle in Chicago.
But it was some clever, fast-acting Moldovans who got me to Kishinev. They rented a taxi if I paid for it. Best money I spent that year.
But my memory was not the night ride in a blizzard; it was the visceral hatred a batch of Ukrainians had for Russians, hatred now exacerbated many-fold thanks to Putin the Murdering Megalomaniac
Thank you JD for another beautiful story! Never a fan of Putin, but appreciate his love of country and his people. From what I hear the death numbers are highly exaggerated on both fronts and this has been nothing more than another reality show for the world to watch. Putins main concern has always been China, and the incredible stupidity of the American business community and our government that works for them. His greatest fear was never the West, but the East. He has tried for decades to change the minds of our globalist governments as much as they have tried to sway him. They, the globalist Comunities failed in every possible sense and now China is the menace of the world. Still hope if Russia and America can come to terms and join against the coming Chinese world invasion. If not, you may want to start listening to some Mandarin tapes in your car🤔
I've been to Odessa once in my life. It was January, 1991 - a very cold, dark time throughout that part of the world.
My Aeroflot night flight, en route from Moscow to Moldova, was diverted to land at Odessa. A friendly English-speaking Russian seated near me explained that blizzard conditions at Kishinev, our destination, closed its runway.
My comfort zone instantly vanished. I had a car and English-speaking driver waiting for me in Kishinev; no one at Odessa of course. Plus, it was near midnight, my military ID was in my wallet and I had no visa for Odessa. Apprehensive I became.
The passengers, all Russian citizens except me, were escorted into the terminal. The experience was akin to stepping back in time.
The structure was something made soon after commercial aviation was introduced to the Soviet Union. As an antiquarian, I loved the experience.
What made me anxious, however, was the phalanx of armed men who -- in the gloom on the poorly lit room -- were organizing me and all the other passengers into two lines.
Lots of shouting soon organized us as the soldiers wanted. It turns out they were the equivalent of Passport Control
The shouting was incessant. It didn't take long for me to realize the soldiers didn't like the Russians dumped in their lap when they would likely be snoozing somewhere.
The Russians, recognizing their circumstances, did nothing to exacerbate the very agitated, angry Ukrainian soldiers. What changed the mood from sour to festive was me.
When I presented my US passport, it became party time. The Ukrainians were astounded to find a bona fide American among the despised Russians.
Soon I was conversing with several in English. One wanted to know if I knew his uncle in Chicago.
But it was some clever, fast-acting Moldovans who got me to Kishinev. They rented a taxi if I paid for it. Best money I spent that year.
But my memory was not the night ride in a blizzard; it was the visceral hatred a batch of Ukrainians had for Russians, hatred now exacerbated many-fold thanks to Putin the Murdering Megalomaniac
Wow. Incredible story. Thank you for sharing.
JD,
we Brits and Europeans lived through hardships that todays' youth cannot imagine. It is by the grace of God that we live in such abundant times.
I was married to a polish girl who told similar tales to the one you just recited.
The lesson, I think is to be grateful for peace and to avoid conflict where possible.
Happy anniversary.
Thank you!
Thank you JD for another beautiful story! Never a fan of Putin, but appreciate his love of country and his people. From what I hear the death numbers are highly exaggerated on both fronts and this has been nothing more than another reality show for the world to watch. Putins main concern has always been China, and the incredible stupidity of the American business community and our government that works for them. His greatest fear was never the West, but the East. He has tried for decades to change the minds of our globalist governments as much as they have tried to sway him. They, the globalist Comunities failed in every possible sense and now China is the menace of the world. Still hope if Russia and America can come to terms and join against the coming Chinese world invasion. If not, you may want to start listening to some Mandarin tapes in your car🤔