![\"DSC01012\"](\"https:\/\/findinggodeverywhere.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/DSC01012.jpg\")
<\/a>The road to Berezhany.<\/p><\/div>\n
Had I not hired a private car and driver\/interpreter for this segment of the journey, my desire to search for potential relatives or ancestors would have ended in L’viv.<\/p>\n
Through the kindness and professionalism of the L’viv hotel, a staff member hired a driver\/interpreter to drive his own vehicle and accompany me as I searched for answers to my ancestry. \u00a0Never driving this road before, he risked damage to his vehicle just to allow me this opportunity to journey to Berezhany.<\/p>\n
My kind driver\/interpreter.<\/p><\/div>\n
As it was, I happily bounced around a bit in the back seat while scanning my surroundings. \u00a0If not for the decision of my great grandparents families, I might still be living somewhere in this vicinity!<\/p>\n
<\/a>Low hills in the distance as we drove the valley road to Berezhany.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>One of only a few road signs directing the way. Without a guide fluent in Ukrainian, I would have missed which of the two roads to take.<\/p><\/div>\n
Dismayed at the poor condition of the roads, my guide explained roadways hadn’t been repaired since the Ukraine was under U.S.S.R. rule. \u00a0Russia has money, Ukraine does not. \u00a0Following the breakup of the U.S.S.R. very little funding is available for road repairs or upkeep.<\/p>\n
This was going to be a very long three hour drive. \u00a0Gratefully, the young man provided insight into life in the Ukraine and answers to some of my questions. \u00a0I asked numerous questions and learned much about this country. \u00a0With minimal opportunities in the small villages, most young people left their homes for better jobs or higher education in the larger cities (i.e., L’viv or Kiev) once they reached adulthood. \u00a0.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Few roads intersected the one we drove on.<\/p><\/div>\n
Rolling hills, clusters of leafless trees, and a few scattered farms were visible from the car as we drove slowly to Berezhany. \u00a0Small farms were quickly disappearing due to the difficulties of moving their crops to market.<\/p>\n
<\/a>One of the few “larger” farms seen in the distance.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Numerous Orthodox church domes anchor each small district or town.<\/p><\/div>\n
Horse drawn carts confirmed how “unchanged” life was in this area of the world. \u00a0Some carts were pulled by one horse, others by two.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Easier to drive a horse than a car on this area of roadway.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another Orthodox church.<\/p><\/div>\n
Pedestrians gathered here and there beside the main roadway, waiting for public transportation. \u00a0Occasionally, we saw elderly caring for their small yards by sweeping the dirt side walk of leaves and debris. \u00a0Chickens scurried away from our moving vehicle.<\/p>\n
Most of the local women wore kerchiefs around their heads (“babushkas” as my grandmother called them) and long aprons. \u00a0Rural men wore baggy pants and covered their heads with wool or fur caps.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Few own automobiles. Horse and carts are often relied upon to pick up and deliver supplies.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Respectfully, our driver took care as he drove around the horse drawn wagons.<\/p><\/div>\n
In the back of many homes I saw chicken coops, goats, cows and small gardens. \u00a0Here and there, a dog or cat could be seen, and fewer still were young children with their caretaker, playing in their yards.<\/p>\n
<\/a>One woman keeping property neat and clean using the same methods and tools that her ancestors used.<\/p><\/div>\n
We discussed Ukraine’s military draft system. \u00a0Every man must spend time in the military though a family’s financial resources played a part as to where the recruit slept (barracks), or the position he later held. \u00a0With scant tactical training and very few modern weapons or supporting aircraft, the draft system offered little protection for the Ukraine against a super military power like Russia (in the Crimean peninsula), \u00a0He felt the only chance of success in this war was through the strength and intervention of either the EU or the USA or both–though either seemed unlikely.<\/p>\n
Yet, he remained hopeful in the future of this newly formed country. \u00a0Aware of changes needed in the government, he participated in the recent political protests held in Kiev a few months earlier.\u00a0Some of his friends lost their lives while fighting for what they believed in. \u00a0They successfully removed a corrupt President (one “tied” to Russia) and caused changes in the operations of this newly formed country. \u00a0He believed in and trusted God in his life. \u00a0He attended one of the large churches in L’viv with his friends and family. \u00a0We all agreed, “With God all things are possible<\/em>,” without Him, nothing is.<\/p>\n The car slowed and came to a\u00a0stop while a traditional funeral procession approached. \u00a0It seemed an entire village appeared on foot with an older truck carrying the precious cargo.<\/p>\n Local residents walked before and after an open bed truck carrying a casket.<\/p><\/div>\n Priest, family members and friends walked slowly behind the truck.<\/p><\/div>\n Life here appears simple and uncomplicated compared to life in the United States. Instead of 2014 it could just as easily be 1914. \u00a0Peering through a car window into this culture, I wondered if much changed during the past hundred years. \u00a0While the world looks away, Russia still threatens the existence of the Ukraine.<\/p>\n Zolota Lipa River–almost in Berezhny.<\/p><\/div>\n This is the landscape called “Galicia”–the name of the area under various monarchies hundreds of years ago.<\/p><\/div>\n I hope to find clues to my family here. \u00a0If not, I will at least know a little more about the people who live here now, the life they lead and the manner in which some think about their own lives and that around them.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>