Difference between revisions of "Ukraine"

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<map lat='49' lng='32' zoom='5' view='0' float='right' width='430'/>
 
<map lat='49' lng='32' zoom='5' view='0' float='right' width='430'/>
Generally, hitchhiking is quite okay in '''Ukraine'''.  
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Generally, hitchhiking is quite okay in '''Ukraine''', one of the biggest countries in [[Europe]].
  
The biggest problem you could meet is that the majority of the people don't speak English or other foreign language. Though, if your Ukrainian is good enough, and you feel like it: just go for it! Most of people speak Russian too. Besides, if you speak any of Slavic languages, the connection will be much easier, they are quite similar. Especially ukrainians understand Polish - it is the closest of slavonic languages expepting Belorussinan and Russian.
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The biggest problem you could meet is that the majority of the people don't speak English or other foreign language. Though, if your Ukrainian is good enough, and you feel like it: just go for it! Most of people speak Russian too. Besides, if you speak any of Slavic languages, the connection will be much easier, they are quite similar. Especially Ukrainians understand Polish - it is the closest of Slavic languages excepting Belorussian and Russian.
 
Generally Ukrainians are hospitable and open persons when you have no language barrier. They like to help foreigners besides.
 
Generally Ukrainians are hospitable and open persons when you have no language barrier. They like to help foreigners besides.
  
 
===General tips===
 
===General tips===
  
When hitchhiking in '''Ukraine''' do not be surprised if you are occasionally asked for money from drivers. It is not often, however, but it occurs. Of course you can always tell the drivers that your don't have money and that you are hitchhiking. It could be easier for you to put some phrases to you conversations in a car which could let drivers to understand that you are hitchhicker.  
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When hitchhiking in '''Ukraine''' do not be surprised if you are occasionally asked for money from drivers. It is not often, however, but it occurs. Of course you can always tell the drivers that your don't have money and that you are hitchhiking. It could be easier for you to put some phrases to you conversations in a car which could let drivers to understand that you are hitchhiker.  
Truck-drivers always recognoise hich-hickers - in that case '''Ukraine''' is not an exeption.  
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Truck-drivers always recognize hitchhikers - in that case '''Ukraine''' is not an exception.  
  
 
The state of the roads are pretty dire in general, and the biggest problem is the distances involved are usually pretty big (for example [[Lviv]] to [[Kyiv]] is around 550 km). It is allowed to hitchhike everywhere on the roadside, you just need to find the most lucky place.  
 
The state of the roads are pretty dire in general, and the biggest problem is the distances involved are usually pretty big (for example [[Lviv]] to [[Kyiv]] is around 550 km). It is allowed to hitchhike everywhere on the roadside, you just need to find the most lucky place.  
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In winter '''Ukraine''' can get very cold, for example January 2006 it hit -35 °C, which makes hitchhiking very dangerous. The cost of train travel is very cheap – usually around one euro for every 100 km (for overnight sleeping carriages), so bear it in mind when going from city to city.
 
In winter '''Ukraine''' can get very cold, for example January 2006 it hit -35 °C, which makes hitchhiking very dangerous. The cost of train travel is very cheap – usually around one euro for every 100 km (for overnight sleeping carriages), so bear it in mind when going from city to city.
In summer there might be hot in summer (up to +35°C), so don't forget to insure you hat from lots of sunbathig.  
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In summer there might be hot in summer (up to +35°C), so don't forget to insure you hat from lots of sunbathing.  
  
 
===Food===
 
===Food===
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===Crimes===
 
===Crimes===
 
Crimes related to hitch-hiking are not common in Ukraine. But a hitchhiker should avoid cars where is dunked drivers or passengers there. When you are single girl - better to find truck or a car with family for you safety. Avoid night-rides with "funny" drivers, better avoid Caucasus-faced drivers.
 
Crimes related to hitch-hiking are not common in Ukraine. But a hitchhiker should avoid cars where is dunked drivers or passengers there. When you are single girl - better to find truck or a car with family for you safety. Avoid night-rides with "funny" drivers, better avoid Caucasus-faced drivers.
It is also necessary to keep you money in safe place or on credit cards, the same for mobiles - shit happens everywere in the world.
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It is also necessary to keep you money in safe place or on credit cards, the same for mobiles - shit happens everywhere in the world.
  
  

Revision as of 23:02, 21 July 2008

<map lat='49' lng='32' zoom='5' view='0' float='right' width='430'/> Generally, hitchhiking is quite okay in Ukraine, one of the biggest countries in Europe.

The biggest problem you could meet is that the majority of the people don't speak English or other foreign language. Though, if your Ukrainian is good enough, and you feel like it: just go for it! Most of people speak Russian too. Besides, if you speak any of Slavic languages, the connection will be much easier, they are quite similar. Especially Ukrainians understand Polish - it is the closest of Slavic languages excepting Belorussian and Russian. Generally Ukrainians are hospitable and open persons when you have no language barrier. They like to help foreigners besides.

General tips

When hitchhiking in Ukraine do not be surprised if you are occasionally asked for money from drivers. It is not often, however, but it occurs. Of course you can always tell the drivers that your don't have money and that you are hitchhiking. It could be easier for you to put some phrases to you conversations in a car which could let drivers to understand that you are hitchhiker. Truck-drivers always recognize hitchhikers - in that case Ukraine is not an exception.

The state of the roads are pretty dire in general, and the biggest problem is the distances involved are usually pretty big (for example Lviv to Kyiv is around 550 km). It is allowed to hitchhike everywhere on the roadside, you just need to find the most lucky place.

Weather

In winter Ukraine can get very cold, for example January 2006 it hit -35 °C, which makes hitchhiking very dangerous. The cost of train travel is very cheap – usually around one euro for every 100 km (for overnight sleeping carriages), so bear it in mind when going from city to city. In summer there might be hot in summer (up to +35°C), so don't forget to insure you hat from lots of sunbathing.

Food

Of course you can get stuck easily because of night on highway next to turn away from main road. But there are also nice night-traffic of trucks caused by warm weather from may to September. Usually there are some gas stations near to such places and there some favorite and famous places for stops known by drivers - something like unofficial rest-stations (There are no official but a lot of unofficial ones). You can easily find something to eat and to drink there or at almost all gas-stations there are night-shops. You can eat in some road-restaurants, they may be not expensive for foreigners from countries like UE ones - you would probably have some nice dinner there for $7-10 (2008).

Crimes

Crimes related to hitch-hiking are not common in Ukraine. But a hitchhiker should avoid cars where is dunked drivers or passengers there. When you are single girl - better to find truck or a car with family for you safety. Avoid night-rides with "funny" drivers, better avoid Caucasus-faced drivers. It is also necessary to keep you money in safe place or on credit cards, the same for mobiles - shit happens everywhere in the world.


Cities