Reflections on a journey...

...strong women wanting to rebuild their bomb-damaged village and the random nature of the destruction of Putin's war. 
However, we have observed that most of the areas attacked are poorer quarters or villages, rather than the shiny skyscrapers of Kyiv. It seems as if poorer people are suffering disproportionately. 
... the total disgust we felt at seeing boy racers in souped-up motor cars and motorbikes, racing down the streets of Kyiv. 
...a day later, the sight of people in a modern European capital, filling up cans and buckets at water pumps because further missile attacks on critical infrastructure has left 40% of Kyiv's residents without water, as well as without electricity.
... the overwhelming kindness and friendship of people we met on this and other journeys. The gifts we were given. A woman, who we only met 3 weeks ago when we broke down in her friend's village, invited us back to her home and laid out a spread of food that must have taken her half a day to cook. With no common language between us, we managed to communicate.
... walking through a large town (Khmelnytskyi) last night without any street lights, trying not to trip over loose paving stones, but moon and stars clearly visible without any light pollution.
... the stunning beauty of this country that never ceases to impress us.
... the families in our home and village, now becoming part of the community, at a Halloween party in the local pub.

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