Hitting the Highway
Today we were on what seemed like a super highway for Ukraine as we traveled from Odessa to Kiev. Finally – some smooth tarmac – hallelujah! However, as I sped down this highway constantly trying to go the ever changing, never-marked, speed limit I was stunned by the culture along the highway in Ukraine.
Imagine this highway as a regular interstate like the I-80 or I-5 in the US – big, wide, and busy with cars going top speeds. In Ukraine anything goes along the side of the road on the shoulder. I passed people hitchhiking, selling fruit out of buckets, sleeping along the side of the shoulder, rollerblading along the shoulder and of course biking in every direction along the shoulder was allowed!
Selling fruit along the busy 4 lane highway
Then there were the animals, ducks and chickens were frequently seen on the road just hanging out. But when I looked up in the distance and saw a big animal – I was shocked. There was a cow walking down the middle of the highway! Once I made this realization, I slammed on the brakes as the cow would clearly win against our Nissan in the game of chicken on the highway!
Thanks to Rick for grabbing his video camera quickly to capture this crazy cow moment!
Another surprise was the pedestrian crosswalks that were frequently crossing the highway. Not on a bridge above the highway…but on the highway. Not to mention the many places where Uturns on the highway were legal.
Crosswalk on the highway...typical in Ukraine
We stopped at a roadside stand to have some coffee and decided to play Ukrainian Roulette for breakfast by just pointing at a breaded rectangular shape and hoping for the best. Luckily we made the right choice – it turned out to be an apple filled pastry…whew. I doubt we’ll be that lucky all the time!
Ukrainian Roulette...will be lucky with our breakfast choice?
That’s the eternal problem traveling in the Ukraine – not being able to read the signs or menus. As I sped by signs on the highway I wondered if they were important. I had no idea what message they were trying to tell me – which was a bit concerning.
Deciphering highway signs - we need a translator!
All in all, the highway culture kept me engaged and in awe during my 6 hour drive today…better than any can of Diet Coke ever could!
How to donate to our charity – the Christina Nobel Foundation – we are still collecting donations along the way!
By Emily in Chile August 10, 2011 - 3:27 pm
Crosswalks on the highway is madness! It doesn’t look like there are any kind of lights to warn you about them either. The apple pastry looks really good though.
By Debbie Beardsley August 10, 2011 - 7:42 pm
Oh trying to decipher those signs would make me nervous! Glad to hear you won at roulette.
By Lynn Nill August 10, 2011 - 8:22 pm
Wish I could remember my high school Russian! I used to be able to read that shit! Remember the distances are in kilometers….;)
By Mark H August 13, 2011 - 6:24 pm
Sounds like the roads have much more character. It’s good to see such activities as selling fruit and what not.
By Natalie T. September 3, 2011 - 1:39 am
Fascinating! That’s what I love about stepping in a truly foreign culture. Crosswalks on highways is not something I have heard of! Nomadic Matt was also talking about the Ukraine not speaking English and trying to navigate his way through the challenges. Glad you got the apple strudel!