ROADS

People ask me about my plans for the future. My answer; I have a two-day plan; Today, and tomorrow. The war in Ukraine has weaned me from building long-term plans for the future.
When the first  missiles flew into KIev, my husband told me I had just one hour to pack my things and evacuate the city. We quickly packed and drove away; Me, Masha, my friend Vera, and our dog Lucky. Our escape to Prague took a long, exhausting, and challenging six days. We continually changed to safer routes, at night were forced to sleep at strangers' houses, and once nat the border we slept in the field, in a car

I didn't realize at the time that this is a REAL war, with death, destruction and pain. I naively thought it wouldn't be a long time until the end of the week, the month, the spring, the summer.


Photo by krepkih_andrey    

I clearly understand now that this war is going to last a long time. During our escape, high in the Romanian mountains, the on-board computer of my car suddenly flashed; engine problem! This was most likely due to the disgusting, cheap petrol—there simply was no other petrol available in Ukraine because many other people were escaping Ukraine for other countries at the same time. It is a good thing we were able to stay the night at a man’s house, who happened to have a mechanic friend. He did a quick diagnostic check on my car,  changed the oil, and inspected everything for problems. Thankfully the car was now good for driving so we all moved on; me, the girls, and Lucky

My mechanic from Kiev had been killed in the first days of the war while defending besieged Irpen. Sadly, he left behind three children. Now when I get in the car, my first thought is of him.



Photo from my personal archive

We then drove through Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and finally arrived in the Czech Republic where our friends live. We stayed in Prague for three weeks, then continued our journey on to Belgium, where I have been living with Masha.

Now, I want to THANK EVERYONE who kindly opened the doors of their homes to us, and helped us in any way they could.
   
    Video was made by Lozovska.Alena   

Hi, I am from Ukraine.
I died yesterday.
Not literally but it could have happened.
I am lucky I did not live in Bucha.
I was lucky not to be born in Mariupol.
Luckily the missiles did not hit my house.
Luckily it is not my mutilated body in the photo.
It is a coincidence,
Lottery or the Worlds’ game.
Every Ukrainian could have been killed yesterday, a month ago, or on February 24,
Simply because we live in Ukraine.
And each of us is dying inside every day,
Over and over again.
Even if they are safe.
Even while continuing  to "live.”



Photos were taken by krepkih_andrey    

Video was made by Lozovska.alena