My Ukrainian Ride—With My Cry For Help

Maidan Nezalezhnosti, or Independence Square is the main square in Kyiv the capital of Ukraine.

Last week marked the 100th day (June 3) since Russia started an unprovoked war by bombarding Ukraine. And, Wow! It’s been some time since I’ve posted on the WorldRider travelogue.

It’s no secret why. “Life In The Time of Corona”. Yeah, it’s the pandemic, dammit. Before we were locked down in early 2020, I shared many posts about my journey from Greece to circumnavigating the Black Sea. I wrote about Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania. Then I stopped.

I started my Journeys Livestream show. And for thirty-eight weeks, I interviewed guests and shared their journeys and stories with a growing live audience. After I posted the interviews, complete with added bonuses of video and slideshow integrations on my YouTube Channel, WorldRider.tv. Occasionally I would post a notice here on WorldRider.com because many of you may have missed the live stream or do not subscribe to my YouTube Channel. If you don’t, please do by clicking here.

Beyond Romania, I traveled to Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Turkey—before returning to Greece in October 2019.

Yes, I traveled through Ukraine. From Bessarabia, I traveled through hundreds of miles of golden pastures to the beautiful city of Kyiv. After exploring much of the Ukrainian capital, I journeyed south to the port city of Odesa, visiting villages and wineries and dining on delicious Ukrainian food along the way. Finally, I said goodbye to my new Ukrainian friends on September 2, 2019. Then, I boarded a cargo ship, complete with tractor-trailers, containers, and train cars, and headed to Georgia. Yes, the loaded trains from Ukraine bound for Batumi in Georgia. I have never seen anything like it.

My motorcycle, Doc, is tucked between dozens of 18-wheel trucks on the cargo ship heading from Odesa, Ukraine to Batumi in Georgia across the Black Sea.

I’ve got hundreds of photos and pages of notes from my Ukrainian experience. But, to date, I’ve never shared them with anyone.

Just after Russia started bombing Ukraine, I edited a video. In addition, I included an intimate and engaging slide show of the faces, places, and food of Ukraine. This was my effort to not only ask people in my sphere to support Ukraine but to also humanize the situation. The smiles will bring tears to your eyes as now, more than two months later, the conflict continues, as does the resilience of the Ukrainian people.

My call for support is as important today as when I recorded this nearly two months ago. So for my first “travel” post here sometime, I will share this story and the video I produced with you.

Please enjoy a bit of Ukrainian hospitality.

In 2019 I traveled by motorcycle through Ukraine. My experience with the kindness of strangers (now new friends), culture, food, and wine is indelible and Ukraine has a home in my heart. Join me by supporting Ukraine’s multiple crises due to the insane attack on its state by Putin and Russia. The links below are to safe, secure, and verified charities providing aid to its armed forces, refugees, and humanitarian crisis. Read below the links for further info on each charity.

Come Back Alive Foundation – https://www.facebook.com/backandalive
Army SOS — https://armysos.com.ua/en/help-the-army
Razom for Ukraine — https://razomforukraine.org/donate/
Global Empowerment Mission — globalempowermentmission.org
World Central Kitchen — https://wck.org/
Global Giving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund — https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ukraine-crisis-relief-fund/
International Rescue Committee — https://bit.ly/Ukraine-irc
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Come Back Alive Foundation – https://www.facebook.com/backandalive
Based in Kyiv Comeback Alive is one of the largest charities in Ukraine, primarily fundraising for Ukraine’s military, to aid soldiers and volunteers with supplies, including equipment (thermographic cameras and night vision devices), drones, and personal body protection, and specialized software. Donate by transfers, crypto, and through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/savelife_in_ua
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Army SOS — https://armysos.com.ua/en/help-the-army
Army SOS uses donated funds to support Ukrainian soldiers. It manages purchases of necessary ammunition, shields, intercommunication and reconnaissance facilities, uniforms, and food supply. https://www.facebook.com/groups/armia.sos/
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Razom for Ukraine — https://razomforukraine.org/donate/
Razom for Ukraine aims to help Ukraine pursue a democratic society that has civil rights for all.
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Global Empowerment Mission — globalempowermentmission.org
Global Empowerment Mission is on the ground in the tiny village of Medyka, Poland, using donations to buy refugees train and plane tickets to help them reach any family or friends they may have in Europe.
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World Central Kitchen — https://wck.org/
Chef Jose Andrés has set up his World Central Kitchen on the ground at the Ukraine-Poland border providing warm meals for the hungry.
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Global Giving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund — https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/ukraine-crisis-relief-fund/
Donations will help affected communities in Ukraine, with a focus on the most vulnerable, including children, who need access to food, medical services, and psychosocial support.
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International Rescue Committee — https://bit.ly/Ukraine-irc
The International Rescue Committee is mobilizing resources to aid the people in Ukraine who were forced to flee their homes. “The IRC is meeting with partners and local civil society organizations in Poland and Ukraine to assess capacity for responding to an increase of refugees and people in need.

#StandWithUkraine #ukraine #peace