It’s a lazy Saturday
afternoon in Kiev. I’m running a low
grade fever and struggling to get through a persistent case of jet lag. I’m also counting down my final weeks in
Ukraine, so it’s a good opportunity to reflect and share some thoughts and
photos. Enjoy the second of three blog
entries on this good day to blog hard.
On a not-too-recent but not-too-distant Saturday morning, I arrived at
5am in the western Ukrainian city of Mukachevo after a 14-hour train ride and
overpaid a taxi to deliver me 30 minutes south to Beregovo, which is about as
far west in Ukraine one can go before spilling into Hungary.
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| Odd decoration in the train bathroom |
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| Inside the train--windows to the left; cabins to the right |
A colleague was waiting for me at his hotel when I arrived just before
6am. He welcomed me into his room and
offered me his accommodations while he went out to run errands. Sleep had been difficult for me during the
14-hour train ride, so I took the opportunity to rest for the next hour. Eventually, though, it was time to get ready
for main reason for my visit—jogging 10 kilometers through Ukraine’s wine
country as part of the annual Beregovo ½ marathon and 10k run.
You could be generous and say my legs were fresh; or you could be realistic
and recognize that I haven’t run much lately.
I’ve been exercising at home, but hadn’t hit the pavement much except
for a few short runs in preparation for the 10k. Despite some light cramping during the run, I
felt good and was able to enjoy the beautiful countryside. My colleague served as my pacer (and
inspiration), and we finished the race side-by-side in just over 50
minutes.
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| With rolling hill lined with grape vines behind us, the finish line is only steps away |
After the race, I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in Beregovo and helped
hand out prizes at the award ceremony.
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| Canopied cobbled street in Beregovo |
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| Post-race awards ceremony |
My appetite was healthy that evening, and the meal I had at my hotel was
fantastic.
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| Pork, potatoes, salad, bread, and beer--a perfect post-race meal |
The following day I returned to Mukachevo and spent a sunny afternoon at a
small wine festival in the center of town.
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| Mukachevo wine festival on a beautiful Sunday afternoon |
By early evening it was time to board the train for the return trip
to Kiev. The train snaked through the
Carpathian Mountains as the sun dropped in the western sky.
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| The long ride through the mountains east to Kiev |
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