Ukraine Week 2

On Monday we visited the villages in the western part of the Molotschna Colonies, beginning with Petershagen and the recently restored first MB church. We visited Halbstadt, once the administrative centre of the Molotschna Colony and now the location of the Mennonite Centre. After lunch at the Mennonite Centre we visited a hospital in Munthau and then Fischau where we located the site where my father was born and where his mother was born. After this we went to the Lichtenau train station where many Mennonites departed either for North America or Siberia.

Mennonite Church in Petershagen

Irene and me at the property where our father lived

Lichtenau train station

Tuesday we visited the villages in the eastern part of the Molotschna Colonies, including Rudnerweide where we located the site of the home where my mother moved to at 3 years of age and lived at until leaving for Canada 8 years later. In Waldheim we visited a hospital built by a Kornelius Warkentin in 1908 and still in use today. We also got to visit a large cooperative farm and have a conversation with the chairman.

With Walter Ewert at a Coop farm 

Carl Plett, Irene and me at the property where his father and our mother lived

On Wednesday on a small group tour we went to Andreadsfeld – at least where it used to be. In 1933 a dam was built along the Dnieper River, which submerged former Andreasfeld under water. There were beautiful recreation areas leading up to the water and we did dip our feet in the water that covers the area where Grace’s mother was born. Next we headed to Wiesenfeld where some of Alf’s ancestors came from. Again, Victor Penner indicated there was “nothing to see”.  However, he and some local people were vey excited to see Alf’s google printout and told of us of some dirt trails we could take. Alf and Victor were quite excited to find old fruit trees (pear, apple) as well as some lilac and mulberry bushes – all clear signs of a former village. Victor then told us that Mennonite villages had to be a few kilometres from a main road and not too visible to reduce chances of thefts. Upon return I visited the Mennonite Family Centre that provides homecare for over 100 people with cancer, MS or other problems as well as a time of fellowship and meals for other poor seniors. Then we visited an orphanage that John Wien volunteers at. After supper we took a walk along the Black Sea.

Grace and me at the property where her mother lived 

Alf and Linda Poetker, Grace and myself at the pear tree

Thursday we enjoyed a scenic drive from Zaporazhye to Yalta. Friday we toured Yalta. One of our first sites was a view of a statue of Lenin overlooking a McDonalds – very ironic. We visited a Cathedral, a Museu and Lavidia Palace – site of the historic meeting between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill that condemned many Mennonites (and others) to death. Lunch was at an outdoor restaurant with a beautiful view overlooking the Black Sea and the Swallow’s Nest.

Lunch in a poppy field 

 Location of famous photo of Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill

 The Swallow’s Nest

Saturday we enjoyed the gorgeous scenery along the coastal area between Yalta and the seaport of Sevastopol. After a tour of Sevastopol we visited an amazing Panorama of the Defense of Sevastopol of 1854 – 55. The large circular painting was complemented with physical props. Lunch was at a beautiful tartar restaurant. After a visit to The BAKHCHSARAY HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL STATE PRESERVE, we headed back to Yalta. In the evening we had supper on the seaside walkway along the Black Sea.
                                             Dinner on the Black Sea with Ewerts, Poetkers, Carl and Irene

On Sunday had an all-day scenic drive from Yalta to Odessa. Monday we had a tour of Odessa and surrounding area. On Tuesday we will have a free day to explore Odessa on our own. On Wednesday we begin our journey home, hoping to get there late on Thursday evening.