Comments on: Experiencing Eastern Europe

By: Corinne Vail

Corinne Vail — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 19:15:17 +0000

In reply to Rachel Heller. Rachel, Exactly! I love it, because there are still so many leftovers from those days, but so many new things as well. We absolutely love traveling in EE.

By: Rachel Heller

Rachel Heller — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 18:30:00 +0000

I went to Moscow for a conference a few years ago, and there was a moment on Red Square, outside St Basil’s Cathedral, that I felt I needed to pinch myself. My younger self, in high school in the US in the 70’s, would never in a million years have imagined that I’d be able to travel to Moscow so freely and easily. After all, the Soviet Union was the “evil empire,” the “them” in “Us vs. Them.”

By: Jim Vail

Jim Vail — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 20:03:42 +0000

In reply to Linda Bibb. That is the real challenge isn't it? Especially for us as we only have limited time throughout most of the year. I think your right, hardships usually bring people together so that could be part of the welcoming we experience.

By: Linda Bibb

Linda Bibb — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 17:41:34 +0000

I certainly agree that there’s nothing like traveling to open your eyes. Experience is the best teacher by far. Up until now we have only had a taste of the Eastern Bloc nations (Croatia, Montenegro, Hungary, Slovakia) and as you said they still bear the scars of the Communist era. We learned a lot visiting a Slovakian home and talking to the owners, who have reclaimed a family winery. Perhaps it is because of their hardships that they seem so welcoming, or it might be because they just want to help curious travelers better understand their country. In any case we have only had wonderful experiences in Eastern Europe and we really want to go back. Our biggest challenge is figuring out where we want to go first!

By: Jim Vail

Jim Vail — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 20:50:09 +0000

In reply to Stephen Garone. You're so right Stephen!

By: Stephen Garone

Stephen Garone — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 17:03:34 +0000

My first trip to Eastern Europe was to Hungary back in 1992, via train from Austria. I knew immediately that things were different as soon as I crossed the border, when things immediately became sad and gray. In 2008, however, when I went to Croatia and Slovenia, the differences between East and West were minimal. What a difference a decade can make.

By: Corinne Vail

Corinne Vail — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 03:52:25 +0000

In reply to eileen g. Eileen, It's true, many do struggle and some even feel life was better under Soviet times because everyone had a job. It's an interesting area, for sure.

By: eileen g

eileen g — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 21:23:22 +0000

I got to visit Prague in the early 1990s when they were just starting to rediscover their non-Soviet Bloc identity and Western Tourists were a novelty. You could feel that the local people suddenly felt promise and opportunity in the air. It’s a shame that while a few of these places have managed to thrive so many are still struggling. Good for you for exploring them all!

By: Corinne Vail

Corinne Vail — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 12:28:21 +0000

In reply to Rhonda. Rhonda, I think you would especially enjoy it, since you've seen it before it was liberated as well. It's quite the perspective.

By: Corinne Vail

Corinne Vail — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 12:27:38 +0000

In reply to budget jan. Thanks Jan! We've only got a few more countries in Eastern Europe to visit, but then it's on to Central Asia. What a fantastically big world we live in!