chossid's PhotoBlog

Kvarim Trip 5768 1 or Ukraine in the Rain

2008-09-18T17:08:51Z

In the past, we took this trip in the summer. This year it didn't work out, and we started out late Saturday night, arriving back at home early Wednesday morning. It took us longer than we'd planned, because we had rain almost the entire way! We also forgot to take into consideration that northern Ukraine is considerably chillier now than Crimea, so we were pretty cold. The spiritual side though, more than made up for the lack of physical warmth. Remember that Ukraine used to be known as the bread basket of Europe. The scenery along the way is fields, fields, and more fields. Wheat and barley alternate with corn, sunflowers, and other grains. In the north, there are more forests. Amidst the fields and forests is the occasional village. At this time of the year, the hay is more often than not already gathered up into huge haystacks. At the side of the road, lie large piles of logs and winter squash. Geese, ducks, and chickens run wild near their owners homes. In the rainy weather, they had a ball finding worms. Northern Ukraine also produces neft -- crude oil, and flames atop pipes can be seen from afar. Of course there is one thing that absolutely will be seen in every town. It is probably more sure than even birth, death, and taxes, and that is a statue of father Lenin.

Hello... Anyone Home?

2008-09-05T02:31:03Z

I know the quality of the first picture is terrible, but I had to get that shot of the young construction worker, high up on the scaffolding, sitting and talking on his cell phone! His reflection is seen on the next building, in the second photo.

The Candle of G-d

2008-09-17T18:11:04Z

“ The soul of man is the candle of G-d.” Proverbs 20:27 Before any holiday when yizkor, the memorial prayer, is said (Yom Kippur, Shmini Atzeres, the last day of Pesach and second day of Shavuos), a yahrtzeit candle, which burns for at least 24 hours, is lit by one whose parent(s) passed away. We also light a candle at the graves of tzaddikim -- saintly people, and on the yahrtzeit, anniversary of the passing, of a close relative. A candle is lit because we are remembering the person's soul, and "The candle of G-d is the soul of Man."

Bakhtshiserai Region 2

2008-08-22T08:28:50Z

Bakhtshiserai Region 1

2008-08-22T07:43:29Z

My friend Lena, from Bakhtshiserai, picked us up on Wednesday morning, to see several factories. The Bakhtshiserai region is quite lovely, with its open views of the Crimean mountains. Afterwards she decided to take us fishing. I never take off time for myself -- our circumstances have made me a bit of a workaholic. The place she took us to is very interesting, with many types of amusements available, besides fishing.

Plants I Have Known

2008-07-14T09:53:55Z

Bakhtshiserai Palace 2

2008-07-13T18:50:59Z

Bakhtshiserai Palace 1

2008-07-13T18:14:56Z

Tchufute Kalei

2008-07-13T06:57:35Z

Upper pics: Knassas or Bais Knesses -- Synagogue. Lower pics: cemetary, with graves dating back 500 years.

Tchufute Kalei Cave City

2008-07-12T02:10:47Z

In Crimea there are 8 cave cities. The most known is Tchufute Kalei ("City of the Jews" in the Tartar language.) It's just above Bakhtshiserai, palace of the Khan.