Crossing the border between Poland and Ukraine was an adventure in itself. The train I boarded in Kraków was about ten cars long, but only three went all the way through to L’viv. I had to buy a ticket on a sleeper car, though I had no intention to sleep before arrival. One cabin mate spoke a little English, the other did not.
The map didn’t make the trip out to be as long as it was scheduled for, but I soon learned that there were two stops along the way, at Przemyśl to leave Poland, and just over the border to enter Ukraine. Each stop was about two hours long. In Poland, we were pushed around a bit as they switched engines and adjusted the wheels beneath us, then we were pushed backwards into the station for customs. An agent came through the train and stamped our passports.
We then slowly headed for the border. In Ukraine, they took away our passports while we waited, still not leaving the train. And they even brought dogs through each cabin. Eventually, we headed off to L’viv, arriving after midnight, where I had to quickly buy another train ticket for Uzhgorod.
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- Another Train
Spotted through another train along the way.
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- Switching Station
We were in Przemysl for quick a while before customs even came through. This was our new engine coming for us.
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- Przemysl Glowny
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- Poland Customs
Upon station arrival, we were pushed forward and backward a bit, eventually backing us up to this particular spot. We didn't leave the train; they came aboard.
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- Scenery
The buildings started to look more Ukrainian. I especially like this shot for the guy stopped at the train warning arms.
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- My Last Sunset in Poland
Beautiful.
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- Do Widzenia
Poland says "goodbye".
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- Border Wall
I'm pretty sure this wall stood at the precise border between the countries. We approached Ukraine very slowly from the Przemysl station.
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- Ukraine
Can you see this says Ukraine in Ukrainian?
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- Ukraine Border Station
This building says the same as the previous sign.
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- Guard Dogs
One of these popped in to our cabin and took a quick sniff around.
The URL of this post is http://idogenealogy.com/blog/2012/12/04/poland-to-ukraine/.
All photos and content Copyright 2012 by Banai Lynn Feldstein.
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