It is so painful to see what is happening in Ukraine, I get news from people and sometimes I read the news as well. I used to check the news regularly before, in fact, I used to keep myself updated every moment but now only once a day do I go and check everything. Some news is overwhelming and depressing. People will argue and will say different things, but I was one of the witnesses who saw and experienced what exactly had happened in my city Kharkiv. My friend is still in Kharkiv, staying there with her two dogs. I honestly admire her bravery, she is so brave and she decided to stay there forever no matter what happen. I call her regularly, and ask her what is her condition, if she is okay or not because she lives near the Old city Center which is also a target and danger point.
I don't believe what the news says, I believe the words of my friend and landlord. My friend is still staying in the danger zone but my landlord had left a few days ago after losing one of his houses. Before leaving Kharkiv, he told me that prepare yourself for the bad news, anything can happen now but brace yourself because we will meet soon. He had faith but now he lost it and decided to leave his 60 years old building which he got from his parents. That's really unfortunate and heartbreaking. There are a lot of stories now but I am not so sure whether anybody is ready to hear them or not.
People are devastated, crying, and losing each other. Kids are being separated from their parents, people are dying. How do I feel witnessing all these? I don't know. Kharkiv is under heavy shelling and every moment explosions and shelling are happening. Missile strikes are happening every day, and residential buildings and hospitals are getting pierced by those but the city, Kharkiv, is still fighting. Heavy shelling is happening in the center of Kharkiv and yesterday 18 people got killed. I am sure more than 18 people got killed because the shelling hit an apartment building.
My volunteer friend said the evacuation process is slow because it's a hard time. She told me to pray for her and for the people. The fate of Kharkiv city will be decided soon.
I have a lot of stories to tell you, I am holding many things and emotions inside me. I want to let people know the devastating moment and emotions when a person loses everything because of War. I don't feel proud of being a refugee, I am not because I never wanted this life status. I know nobody will understand what I was going through or what I am going through. But I will feel relief that I shared my story.
It took a lot of courage to write today's post; because the shape of my mind was not okay. That journey, that day, and that time are hard to describe and I still can't believe that I crossed 1200 miles to reach Poland.
If you have missed my previous post, you can check here...
March 6, 2022:
After reaching Lviv, I was feeling kinda hopeful but when I started looking for transport to go to the Poland border, I was disappointed. I was not expecting much but I was expecting that somehow I will get transport. First I checked the train which was supposed to go to a few borders. Also, I heard that some trains go to Warsaw or Bucharest (Romania), so I was keeping my options open. I was not so sure whether I am gonna go to Poland or Romania, all I was thinking to go to any border timely.
I had become hopeless easily when I saw the large queue in front of the platform. People were waiting there for over 6 hours. It was almost impossible to find a place for me and Gigi because I already had 24 hours train journey from Kharkiv to Lviv. Also, I had already got an experience with an evacuation train and I was also afraid and in doubt about whether they are gonna let me in with my dog or not. So, the option of travelling by train got cancelled and after sometime, I had decided to look for bus to Poland. I was hungry and Gigi was hungry too. I was looking for a bottle of water but nobody was willing to give me a glass of water.
Volunteers were not around at that moment, already 4 hours gone. The sun had started rising. Finally, I have found a volunteer nearby and I started seeing a hope of light in front of me. I asked volunteer for help and first he gave me a bottle of water and told me to sit down for sometimes. Then when I told him that I am looking for a bus to go to border, he said he will try to find a transport for me and for my dog.
Bus hunt had started and all I can it was a race, the race of reaching the border. Finally, after 6 hours, a volunteer had found a bus for me but it was a paid bus. I mean I needed to buy tickets for me and for my dog. I agreed because I didn't have any other options. I also had some cash so it helped me a lot to pay for the ticket.
Well, after entering the bus, people started shouting at Gigi because they were saying why I entered with a dog. The bus driver said I am paying for Gigi too but people were saying that she is going to take a seat for her dog which can be given to a child or someone (basically human). But the driver ignored their words and gave a place for Gigi too. The bus started going to the destination, the driver was having his breakfast. I was so scared that I was not able to think clearly.
On our way, we saw a lot of cars and a long traffic line. Basically, many people had left their car on the street, highway and departed for the border. It was really a different experience...
On the other hand, Gigi was so tired that she fall asleep.
After 35 minutes, driver informed us that we are near the border and we had to leave the bus. I had no idea what was happening there. The driver was really kind, he took money for my seat, he refused to take money for Gigi and before leaving, he told me Goodbye...
We started walking, I thought the border was nearby. Probably will take the highest 30 minutes to reach there but I was wrong. Soon, I realized why people had been saying about large queue near the border and the queue was about 15 km long.
The driver managed to reduce the distance for us but still, 12 km was left. Infront of me, immense crowd was waiting to reach the border. If you see the photo, you will understand what I am trying to write and say. People were trying to push each other. It was a messy situation.
I had no energy for waiting or standing there beside the road but I had no other choice. I was tired, hungry, and thirsty. Seeing my situation, a couple came to me and gave Gigi some food. They also gave me energy drink and said, you have to wait a long time to reach the border Medyka.
Finally, after 8 hours, I reached the immigration. I wish I could explain how was the entire 8 hours, my feet were swollen, my body was in pain and I was so weak that I couldn't even handle my one bag and Gigi properly. I thought I will faint and will not be able to made it but I did...
After crossing immigration, finally, I had entered the Poland border "Medyka"...
To be continued because the story is not finished yet...
You can follow my stories here:
War Story - Was it hell? - Kharkiv, Ukraine
From " Kharkiv, Ukraine " to " Warsaw, Poland " - War Story
From " Kharkiv, Ukraine " to " Warsaw, Poland " - War Story | Part -2 - Lviv
War Story - Present and Past but no Future
War Story - Walked on the street of Warsaw like a Refugee
War Stories - Psychology and My mindset
Help in the Netherlands for Pets from Ukraine- Got Dog Food for my Labrador
War Story - Wednesday Walk in Almere, Netherlands | Veterinary help - Refugee Life
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Priyan...
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.... An architect, a dreamer, and a passionate writer who loves to write about life. I try to present my own perspective and experiences. Please leave your feedback and criticism because it's the only way I can know and reach your mind and thought easily...
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