Summary

The web content provides a visual and narrative account of daily life in Western Ukraine between May and October 2023, through a collection of personal photographs accompanied by captions and a contextualizing narrative.

Abstract

The article "Living in Western Ukraine (2023) in Photos" offers a glimpse into the personal experiences of an American living in Berehove and Mukachevo, with Julia, during the months of May to October 2023. It showcases a variety of scenes, from new construction and military presence to the beauty of nature and local culture, as captured by various cameras including the Leica CL and Ricoh GRiii. The author emphasizes that the images are not intended to provoke political or war-related discussions, but rather to share the reality of life in the region, which includes both the mundane and the extraordinary. The narrative touches on the impact of the distant war on administrative and logistical aspects of life, the discovery of a WW2 anti-tank mine during river cleaning, and the personal adjustments to living with the realities of conflict, such as air raid alerts and the presence of soldiers. The couple has since relocated to Hungary but continues to visit Ukraine regularly.

Opinions

The author distances themselves from potential political interpretations of their photographs, asserting that the images are simply personal captures without any agenda.
There is a noted contrast between the distant war's danger and the more immediate administrative challenges it imposes on daily life.
The author acknowledges a level of detachment from the realities of the conflict due to their status as an American citizen, contrasting this with the deeper impact on Julia, a local resident.
The war has led to a 'new normal' where air raid alerts and uniformed soldiers in public spaces are commonplace.
The photography captures a wide range of subject matter, from the serene beauty of the Carpathian mountains to the everyday life in local towns, reflecting the diverse experiences of living in the region.
The author expresses a preference for certain cameras over others, indicating a personal affinity for the Ricoh GRiii and Leica CL, among others listed.
The presence of military imagery is acknowledged as part of their daily life, alongside idyllic scenes such as Julia's indoor garden and children's games.
The narrative conveys a sense of respect and affection for the local culture and landscapes, as well as concern for the well-being of Julia's family and their pet 'Nudli'.
The discovery of a WW2 anti-tank mine during a municipal cleaning project underscores the enduring impact of past conflicts on the region's present.

Living in Western Ukraine (2023) in Photos

For the dates of May-October

New construction (unknown reason) with local cars in the downtown. | Berehove

Note: These photos are not intended to spark any political or war related debate. I’ve discovered that a small but vocal minority of readers will seek to assume my viewpoints or opinions about such things, based entirely on what I choose or do not choose to photograph. I think there is a rather obvious error in that logic, but alas, the disclaimer stands.

This article covering the months in 2023 will serve as “part 2” whereas the previous article covering the months in 2022 will serve as “part 1” (read it here).

Living in Western Ukraine (2022) in Photos

For the dates of June-November

foxfotoco.medium.com

They are my simply personal captures from our daily life.

Sometimes that involves military related images, sometimes it involves pretty flowers and dogs in the yard. It varries.

The war was a distant danger, many hundreds of kilometers away, but the more practical, administrative, and logistical challenges due to the war…those were constantly present. I got used to the air raid alerts and seeing uniformed soldiers in public places, I think my reality of being a locally “detached” American citizen made those realities a bit less scary. I won’t speak directly for Julia, but having these realities in her hometown, I know they have impacted her much more deeply than I probably will ever understand.

We no longer live full time in Ukraine, and have since re-settled to Hungary for the foreseeable future. We do return on a regular basis, Julia more than I, to visit her family for short visits.

Cameras Used:

Leica CL (common)
Ricoh GRiii (most used)
Epson RD1s (rarely)
Leica M246 Monochrom (rarely)
Pentax SP Film (sometimes)

Soccer and sports training field. | Berehove

The main river/canal being cleaned of decades of debris. A few days after this photo was taken the excavating crew discovered a ww2 (not current war) anti-tank mine burried in the riverbed. | Berehove

A tree in the Carpathian mountains near an English styled Castle/Manor | Mukachevo

Julia trying out her mom’s film camera for the first time.

The backside of the local protestant church at sunset. | Berehove

An English styled castle/manor near the Carpathians. | Mukachevo

Julia with her mom’s camera in her backyard. Mukachevo

Children’s hopping game colored stones. | Mukachevo

Painting of a famous regional actress on the local theater. | Berehove

A view from one of the apartment buildings in Berehove. | Berehove

Julia’s cat “Nudli” (means noodle) in his favorite sleeping spot, the grass wheelbarrow.

Different corners of the Saturday morning market during after hours (we arrived late). | Berehove

The downtown square, facing west I believe. There’s a much prettier view directly behind me. Oops. | Berehove

The downtown area of Mukachevo | Mukachevo

One of the main small vendor streets in Mukachevo being during seasonal repairs (replacing the cobblestone and dirt under it). | Mukachevo

Our favorite cafe in Berehove | Berehove

I still have no idea what this little car is. It appears to be a combination of some other cars, and then somehow made 3/4 the scale. | Mukachevo

Hiking in the lowlands of the Carpathians | Khust

Hiking in the highlands of the Carpathians | Khust

Bear sanctuary in the Carpathians. All of the 20+ European brown bears have been rescued from abuse or otherwise re-homed here for quality of life concerns. Many are disabled or have behavioral issues/traumas, but are having a well managed and better life now. | Khust

Julia’s dog “Malna” (means Raspberry) in her backyard.

A freight train heading east. | Berehove

An old Russian ( I think ) car. | Berehove

Local paintings and art, much of it of the surrounding area, on display one weekend. | Berehove