Honest thoughts on Ukraine after my first visit

First time in Ukraine and I tried to approach it with open eyes rather than preconceptions. Odesa was the base and a good one — central, manageable, and with strong food options including the best chicken Kyiv I've ever had. Lviv Old Town was the big set piece and fully justified the trip.

Two things worth knowing: language barrier outside tourist areas, which is more of a factor than some guides acknowledge. But also: warm hospitality, which I'd never read about and turned out to be a genuine pleasure. Solid first impression — I'd return.