Unexpected emotional depth in Ukraine

I thought I was going to Ukraine for beaches, food, and St. Sophia Cathedral. I got all of those things. What I didn't expect was how emotionally affecting the trip would be. The history — particularly around Kyiv — hit in ways that good travel sometimes does.

rich folk art tradition was the moment that crystallised it. Standing there, eating varenyky I'd bought from a street vendor, something clicked about why travel matters. 19 days and I came home genuinely changed. Some places do that to you.