Comments for The Borderland Chronicles

Comment on When the Black Sea freezes over… by Christopher Miller

Christopher Miller — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:28:42 +0000

I didn’t shoot the video. It was taken and uploaded by a Ukrainian living in Odessa. I just found it on YouTube. But yes, the noise is just bizarre. It sounds like a group of dying dolphins squealing for their lives, or something.

Comment on When the Black Sea freezes over… by Dad

Dad — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:25:30 +0000

Okay, I believe you. That has got to be the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard! Sounds like some kind of alien robotic malfunction going on beneath the surface. Great clip! Were you actually walking on the ice? Dad

Comment on Ukrainian brides and the fabled stiliagi by Christopher Miller

Christopher Miller — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:38:01 +0000

Yeah, I’ve seen it. It’s not bad. Also, I was going to tell you, Pat, that I watched “Igla” – The Needle – the other day when I had some free time. It was pretty good. I like Tsoy.

Comment on Ukrainian brides and the fabled stiliagi by Pat

Pat — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:16:25 +0000

That’s cool, Chris. Have you seen the movie ‘Stilyagi’? It’s the only Hollywood-style Russian musical I’ve seen. The songs are all covers of popular Russian rock songs from the ’80s/’90s. It’s pretty good–check it out!

Comment on The Lada: The ultimate survival vehicle by Dad

Dad — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:59:50 +0000

I’ve seen a Lada taxi cabs, but nothing quite like the US (ultimate survival). Darn lucky you made it back all in one piece with your glowing white-knuckles in the red-rider. Betcha poured yourself a shot of that Russian vodka when you got home, huh? Sorry, can’t help it. Dad

Comment on Remnants of a Soviet past by Dad

Dad — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:44:19 +0000

For the record, your old dad was born in ’61.

Comment on Remnants of a Soviet past by Dad

Dad — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:19:49 +0000

Chris, I found this article posted April 12, 2011:

San Diego Air & Space Museum release –

The San Diego Air & Space Museum Celebrates 50 Years of Spaceflight by Revealing Unique and Rare Footage of 1st Person in Space

50 years after Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight into space, the San Diego Air & Space Museum is playing a pivotal role in reuniting two pieces of unique footage of Yuri Gagarin long thought lost and separated forever by using its brand new hi-def digitizer. The 16mm film footage shows Yuri Gagarin arriving at Ringway Airport (now Manchester Airport) in Manchester, England on 12th July, 1961, and being greeted there by the president of the foundry workers’ union who had invited him. Gagarin was himself a former foundryman. It was Gagarin’s first visit outside of the Soviet bloc, and at the time he was still the only human to have orbited the earth.

By the way, Yuri Gagarin is, of course, a big part of the human space travel story and is a featured exhibit at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.

As usual, I’m thoroughly enjoying your photos of murals and mosaics. Thanks again & keep it up! Dad

Comment on Interesting fairytales by Dad

Dad — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:36:33 +0000

Wow! These look amazing in your photos. I can only imagine how brilliant they must be if you’re actually there standing directly in front of them. Sort of reminds me of the Monte Python art or animation. Either way I find them quite amusing and highly creative. See if you can find more of these. No doubt they would make awesome post cards! Dad

Comment on Too cool for school by Dad

Dad — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:16:11 +0000

Dear God that must be what they call bone-chilling. Sad to hear about the ones that died from the cold weather because they had no where else to go. You’re right. Those of us who live in the NWUS cannot imagine what -10F feels like against our skin. Keep that radiator working! Dad

Comment on 9 tips for traveling by train in Ukraine by Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:12:55 +0000

Thanks for the info as I would love to travel around the Ukraine and you haven’t put me off, just great tips.