Surprised to see that there isn't many new comments here about the things happening right now in Ukraine.

Thanks so much for your vlog Alina! Always a pleasure to watch! Slava Ukraini!

Thank you Alina to this very clear message about Ukraine, good job.

Thanks. Good video. I have visited Ukraine 3 times (2015, 2018, 2019) and really enjoyed it. Never felt unsafe at any time. People very friendly and helpful. Easy and cheapy to travel about. Visited various cities, including Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odessa as well as villages and Carpathian mountains. Quite a difference between city and village (as you would expect!) but also between west and east. Lviv much more western influence and architecture and Kyiv too to a lesser extent. Also Ukrainian language used more in the West, mainly Russian further east and south. Would really recommend a visit to Ukraine if you enjoy travel and seeing different cultures. 🙂

I’ve watched your travel vlogs going from Bucharest to Kiev. I think that your channel has hugely improved in quality since then. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us! I’ve enjoyed the round ups of groceries purchased in each country, hee hee!

I’m Australian dating a Ukrainian man and I actually like the old fashion ways of gender roles, he opens the door for me, buys me flowers, insists to always pay and does things like that, where western feminist may find offensive, but I think it’s a nice change to be treated like a princess. I would love to visit Ukraine someday

This is a really interesting video!! usually when speaking about safety tips people condense it down souly to hostel stays, public transportation, pickpocketing etc. I very much appreciate the time and effort you put into also addressing other concerns about the safety risks to marginalized groups. Спасибо.

Thank you very much Alina for taking the time to make this video and for your honesty on those sensitive topics. I would love to visit Ukraine during my europe tour and you make your country looks very attractive! ♡

Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦. I love my country and hope to return there any time soon. It is amazing what this country have been able to do in only 30 years of independence, harassed constantly by Russia, and still managed to build an open international economy and promote higher education to international standards, it is still a lot to do, like everywhere, and there is a lot of poverty too, like everywhere. But even when it's hard aknowledge it from inside, if you look at the history, very rarely, do new independent countries in war, have been able to secure good life condition for their population and manage to have high standards new cultural expressions, such as music, films, literature, arts. I'm only proud of my roots.

I have been to Kyiv, Poltava, Kryvyi Rih and some smaller villages. The Ukrainian people to me define hope. I have been to 9 different nations and Ukraine always stands out front as probable the best place i have been and that's because of the people.

Awesome pointers on risks and benefits in visiting Kiev 🇺🇦 Ukraine. Thank you for sharing. Ochen Karosho! 😀 -Greeting s from California.

I visited kiev twice as a tourist and found it to be very safe. People in general, are friendly. Things are cheap, dollar goes a long way. Excellent variety of food. There is a lot to see. Before my first trip to Kiev, I heard about the war but once there, I did not see any sign of it. It felt as safe as any other European city. I am hoping to make a few more trips to do some traveling inside Ukraine and visit Lviv and Odessa.

I plan to visit Ukraine one day. Hopefully after the coronavirus. Such a beautiful place. Belarus too

I didn’t have any problems, being asian American in Ukraine. The only issue I had was taxis taking advantage of me, otherwise no issues! Also I stayed at the hotel right in independence Square. Fantastic views, but it is an old school hotel with an iron bath tub and the toiletries came in squeeze packets!

did not age well

I visited Kyiv in 2012 before the war. My grandparents left Kyiv for Canada in 1910. My mother was born in Canada in 1924 and she was the 13th of 14 children. I speak only English. Canada is freezing cold in winter.

I have lived in Ukraine in Dnipro and Slovyansk for more than a year. I have extensively travelled in Ukraine and I never had a problem. People are very nice, friendly and cooperative. I am in love with it. Will visit it sometime again in future.

I am planning to go to Kiev in June for vacation and you have really helped me to see what it will be like there. I'm really looking forward to going more now than I was two months ago. Thank you so much and keep us all informed.

After watching this video and talking to people that I know from Russia and Georgia, I’ve realized that Eastern Europeans are very similar to Latin Americans, because we tend to be very traditional and similar, specially on those topics that you portrayed them as negative ironically we see them as positive. It’s good to see that there are people with good values around the world, you called it ignorance, we call it decency. And to conclude I can say that I have more respect for Ukrainians and Eastern Europeans in general after watching this and definitely visiting those countries is on my list. Good video Alina!

Why do you think we don't have own language?

Planning to visit next year. this is really helpful. Great content Alina. You just earned a subscriber.

I'd like to visit Ukraine and I was completely blown away by your honesty, especially when you talked about feminism and lgbt. Thank you .

Visited Kyiv in 2017 and again in 2018. Haven’t been back because of my wife’s immigration process here to the USA and when she finally received her Green Card, Covid 19 arrived. She has since been back two times in early 2020 and early 2021. Hope to return to Kyiv someday soon, it’s absolutely my favorite city in the world, very beautiful, very cultured and the Old World feeling I get there in a city 1000 years old.

This video is just in time, because I’m traveling to Ukraine in March, for the first time in 13 years! I was concerned about safety and feel much better after this video. ❤️

Your travel videos are awesome! I’ve been to Kiev and I think your views here are pretty much right on. I’d also say I never really felt unsafe in Kiev but people will ask for money from you on the street sometimes. I think that is pretty common in most major cities everywhere.

Very helpful video honestly! Btw your editing skills are awesome, last video was awesome as well! 👍👍

Feminism has more to do with driving a wedge between men and women and very little to do with protecting women.

Hi Alina , I very much would like to visit Kiev. Been to Kharkiv Ukraine over 2 times now. My wife is Ukrainian , and said Kiev is a great place to visit. So we hoping maybe next year we will visit. With our 3 yr old daughter. Thanks for your video blog. 🙂

my Pakistani coworker was rejected (clearly face control related / racist) several places when we visited Kiev and wanted to experience the local nightlife, mainly at discos and clubs (mainly at the Arena center complex). i was very surprised about this, especially because we where all well dressed and he was among us , 3 westeners .

Kyiv much si safer than London. And with comparison to Detroit, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Oakland it is heaven. Like everywhere just don't be drunk in bad areas, in tight skirt around midnight.

Thank you Alina for the information! I’m surely going to visit Ukraine

I was in Kiev for 2 weeks in 2017, After a Ukraine friend of mine warned me not to go to the rough neighborhoods due to maybe racism, I went to 4 area dress in a black suit with gold watch and flashing a video camera looking for trouble. To the contrary, even all the thugs was just 20-30 yr old kids, down to earth, and helpful. I was at ease but my personal translator was about to piss in her dress. They ALL thought I was lost so they took me back to my hotel. I went to Lviv and it was the same. Be your natural self, don't look down on others, have fun, and don't make arrogant.

thank you for the very informative vid, Ms.Alina, and very reassuring as well

Bless Ukraine... Can't wait to visit in August

You are sincerely and polite 👍well done Alina, Cheers and stay safe🙏🥰

I have been all over the Ukraine and I have had no problems. In fact I have found the people of the Ukraine to be extremely helpful.

Beautifull video clips and so much usefull infos and you look very pretty in your clip.🌹

Great video!........options of places to stay was good to hear. Travel anywhere in the world, you have to always be aware of your surroundings.

Hi Alina your videos are very interesting and helpful , I came across them just a few days ago and they're really nice and well done ! I'm from Rome, Italy and I'm currently dating a woman form Lvev who lives and work here. So when the pandemic and all that stuff related to it settles down and hopefully we can get to get back to our normal lives and start traveling again I'd like to take a trip to Ukraine !! I've already been to a lot of countries in Easten Europe, Moldova too, so it would be great to visit ! Keep up the good job !! You're doing great !!

Amazing video it inspires me to go visit there. So much love Ukraine!

Nice info i am indonesia 🇲🇨

Your blog is super educational and never seen any one with such precise details and art of conversation In case you are in San Francisco please drop a line.

I love my home country. It's safe as long as you don't flash your money or act too touristy. There are people who follow tourists and try to steal thier money, so just he humble and conservative and you'll be ok

Cancelled my trip because of corona virus. Feels bad man :(

Hopefully they keep to their traditional values.

My first visit to Ukraine was January 2000. Have been back nine times since. Kiev is one of most beautiful cities in the world, with so many interesting sights to see. There are so many interesting things to do and for Americans, prices are very reasonable. I have been skiing and ATVing in Carpathian Mountains, visited Liviv which has more western architecture. Rode horses, visited shooting ranges, and saunas in Poltava. Kharkov is not so beautiful a city as Kiev but to me is more laid back and comfortable city. While there go to Gorky Park and have corn on cob, visit Haunted House (highly recommended), ride ferris wheel. Restaurants everywhere have great food and beer is very good and... cheap. It is real shame that people listen to bad news and freak out. War in SE Ukraine is tragic, but rest of country is very safe and going there is helping the economy. I have done trips out in countryside, bought eggs, kvas, potatoes, etc. (from farm folk) at tourist sites, taken such food back to apartment (in Kiev on that occasion) and eaten like back home (only better). Like anywhere, be careful. Check restaurant receipt before paying. I have had taxi drivers return money to me because I mistakenly gave them too much, but this is not likely to happen often. One complaint I (might) have is that many Ukrainians think a (American) foreigner is 'helpless' in their environment. Yes, some may take advantage and others will want to help you to death. I have traveled in Europe since I was in Germany (in US Army) in 1970s so I am not looking for (especially) Eastern European countries to be like North America. Attitude when traveling makes big difference in result (enjoyment of experience?). Visit Ukraine, before it becomes like Amsterdam or Paris, or, you know. I am type of person who says nothing when I hear American English spoken in such places, and it hasn't happened often. That is another reason I like it.

Having been to Ukraine more than a few times and having visited Kyiv, Odessa, Sumy, and Lebeden I have had the opportunity to see both the large city and the village. I have family and friends there. I agree Ukraine is quite safe if one just pays attention and does not do stupid things. The people are quite friendly though it may take a minute for them to warm up as the lessons from Soviet days still linger. If they recognize that you are an American (which they will because we stick out, hair, dress, the way we walk, clothes etc.) People will look for an opportunity to speak with you so they can practice their English. In the villages you may be the first foreigner to have been there so people will be curious. As far as values go, yes they are more traditional. Men are to be the providers and protectors of the family the rock that guards. Ukraianian women see marriage a little more as a partnership though guys ar still expected to man up. When comes to feminism they see Western feminists as pretty stupid. These women have had to be strong through things Western women cannot even imagine so being strong is in their genetic make up. Just and FYI guys Ukrainian girls can be quite blunt about their expectations and their view on life. Yes Ukrainian views are more conservative in many ways rather than the western everything is good to go mentality. All I can say further is go see more than Kyiv. Go to a secondary city go to a village, travel the way the locals do, eat in the places they do, visit an arunock (farmers market, every town has one) experience this great country as more than a tourist. You will be glad you did.

I don't care about war! You always find the way the beauty of cultures and kinda stuff. Enjoy your vlogs! Keep sharing!😍

I truly wish to go to Ukraine. It is the number one item on my bucket list. I would like to get more information on the Rosetta Stone bargain you spoke to in another video.

I'm more focused on the food, Awesome video as usual and spot on with your observations.

I traveled to Luhansk twice in 2008, Donetsk in 2009, and spent time in Kiev all three times. I always felt safe and enjoyed the different culture. Looking back going to Luhansk by myself was one of the "gutsiest" things I have ever done but it all worked out. One helpful hint for people going to Ukraine (at least the Russian speaking parts) is to learn the sounds of the Russian letters. I discovered that many words are the same as English words but spelled in Cyrillic. I really loved Ukraine especially Kiev. We say "Swan Lake" at the Opera House and the chestnut trees were in bloom along the streets. Lucky you!

Very interesting , i have no desire to visit the usual western tourist places as the world has gone mad lately .....Eastern Europe sounds very nice to me .

This didn’t age well

I have been to Kyiv and must say it was an incredible experience. So much to see, the culture and nightlife as well and it is really really inexpensive.......just gauge your currency conversion because once you convert to hryvnia they are not buying your dollars back when you leave!

Thank you for the wonderful video. How is Zaporozhye city in Ukraine?

I was there for 6 years and am black. I stayed in Ternopol a very small town 90% of the time. And I was called ni**a just twice in 6 years just to give an idea(i expected worse). 95% of my experience was positive. Actually thinking about retiring there when am 50. That's how much I love the country

I have traveled to Kiev about 6 times ,its been about 14 years since I was in Kiev but hope to come back in the next few years Alina your a true Beauty !

I live in Ukraine for about 7 years and I am black. I wouldn't say most people are racist, but most of them will definitely star at you all the time and everywhere as soon as you get out of your house, people don't really feel comfortable when you don't stop staring at them. I understand if you are from a village or it's your first time to see a black man. I have a family here but I just can't live like this for the rest of my life. You can come to visit Ukraine for a short period of time but not to live. When it comes to discrimination, oh my God it's everywhere in Ukraine (banks, police, people). I usually stay home:) I think maybe they will change, but old people don't educate their children properly, a 5-year kid called me N**** in front of other kids and everybody laughing?? WTF!!

So basically when a woman dresses up, yes, she will attract more men her way. It’s completely natural. Nothing wrong with it whatsoever.

I love your views and thinking... wonderful.. I've felt similar all my life

You seem awesome to me. I love the tactful but clear way you put so many things.

I went in 2016...it was a great experience!

I'm so confused about Ukraine being unsafe...when I went to Ukraine 3 years ago, Ukrainian people were SO nice and pleasant to be around, I never felt danger nor discriminated against at all. I absolutely love this country , its people, and the foods. I just hope western influence and feminism do not ruin this country...

Alina, I happened upon your You Tube channel by chance. Very informative and to the point. I really appreciated your candor regarding what one might expect while visiting Ukraine, particularly regarding racism. Safe travels and well wishes to you always!

Oh I fell in love with Ukraine back in 2012 and it was all by accident and I found it to be quite safe and as I said last time I also ended up in Kharkiv , Odessa and Simferopol when it was a little rough. Regardless the people where beautiful and I have been back now 5 times and still exploring and back next May. Great Vid Alina

Thanks for the information. I certainly love to visit Kiev with my wife next year. We love to see the place where the great Vladimir Horowitz lived and to support Valentina Lisitsa on her return to play in Toronto.

Excellent video well done 👏✔

Thank you so much for your honesty. Its much appreciated......

I said it before, I shall visit Ukraine. You are informative ; actually your previous video was also informative. Thanks!

Wow beautiful place hopefully in can visit there someday.

Thanks Alina for details given

I have friends in Ukraine. I don't think they have outdated or racist values. I think you need to look deeper, also what evidence specifically do you have of racism there? Other than seeing light-coloured skintones and wishing you didn't? Europeans are white. That's not racist, this is where the world minority of white people predominantly come from. If you can bring up a specific example of a race-based attack you saw there then I'd agree that's bad. But I doubt that's the case. Also it seems you have a problem with non-feminists, and again, Eastern Europe is where you will find most of them, but feminism is a minority-held viewpoint in the world, and with good reason. If you look at all forms of it it does a lot of harm to people on a daily basis. In Eastern europe they are doing well to keep Traditional values going.

I was in Kiev about a little over 2 years ago, and it was great. I would live there in a heartbeat but it gets soooo darn cold. Everything was way cheap. Maybe I'll stay a few months in the summer into fall seasons.

Thanks for the nice video. I visited Kiev and Liev in 2016. I really knew very little about the country. We drove to the Polish/Ukraine border and parked our rental car in a parking lot. We walked across the border and took a cab into Liev, where we hung out for a while. We took the train to Kiev that same day. I found Kiev to be a beautiful city. Very clean and very safe. Loved their subway system! I would certainly recommend Americans to visit Ukraine.

lol I would surely get lost in your subway. I'm going to Kiev soon so watching your videos are a great help to me. You're a wonderful person and guide.

Nice video. Pretty accurate in my experience just that there has been an increase in crime targeting foreigners in the center of Odessa this summer unfortunately. Other than that it's safer than Western Europe in general. Safe travels. :)

You gave lot of information about country, Thank you !

Thank you! Our son ever studied in Aviation school in Kiev. We wanna visit Ukraine some time. Thanks a lot for your information!

Great video Alina thank you! I have never had an issue in Ukraine in my 14 times there, I feel very safe and comfortable there. Thank you for touching on the war in the Luhansk Donetsk regions, it seems no one real cares anymore because you never hear about what’s going on there and the life of the people that live there go through. People still die there everyday yet you only hear about this through people who live there. This war could of been over a long time ago, but it’s a political game and the people are the ones that suffer!

Keep up the good work! Usefull informations.

Thank you for commenting on racism. It really helps.

Nice Alina. I really enjoy watching your video. I learn English and for listening practice watch a lot of video in English. I admire ability western people to feel free. We (postsoviet people, elder age) are frequently highly закомплексованные. Be happy, girl.

You are so close to that 10.000 goal you set!

I have never been to Ukraine, but of all the states in the general area, Ukraine is the one place I would die to visit. Of course, I would go to check out the most beautifully outnumbered female presence in Ukraine, possibly find someone to live the rest of my life with, but to me, this is the diamond set in the middle of a bunch of quartz crystals. I actually wouldnt mind visiting all the countries and states around that area, even Russia, but for some reason, my heart is in Ukraine. I would love to retire there and I am searching the globe for the right place to go, but I want to make sure my retirement will allow me to go there. If so, thats where I will be, but it could be Thailand, Panama, or The Philippines. It also seems to me that they are really trying to make it easier and better for travelers. I might have to take a trip at least to see how it is myself. I'm afraid though, that I might not return on purpose lol.

Thank you so much Alina Mcleod.

Very good video. The only two point that upset is calling things phonetically russian way and speaking russian, not ukrainian.

I really want to visit Kyiv but the whole me being gay factor still has me nervous.

Привет, Алина! Уже не первый раз замечаю, что для тебя остро стоят вопросы феминизма и ЛГБТ-сообщества. С чем это связанно? Я попробую выразить личное субъективное мнение об этих двух пунктах так, чтобы было предельно честно, но без обвинения. Вероятно, это прояснит ситуацию в РФ и Украине, и вообще в более консервативных сообществах. Всякое общество имеет некие пределы того, что называть "хорошо" и "плохо". И эти пределы лежат не в области юриспруденции, а в общем мироощущении и внутренних механизмах принятия решений. Наше мироощущение привито нам с детства средой и родителями. Также здесь влияет идеология, культура и религия. Большинство русских (как и украинцев, белорусов, казахов и пр.) выходцы из СССР в первом или втором поколении. Идеология СССР была крайне консервативна. Не смотря на атеистичность советского общества, многие законы морали имели в фундаменте религиозные установки (семья, брак, добрососедство, и пр.). И если западное общество издревле (с момента падения Римской Империи) строило образование на Римском праве (буквально - франкским школьникам в 5-8 веках монахи в монастырях преподавали речи римских консулов и адвокатов), то мусульмане и православные с первых лет образования имели перед собой тексты религиозные! Излишний "юридизм" западного общества в отрыве от религиозной мысли привел к тому, что люди в моральных вопросах обращаются к закону гражданскому, а не к религиозному! Для большинства западных людей и феминизм, и движение ЛГБТ - это стремление раздвинуть рамки юридические! А для нас, восточных людей, это граничит с религиозной войной. Сами итоги феминизма для женщин запада - это уравнение в правах, переходящее в диктатуру феминного движения. Сами итоги ЛГБТ-движения также опрокинули равенство прав и ведут западное общество к диктатуре.

I was there last year it's safe I stayed near Olympic stadium in a apartment

I will be in Odessa Ukraine in Kyiv in the month of April I am from the USA I have a very good friend lives in Odessa we have been talking for over two years and I am coming there to meet her family

in norway we had a lot of media coverage for the Ukraine situation. because norway was invaded by russia in the past, so people are still afraid of it

In regards to sexism, there are still countries in Western Europe where women get dressed up just to grocery shop. Your videos are extremely helpful for travelers, be it novice or experienced. Keep up the good work.

Thanx Alina your vids are very informative. I would like to know a little more about the actual crime rate in Ukraine. Honestly and compare with the United States.

This video is very informative, and so is the comment section. I have a job offer in Kiev but as a member of lgbt and an asian, it worries me moving there. I noticed mostly the ones who commented are Caucasian and or Europeans, so I'm wondering if there are people like me that feels safe and secure in Kiev.

You need to stop using Western principles to guide your outlook of Eastern Europe. Ukraine has different history and culture in comparison to the West. Traditional Orthodox values and norms are considered a way of life for most Ukrainians. Therefore you can't just impose Western principles upon them.

I found your channel is very interesting! How long have you been living in Canada?

i know this country is good. culture and traditions are wonderful. in this country you can see the both aspects value and influence of Asia and Europe. my blessings are with Ukrain. love Ukrain.

I do miss Ukraine and everyday I spent there. The first time I was there was in 2010 and I miss each days I spent there. Specially in Dnipro and Odessa.

You’re speaking in russian because you’re in Kiev? I thought that they speak ukranian

Thank you for not sugar coating the realities certain people may face in Ukraine! I have a really close friend who is Indian (born in the US), she went to Kiev in 2014 on a trip with some of our other friends & had to leave early because of how traumatized she was after encountering a violent group of racists after they went out one night, they singled her out from the group since she was the only non-white person. It was just awful to hear about