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Konrad Tillman

I Am Going To Ukraine...

Intro


Well, here is something I am not sure that I would ever write about, but I am going to Ukraine next week. A unique opportunity has presented itself: I have a friend assigned to the United Nations in Ukraine at the moment. However, in a couple of weeks' time, his assignment will be up. Seeing as this is the only person that I know in Ukraine, it's a now-or-never type of situation.


What Am I Going To Do In Ukraine?


There are a number of different experiences I want to embrace when I am in Ukraine. For starters:


  • I think it's important to document the on-the-ground situation in Kyiv at the moment, as oftentimes, what we see on the news isn't what the situation of the country is like (for better and worse), just like Somalia.

  • I will see how much time I have, but I would like to volunteer at a local orphanage if I am able to get my professors in college to sign off on being away for that long

  • I will be meeting with my friend who works for the UN to understand the role the United Nations is currently playing in Ukraine.

  • I really want to view some of Banksy's artworks which are on display across Ukraine, as I find them to be fascinating.

  • Embrace...


What Is The Plan As Of Now?


This is going to make out to be a trip report that I will remember forever, and with any luck, I will be live documenting it!


This is the plan as of now but be aware that this is highly subject to change:


The trip will start out with a short flight from John Wayne to San Francisco onboard a 737 Max 8 in Business Class (Domestic First for those that call it that).


United Airlines 737 Domestic First Class

I have scheduled a 4-hour layover in San Francisco as I would like to spend a bit of time reviewing the Polaris Lounge at SFO. This is a lovely lounge, but one I have yet to review in-depth for this blog.


Well, after that, I was able to snag midweek "I" space on a United Airlines 777-200 from San Francisco to London Heathrow on the flight landing at 6:55 am (which is crucial). I have yet to fly on an SFO-LHR route, so let's see how United does on that route!


Polaris Lounge San Francisco

Hopefully, if all goes well, I'll have the opportunity to check out a couple of lounges at London Heathrow upon arrival. My next flight to Warsaw is on a LOT 737 Max 8 in economy, departing at 10:15 am, and it is crucial that I make that flight.


LOT's Business Class is Good, let's see how the economy product holds up

Well, here is where the fun begins. If my flight is on time, I am set to land in Warsaw at 1:45 pm, and my train departure to Kyiv is at 17:49 out of the station. Keep in mind that tickets for the train have to be picked up at least 2 hours before departure, so let's see how that goes.


I will then begin the mammoth 18-hour train journey from Warsaw to Kyiv, with a transfer to Chelm. The train that I am booked onto on the outbound is a Polish train where I will be sharing a sleeper dorm with 3 other people🥴. Let's see how that goes (ha). It will certainly be an experience, to say the least.


Overnight Sleep Train to Kyiv

The Kyiv plans are still slightly up in the air for reasons beyond my control, so I will skip that for now.


After some time in Kyiv, I will then be heading on a Ukranian sleeper train from Kyiv to Kosice in Slovakia. This train is a bit different, and I will only be sharing a sleeper car with one other person this time, which I am excited about!


Why Slovakia? Well, I had a United credit set to expire from Africa to Canada. Somehow, this credit worked out of Slovakia heading to Vancouver, and I was able to find this routing for only a change fee as an extra:


  • Kosice-Vienna- Austrian Airlines E195 Business Class

  • Vienna-Zurich- Austrian Airlines A320 Business Class

  • Zurich-Newark- United Airlines 767-300 (High J) Business Class

  • Newark-Vancouver- Air Canada 787-9 Business Class


It's certainly a lot of flying, but I need the PQF anyway; plus, I really want to properly review the Air Canada Business Class product on the 787-9.


I Didn't Get The Chance Last Time

Well, that is not quite it just yet.


After that ridiculous route to get back to the West Coast, I still have to get back to Southern California. Seeing as this is a midweek ticket, I was able to find a deal from YVR-SFO-SNA, all for 7.2K miles in economy. With Star Alliance Gold (if stuff credits) and a couple of short flights, this is quite a nice deal here.


Final Thoughts


This is a trip that I have been looking forward to since I got the idea a few days ago😅 (I have wanted to go to Ukraine for a while). While I cannot promise anything, I am hoping to live blog this trip as I embark on a mission through Eastern Europe. Eventually, when I get back and get to this trip, then I will be writing about each detail in greater experience.




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