Ostroh Tour!!
Yesterday night I sent a semi-smug e-mail to my family about how I'm loving all the food here and how I shovel it all down gladly. Naturally, this morning I encountered my first dish that I couldn't stomach. The best way to describe it is 'Meat Jello'. Basically it's chicken entombed in this once clear jelly that has been stained grey by the meat. I think it was the texture that got to me. As I bit into my mouthful salty jelly burst into my entire mouth, which when mixed with cold cold chicken is a leathful combination. But all things considered, it's only one dish so far.
The past 2 weeks has brought me to some interesting corners of Ostroh. Our group has visited a daycare class, almost every Ostroh ruin, and a combined elementary and a high school.
The tour of Ostroh was very interesting to me. We started by visiting an very old synagogue that was in complete ruins. Ostroh once had a thriving Jewish population, but after the German occupation many if not most were killed. As well, I believe many Jewish people left Ukriaine for Israel after the formation of that country. My host father has told me that there is now only 3 Jewish families left in Ostroh. At one time the synagogue was gorgeous and very famous. When it was built the reigning authorities were Catholic and decreed that it could not be higher then any churches in the town. As a result, the synagogue was built very deep in the ground to allow for a high and beautiful chamber inside. From a celebrated synagogue the structure was used as a horse stable and now as a place of refuse. In Ostroh there is also a very famous and historical Jewish cemetary. However, after the Second World War the Soviet authorities removed all the tombstones and turned it into a park. Touring these places was a little surreal and I'm not quite sure what effect they've had on me. I've read that before the Second World War there were not only many Jews, but also Czechs and Poles and I constantly catch myself wondering what sort of place Ostroh would be if those people were still here.
But Ostroh also had many other interesting ruins, as it once was one of the largest cities in Ukraine and was surrounded by a formidable wall and gateway system. In fact one of these gateway is a few houses down from my street (Tatarska) and is called the Tatar gateway.
This is the view from Ostroh of the old Ostroskiy princes residence.
Misha poking his head out.
Misha outside one of strongest parts of the old fortifications. It had to be strong because it was key to the defense of the Prince's residences and the Orthodox church.
The old Orthodox church which still has services. I poked my head to see one of the services and it is quite interesting. The priests had their backs to the people and were chanting. They have done so much work on this church because in the 1900s is was a complete wreck. It serves as a good juxtaposition of the synagogue (I have no pictures it was too dark).
Misha and I lounging oustide the old Tatar gateway. (It was called that because after a failed Tatar invasion some Tatar people were left in Ostroh. They pleaded not to be killed, and the prince granted their request and installed them in this gateway.
Joel and Ira looking up at the old Tatar gateway ruins.
Misha and I chilling on one of the old Royal couches (Man they would totally never let us do this in Canada)
This is one of the old Polish kings. I thought his expression was hilarious
Joel jumping off one of the old defensive wall.
A stray dog and cat sleeping side by side. This dog was literally terrified of me and scampered away and watched me while shivering as I walked by it after I snapped this picture.
This is our neighbour's dog huddling inside his doghouse.
Me at the daycare with one of the kids.
The past 2 weeks has brought me to some interesting corners of Ostroh. Our group has visited a daycare class, almost every Ostroh ruin, and a combined elementary and a high school.
The tour of Ostroh was very interesting to me. We started by visiting an very old synagogue that was in complete ruins. Ostroh once had a thriving Jewish population, but after the German occupation many if not most were killed. As well, I believe many Jewish people left Ukriaine for Israel after the formation of that country. My host father has told me that there is now only 3 Jewish families left in Ostroh. At one time the synagogue was gorgeous and very famous. When it was built the reigning authorities were Catholic and decreed that it could not be higher then any churches in the town. As a result, the synagogue was built very deep in the ground to allow for a high and beautiful chamber inside. From a celebrated synagogue the structure was used as a horse stable and now as a place of refuse. In Ostroh there is also a very famous and historical Jewish cemetary. However, after the Second World War the Soviet authorities removed all the tombstones and turned it into a park. Touring these places was a little surreal and I'm not quite sure what effect they've had on me. I've read that before the Second World War there were not only many Jews, but also Czechs and Poles and I constantly catch myself wondering what sort of place Ostroh would be if those people were still here.
But Ostroh also had many other interesting ruins, as it once was one of the largest cities in Ukraine and was surrounded by a formidable wall and gateway system. In fact one of these gateway is a few houses down from my street (Tatarska) and is called the Tatar gateway.
This is the view from Ostroh of the old Ostroskiy princes residence.
Misha poking his head out.
Misha outside one of strongest parts of the old fortifications. It had to be strong because it was key to the defense of the Prince's residences and the Orthodox church.
The old Orthodox church which still has services. I poked my head to see one of the services and it is quite interesting. The priests had their backs to the people and were chanting. They have done so much work on this church because in the 1900s is was a complete wreck. It serves as a good juxtaposition of the synagogue (I have no pictures it was too dark).
Misha and I lounging oustide the old Tatar gateway. (It was called that because after a failed Tatar invasion some Tatar people were left in Ostroh. They pleaded not to be killed, and the prince granted their request and installed them in this gateway.
Joel and Ira looking up at the old Tatar gateway ruins.
Misha and I chilling on one of the old Royal couches (Man they would totally never let us do this in Canada)
This is one of the old Polish kings. I thought his expression was hilarious
Joel jumping off one of the old defensive wall.
A stray dog and cat sleeping side by side. This dog was literally terrified of me and scampered away and watched me while shivering as I walked by it after I snapped this picture.
This is our neighbour's dog huddling inside his doghouse.
Me at the daycare with one of the kids.