This WanderLearn Podcast is about the biggest country in Europe: Ukraine.

(If you get very technical about it, Russia and Denmark have more land if you include their terrorities outside of Europe.) 

Ukraine is so big that the podcast is a double interview.

First, I interview Rick DeLong, an American who has worked and lived in Ukraine (and other Eastern European countries).

Second, I have a brief interview with Luba James, who was born and raised in Odessa, Ukraine, but now lives in San Francisco.  

Combined, you'll get some insight into this vast country in Europe. It may not answer all your questions, but at least it will get you thinking about Ukraine.

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For my travel update May 1, 2009:

Here's a quick update on my 2nd trip through Eastern Europe. Since I last wrote I've:

• Traveled with three Ziwis in Corfu, Greece.
• Slept in an abandoned 4 star hotel in Albania.
• Camped in Kosovo.
• Enjoyed the company of pot-smoking Macedonians.
• Become friendly with some goats in Bulgaria.
• Traveled through the Danube Delta in Romania with three French people, an Italian, and an American.
• Hitchhiked through much of Moldova.
• Climbed the tallest mountain in Ukraine.
• Was dropped off in Kosice, Slovakia at 3am.
• Had my ATM card eaten in Hungary by a hungry ATM machine.

I'd love to write much more, but I'm saving it for my book, The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us.

 

I've got two more countries to see that I've haven't see this year: Serbia and Slovenia. I'll be in Serbia tomorrow!

99% of the people this planet can't find Latvia on a map. It's one of those three mysterious, hidden Baltic states that few people talk about and fewer people visit. 

However, Latvia's capital, Riga, is the most important city in the Baltic. Its strategic location has been coveted over the centuries that tens of thousands have died trying to control this precious city.

As glorious as Riga is, Latvia offers much more to the visitor. It has the lovely Gauja National Park with two interesting towns of Cesis and Sigulda. It also has some nice beaches along the Baltic Sea. And of course, there is much more for the curious to discover.

I interview Edite Lucava, a Latvian that I met 5 years ago in Belarus. We talked only 20 minutes five years ago, but we've kept in touch ever since. Unfortunately, we haven't met face to face in the last five years. I called her on Skype to record her thoughts about her country. 

You'll also get to hear the #1 Latvian band, Brainstorm. I break up the podcast with some of their music.

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How much do you know about Belarus?

Did you know that it is the last communist dictatorship in Europe?

Did you know that most Belarusians don’t speak Belarusian in everyday life?

In this WanderLearn episode, I interview Yarik, a Belarusian who is living in Washington, DC. He shares his insights in this country in The Hidden Europe.

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 Here is one person's review of the podcast.

Julia Trutko is an Estonian of Russian descent. She's living in San Francisco now.

She's quite intelligent and thoughtful. This is one of the best WanderLearn podcasts because she is so clear, precise, and insightful. She's a fascinating lady and you will enjoy the podcast, which includes music from Estonia.

Listen and learn what it's like to be the 25% in Estonia who are Russophones - people who prefer to speak Russian. 

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After interviewing Dalia Vaiste, a Lithuanian, I did two phone interviews with foreigners who have roots in Lithuania. 

The first interview

Stephanie Carnell was born in Lithuania, but left to the US at an early age. She visited her family in Lithuania every year for the last 10 years.

She has many things to say about Lithuania and how it has changed in the last decade.

Nowadays she loves wolves and Lithuania.

The second interview

Cedric Heriot is Frenchman married to a Lithuanian. After a rough start, he's gotten settled down in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Enjoy the podcast!

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I've done fewer drugs than the Pope. However, Amsterdam would corrupt me.

After having spent a month in Central America, the Netherlands was a shock: the flight arrived on time, there were clear signs everywhere, the streets were clean, and it was as butt cold.

I stayed in Toek's apartment in Amsterdam. Toek and I hiked together for about two days on the CDT. He is the only one from the Netherlands to complete the Triple Crown (AT, CDT, PCT). Like most thru-hikers, he has benefited from countless trail magic. He always wished to give back to the trail community, but he lived too far away from the trails to do much. However, this time the smelly trail person came to him, and he was happy to help. 

Unfortunately, Toek wasn't there when I arrived. He was in Scotland, doing what he likes best, hiking. He left me the key to his kingdom and I was in Sin City: Amsterdam.

Amsterdam blew me away and I didn't even do blow. First, it's one of those rare cities that has what I adore: lots of canals. Like Venice and St. Petersburg, canals crisscross Amsterdam, making it irresistibly romantic and charming. Nearly everywhere you look, you'll see a quaint bridge, a docked boat, and the sound of ducks roaming the waterways. Unlike Venice, there are cars, but thanks to $10/gallon gasoline, the cars are small, cute, and relatively quiet. Quaint shops and elegant restaurants abound. Nearly every building is a work of art. In short, Amsterdam is a classic European city: a place that makes you feel sophisticated and worldly, even when you're not.