CARPATHIANS - 2007, impressions of the "teapot" and a little romance
December 2006 will probably be remembered for all the lack of snow and at the same time the presence of rain, dirt and warm weather.
"Where is the snow? " ! ! ", - everyone asked not only in Kryvyi Rih, but also in Kiev, Donetsk, Dnepropetrovsk.
"There is snow! In the Carpathians! On Dragobrate! ", - my friends and part-time leaders of the ethnographic tourism club" Ukraine of Dreams "answered me. And I gladly agreed to go with them for a week to relax in the Carpathians, and see the "miracle" of the XXI century - SNOW.
Our path was not close. First twenty hours to Lviv. After a short excursion, we set off again, to the village of Yasinya, where our base is located - "High Carpathians". We arrived there late at night, settled down and immediately went to bed, so that tomorrow we can start exploring this beautiful and mysterious land with new strength.
DAY ONE. ACQUAINTANCE
The first half of the day was devoted to the study of the village, that is, "acclimatization".
After lunch, the group and I went to Yablunitsky Pass (border of Zakarpattia and Ivano-Frankivsk regions). This is unforgettable for a person who came to the Carpathians for the first time! I didn't even remember going here to see the snow. Everything was great here and so! High mountains, green spruces, mountain rivers admired their beauty. For a person who sees Krivorozhstal pipes every day, the collapses of YUGOK and red sparrows are simply amazing!
And the air! It's just…. Just no words!
Upon arrival at the pass, our group split up. Some immediately went to choose souvenirs. Somewhere, and here they are full! Others wanted to warm up in a cozy cafe, and others, including me, went for a walk with our instructor in the woods. During the walk, we imperceptibly climbed a small hill, which opened a magnificent view of the highest point of Ukraine - the town of Hoverla (2061m), and from the northeast to the Gorgan ridge.
Here we found the first snow. It was a little bit, but we still managed to play snowballs!
The first day flew by unnoticed, but forever left a mark in my memories of the Carpathians.
DAY TWO. TRANSCARPATHIAN STEPHEN. DEAR BROTHER. SKIING. SURPRISE
So. Morning, breakfast. Yes, today we are going skiing! Interesting - this is not the word. Just a bomb! And a time bomb. An explosion occurs when you go downhill skiing for the first time in your life without ever falling. But about everything in order. We went skating to the ski resort Dragobrat. For those who have never been to Drag, I will note that the way there, though close, is difficult. You can call only "lawn" or "UAZ". It's also interesting and extreme. We came across an ordinary Transcarpathian driver named Stepan, who loves money and does everything to earn more for the season.
And I think that this Steppe would not be the last figure in the Paris-Dakar rally, because not everyone decides to get out of the rut, to overtake the same "lawn" at an altitude of about a thousand meters. Moreover, do it at an angle of 25-35 degrees, with twelve passengers on board. Everyone, holding their breath, "hurt" for the Steppe, because we wanted to go skiing and go to the bath, in general, to stay alive. But it all ended well. After all, this Ukrainian man was a professional in his field! It is very difficult to describe the beauty of Dragobrat, sitting near the computer, in a stuffy office. It is necessary to visit there. Visit and enjoy what you see. Even if you don't know what skiing is, you still need to go there. Nature fascinates and fascinates. During the whole trip we were in the tract for three days. Three days there was different weather. And every day Dragobrat was big and beautiful in his own way. If you do not believe, come and see for yourself.
Now about the skis. People who do not ski well are called "teapots".
I'm not cold or hot from this. The desire to learn the technique of downhill skiing came to me as soon as I saw how many girls ride around me. And it started. The plow, then just as it turns out. It's not easy, although learning was fun. At the end of the day, I was already coming down from the training lift on my own, and I looked more decisively in the direction of the big one-kilometer one. Returning from Dragobrat was as extreme as climbing it. But we were no longer worried, so Stepa led his iron "tiger" confidently and decisively. Our merry company celebrated a successful trip to Dragobrat in a cozy cafe "Meridian". And we were surprised again! And who do you think? Of course, our favorite driver! The bottle of good champagne presented to him was just right!
Another day of our fantastic stay in the Carpathians ended so happily.
DAY THREE. HURRICANE "KIRILL"
The third day was also held under our sign "Dragobrat". It was already easier to ride and I wanted to raise the bar. Unfortunately, the big lifts did not work, so the skill had to be honed on a training lift. In the evening we ordered a bath and a hurricane! We were warned about it in advance. But people who were born and raised in the city do not understand what a storm is like in the mountains. Within a few hours the wind speed reaches 40 m / s, mountain rivers in just minutes are filled with precipitation and come out of the shores, perennial spruces are uprooted and they fall on electric wires, transformers burn in settlements, slate breaks, billboards break. Yes, it is an element. Nature has once again shown that it is stronger and humanity should not forget about it.
Our friendly company met a disaster in the sauna. Suddenly the light went out there. The most interesting thing is that the hurricane was not very active in the village at first. Therefore, after the bath we went to a cafe, where we celebrated Baptism by candlelight in a romantic atmosphere. We were able to see the full picture of the natural "lawlessness" only the next day, when we went on an excursion to the geographical center of Europe.
DAY FOUR. GEOGRAPHICAL CENTER OF EUROPE. HOUSE-MUSEUM
The geographical center of Europe is located near the village. Dilovoe (Transcarpathian region) is a complex of monuments that testify to the fact that the Center is in this place. It is noteworthy that they were built at different times, by different states (the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the USSR and Ukraine).
After driving about 50 km, you could see the difference in the natural complexes of the Carpathian region - the location of the village of Yasinya and the south-west, where the center of Europe. The peaks of the Montenegrin ridge with coniferous forests are replaced by small hills, with a predominance of deciduous forests. And only the river Black Tisza flows along our entire path, changing only the speed of the flow. It simultaneously complements and emphasizes the extraordinary, fabulous beauty of the Ukrainian Carpathians.
In addition to the beauty of the Carpathians and the historical and geographical significance of this place, the attention of our group was attracted by another wooden structure - a hut-museum. Who does not know, the hut is a small cafe or restaurant decorated in Hutsul style. The main feature of these establishments is the presence in the center of the fireplace-hood, where you can cook local dishes.
By the way, in the hut located in the Center of Europe there are several specialties. After a delicious lunch you can have fun dancing to Hutsul melodies and songs. In short, there is no better place for a cheerful youth company, where you can "cheaply and angrily" come off 100%. Another attraction of the hut are the museum exhibits hanging on the walls. These are a variety of antiques. They remind all visitors of the history and culture of our country, and also serve as a decor in this unique room.
So our trip came to an end. I spent the last day again at Dragobrat. After the hurricane, fresh snow fell and it was doubly nice to ride. Five days flew by unnoticed. It is difficult to get to the Carpathians, but even harder to leave. And it does not depend on transport.
In just five days, I saw a lot of new things, forgot about the problems and worries that await me in my hometown, and most importantly, I met people with whom it was nice to spend time in a friendly and fun company. Of course, I will come to the Carpathians more than once, of course it will be great, but still what happens in life is remembered for the first time forever! I am glad that January 2007 was full of positive emotions that will give a charge for the whole year. Thanks to everyone who was involved in this trip! I hope that we will meet again soon on the tracks of Dragobrat!
http:// www. panther. com. ua - club of ethnographic tourism "Ukraine of dreams"
