Today is the hottest day in the Netherlands, actually, local people are saying it because tomorrow's weather forecast is saying the weather will be cooler than today. After finishing my work schedule, I got a little bit of time to communicate with my family and all I can say it didn't go well.
I have said before that the bonding between me and my father is different and complicated, it was always the same, and never changed. I am not very comfortable and connected with my father. That's why we often find difficulties communicating with each other and when there is a serious discussion, it never goes well. Anyway, as usual, our discussion didn't go well and we argued again. I was a little bit disappointed but later I decided not to think about it. The summary of our discussion is: my father wants me to go back home (motherland) which I don't want at all. So, we argued and disagreed with each other's points.
Here in Almere, summer means 25 degrees celsius to 36 degrees celsius. I can survive in this hot summer weather because I have seen extreme summer and winter moments in life. In Ukraine, I have seen extreme hot weather as well but it was different. I don't like sweaty, humid summer, it irritates me a lot. On the other hand, if the weather is dry, I feel dehydrated. Anyway, enough of weather talk, I wanna talk about my last summer in Ukraine.
Summer in Ukraine means a lot of activities, traveling, and BBQ parties. People used to travel a lot and even used to do different activities. After a long winter, summer is the best time to do activities. I remember my neighbors used to spend their time gardening even my landlord used to go to his summer house for agriculture and gardening purpose. During summer, I mostly used to spend time outside, even I used to go to the countryside to spend summer time. My go-to place was the city center or riverside area, I am not a fan of the river-side beach but I used to loved spending time near the river.
In Kharkiv, summer meant thousands of sunflowers and vast fields of wheat. I remember when I saw the sunflower field for the first time, I was astonished. The bright colors of sunflower and the golden-colored waves of wheat really blew away my mind. My tour of my Ukrainian village has given me the idea of perfect summer. Green vegetables and fruits were everywhere. During summer, people used to stay busy growing vegetables, doing agricultural work, and homesteading. Due to war, farmers can't grow anything, my fear is soon there might start a food crisis soon.
Anyway, it's past now, things are different now. I was watching an updated documentary on Kharkiv city today and it broke my heart. Seeing the destroyed city somehow I felt this war is bringing no good to anybody, I still don't understand what is the purpose of this war except for people's suffering. Metro stations in Kharkiv turned into bomb shelters and people are living there for months. People can't go out and enjoy the weather, mines are everywhere, and continuous shelling destroying the beautiful city every day. I wonder if the summer flowers are blooming there still. I wonder whether the orchards are full of apples and apricots or not!
Life changed, I don't know what exactly life is going to offer me. I stopped thinking, I am going with the flow. I haven't experienced the summer in the Netherlands, this is my first time. Need to go outside to experience the European summer...
P.S: Gigi is doing great, she has 90% recovered already and started her regular routine. I need to take her often but I don't mind walking with her so it's good. She started playing around and sniffing around, I am happy for her that she is not in pain anymore...
Thank you so much for reading...
Love
Priyan...
I am @priyanarc.... An architect, a dreamer, and a passionate writer who loves to write about life. I try to present my own perspective and experiences. Please leave your feedback and criticism because it's the only way I can know and reach your mind and thought easily...
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All images used are captured by the author... Taken in Ukraine...
Hi Priya, this is a great yet heartrending post. You said:
I still don't understand what is the purpose of this war except for people's suffering.
What is the purpose of any war? Other than to take from one group and give to another, to fulfill the greed of a man or a country, or even an misplaced ideal ?
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I don't know, I still don't know, and probably after 2 years, I will get my answer...
I've been on this world for almost 67 yrs. I lost a brother in Vietnam, I was 9.
I naively thought that war was to help defend the S Vietnamese from the Northern/Communist aggression.
It was really just an exercise of the American Military Industrial Complex to develop new weapons and make some men rich, and for the Gov't to dupe the people once more.
Since that time, every conflict still boils down to the same things, at least to me.
That's what I am thinking lately... :(
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Yes, several people are considering that there will be a strong food shortage due to the war, I have already been hearing it in several conversations, on the other hand it is very good that Gigi is better. take care of yourself and I wish you much encouragement.
Thank you so much, Gigi is doing great, she is a playful dog so seeing her recovery is such a relief... I wish you a great week...
Your father probably feels that he is right in his thinking, because he is a man ~or~ because he is your father. He finds it difficult to accept that you have grown into a beautiful young woman, capable of making her own decisions as to what is best for her and her life. I am proud of you for staying with your beliefs, and not following his wishes simply because you are his daughter. Bravo!
Your photos of summer in Ukraine are wonderful! That field of sunflowers is spectacular, the delightful feminine shadow you cast is lovely, and the other flowers are fabulous! Orchards full of apples and apricots sound amazing! Zirochka was talking in her post today about how she would gather cherries, apples, plums, mushrooms, wild berries, mint, and thyme. Ukraine is alive, both in nature and in the spirit of her people. Ukraine seems strong and resilient. When the war ends, I feel that the country will rebound with much determination and you will be able to see those things again if you choose to return.
So happy to hear that Gigi continues to improve and is slipping into her old routine again! 💜
I don't disrespect him nor do I like to argue with him but like you said it's just different and he probably can't accept it or hard for him to accept. Sometimes nothing can be done and it's hard for me to make him understand my situation because his only solution is to come home...
West part of Ukraine people is living okay compared to the east part. Kharkiv city is almost empty, only men and elderly people are staying there. I only can imagine how people are staying in the metro station for 4 months :(... Hope soon all will be okay...But yes, nature is spreading her beauty everywhere...
Lovely sunflowers, I love them a lot...
I read your post and I remembered I had a bunch of sunflower photos I had shared to hive stock images last year, so I thought I would send you a big bouquet!
I love sunflowers and thanks for thinking about me. By any chance is it possible for you to visit sunflower fields?
I think so, but we don't have them nearby, I'd probably have to drive out to a farm area where they have berry picking and so forth. Last year a neighbor made a miniature sunflower forest on the corner block. That's where the pictures come from. No forest this year, though. Just a few sunflowers and lots of wildflowers.
Thanks...