To summarize my visit:

Would have never made this visit, if I did not have such a valuable resource as Hannah, my full time interpreter. Would strongly advise anyone that does not speak or understand Ukrainian language, to either visit with a tour, or to have an interpreter with you at all times if you are visiting family that cannot speak or understand English. Felt badly about forgetting my Ukrainian speech since my youth, but when you don't keep up the speech practice, all the words slip from ones memory.

Am glad I did go? You bet! Quite exciting being the "trail blazer, as my brother quoted of me as being, to break the ice and make the first "family to family in person contact" with my fathers relatives in 58 years. Was very happy to meet my relatives and make a few friends also during my short visit. Someday, maybe soon, will go back and visit again.

The people Of Ukraine that I met were all very cordial, considerate, and friendly. Whatever they have, they would share with you. All the food that had been prepared was very good, as Ukrainians can really make the most of the basic food groups. The possessions they have are well kept and their pride shows this.

As mentioned earlier, the City of Lviv is a city steeped in tradition and history. You definitely feel this way as you make your way around the city, feeling you're in a time warp of about 50-75 years. Contrary to what I had heard, the city is not filthy and dirty, rather from what I had seen, more of an old city that has been worn away a little bit by the years that have passed.

The economy is really suffering since independence 10 years ago. Ukraine is going through the pains of developing from a communist era, into a democratic nation. One can see the frustration of so many Ukrainians of the time it has taken so far to make this change, and its my belief that it will take another 10-20 years for all Ukrainians to understand and finally experience what democracy is truly all about. Right now, they do not seem to comprehend the time it takes for such reform. Some of the people I met on this visit made comments that they sometimes think the economy and lifestyle was better under communist rule. I disagree with them emphatically on this comment. Because of what I experienced through the eyes of my father while he lived in Ukraine under communist rule, it seems that what was taken from the people was freedom, i.e. freedom and no fear of choice, freedom and no fear of speech. This is what so many of the hero's of the Ukrainian past wished for, and what they died for. It saddens me somewhat to think that some people forget the millions of Ukrainian lives that were lost in the past decades for their beliefs and dreams of freedom, not suppression.

For me, I firmly believe that Ukraine in the next 10 to 20 years will develop in to a democratic power in Eastern Europe. The economy will improve vastly, and people will then understand the rewards of being in a society of freedom of speech and freedom to chose.

Visiting around the city of Lviv, it was very apparent that there was not a really good concept of what free enterprise business is. WOW! If Ukrainian businesses and the Ukrainian government would only swallow their pride and accept help from business people from other successful nations, what a quick change they would see in their economy. Other areas for improvement are in the tourist industry. Right now, I don't think Ukraine is well suited for the tourism industry. Areas of improvement needed are in hospitality to foreigners, better development of hotels and services, and mostly the need to swallow their pride and ask for help. Also do not think that Ukraine is aware of such a potential of the great amount of revenue that can come in to their economy from the tourism industry. At this time, I believe that a good majority of visitors at this time are people visiting relatives or researching their genealogy history. Not too much tourism dollars are produced with this category of people. The Eastern European nations are very proud people, sometimes too proud, and make the mistake of not asking for and accepting help from others.

Ukraine is a really neat place. The people are great. Wish that I could have visited 20 years ago, when my father's parents were still alive.

Again, am hoping that I had been a good representative of myself, my family, and also of my country.

regards...

Roman Cupryk