Minsk for the Hell of it!

I traveled to Minsk only because Belarus was the only European Country from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic I had not visited.  I know, it is a dumb ass reason to waste time in a hell hole but sometimes you just have to step out of character.  Turns out there was an excellent reason for not visiting this former, strike that, current Russian satellite – it sucks!

From the moment you land at the Minsk Airport you feel like you are in a time warp stuck in the 1950s.  Even before the plane landed forms were passed out to be completed before we disembarked.  Then once in the airport the passport official treats you like a spy that he  needs to catch to get an extra ration of vodka and bowl of beet soup.  Then the taxi ride in from the airport (which last forever) passes old Soviet era buildings one after another all topped with the iconic Hammer and Sickle stone monuments. And lots of statues of Lenin and various other fearless leaders that the rest of the world have dumped into the trash heap of history litter the landscape.  And lots of sculptures of the proletariat heroes of the Revolution.

The funniest monument is this huge stone relief that must be 80 feet wide and 20 feet tall placed above the entire building housing Minsk’s Kentucky Fried Chicken Outlet.  Quite a contrast with all those granite  Russian Peasant heroes posing heroically above a plastic smiling Col. Sanders.  But I think the irony may be lost on these Minsk Russian drones.

The saddest monument was to the mothers of the Belarus soldiers who lost their lives in the 1980s Afghanistan War.  It is funny, you see lots of statues and monuments to soldiers who have lost their lives all over the world.  But this was the first I’ve ever noticed recognizing the pain of the mother who will never see her son smile or hear his voice again.  Mothers destined to grow old alone and without the joy of hearing grandchildren running through her house or destroying her garden.  Ive included several photos of the compelling monument.

Minsk did have a couple of interesting churches worth visiting but that was about it.  By the way, Belarus cuisine I could do without.  Everything either has beets or peppers in it.  And their idea of choice meats – tongue and pressed animal fat squares.  And trust me it is even less tasty than it sounds.

A few photos to commemorate my obligatory stop in Belarus…

My favorite Minsk memory Col. Sanders vs the Soviet Proletariat or maybe they are just satisfied customers

Propaganda Poster encouraging vigilance!

Uncivilized Tea Service – but it works!

Memorial to Mothers of the War Dead

Memorial to Sonless Mothers of the Afghan War

Photo of part of the Memorial to Belarus Mothers of the War Dead

These people yearn for the days of the heavy boot back upon their necks.

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2 Responses to Minsk for the Hell of it!

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