Many Canadians are unaware of the challenges involved in traveling from Canada to war-torn Ukraine, where no air connections are currently available. Our journey began with a 10-hour flight from Toronto to Warsaw. From there, our team took a four-hour train ride to the small town of Chelm, near the Polish-Ukrainian border. In Chelm, we boarded a trans-border train to Kyiv, enduring a slow 10-hour ride with numerous stops. Upon finally reaching the capital of Ukraine, we found that Kyiv had already adapted to the realities of war, with shelter signs prominently displayed at every hotel. Despite the hardships of the past two years, the city’s central square, Maidan, with its stunning panoramic view, remains a steadfast symbol of freedom and independence. The sea of flags surrounding the central hill serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for this freedom.
