1/28/2020 0 Comments Przekroczenie granicyJak wiemy, większość podróży to również wyzwania jakim jest przejście graniczne. Kontrole graniczne w niektórych krajach nie występują praktycznie wcale, a w innych nie ma możliwości ich obejścia. Kontrola graniczna ze strony Ukraińskich celników jest znacznie mniej rygorystyczna niż w Polsce. Coming back to Poland after my journey through Ukraine presented me with an unexpected experience. After coming into the country, I expected leaving Ukraine to be just as painless. However, this assumption was wrong. When I left Poland, the security was lax for myself and everyone in the same car. No one asked many questions. And no bags were searched. Border patrol on both sides flipped through our passports and stamped them. I was only asked one question: “tourist?” For the entire train to go through exit and entry border control took less than an hour total. Returning to Poland took much more time. An hour to go through Ukrainian security, followed by an hour for Polish security. Ukrainian Border Control was not intense but it was long. We had to hand our passports over and wait. We were asked about how much baggage we had, but that was it. Polish border control was not as easy. Officers checked the nooks and crannies of the compartment, and even searched everyone’s baggage. Those who were entering Poland were asked many questions, and had their paperwork inspected. However, this particular entry process ended up being very uncomfortable because as it turns out there was “an elephant in the room.” And this elephant was me, and my Canadian-ness. When we speak of elephants in the room, these are often uncomfortable or awkward truths that no one can deny, but yet no one will acknowledge. My status as a Canadian citizen clearly put me in a position different than that of the Ukrainians I was sharing a compartment with. I can’t say that I received better or more respectful treatment due to the language barrier, but I what I can say is that I was not subjected to the searches, the questions, nor the presentation of any extra documents beyond my visa. One by one the Ukrainians followed orders, did as they were told and spoke when spoken to. And when it was my turn, none of that happened. Entering Poland was easy for me, but I can only assume because of my Canadian passport, but not for my Ukrainian counterparts simply because of their being Ukrainian. The train ride from the entry point to Przemyśl was long, awkward and quiet. The only good thing is that it was very short.
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AuthorMy name is Madison. I am from Alberta, Canada. I like to read books, go hiking and explore new cities. Even though I am Canadian, I don't watch hockey and I don't like snow. I graduated from The University of Lethbridge in 2018 after studying English Literature and Art History for six years. I have travelled to the Mexican state, Nayarit and to Tokyo, Japan. I hope to travel all over the world. Archives
June 2020
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