It's been around 16-17 days since I left my city Kharkiv (Kharkov), Ukraine, and living in Poland like a refugee; a rootless individual who doesn't know what to do next. Tomorrow is going to be one month since all these started and I still feel it's yesterday when bombing and shelling started. My city Kharkiv was destroyed, the backside neighborhood of my apartment was destroyed, thousands of people took shelter in the basements, bunkers, and metro stations.
The street I have used to go to my university was destroyed yesterday because of bombing and heavy shelling. My neighbor wrote to me yesterday that she is still living in the basement, the window of my house broken, and I called my landlord to fix it whenever he can. I also told him to check my apartment as he has the spare key for my studio. I don't know what else to say but I still feel broken and devastated though I am in a safe place. The good thing is I don't hear the sound of shelling and explosions but the comfort and warmth I used to feel at home don't feel anymore...
I was talking to a Ukrainian today, she lives in Poland and at some point, we both felt emotional and cried together thinking about our home and country. We all have stories now but most of the stories are untold and will make you cry.
Poland is a beautiful country, spring is here. One of the most beautiful times of the whole year. I remember I used to take large preparation for spring, even I used to select my outfits as well but not anymore. I don't feel those vibes and emotions anymore. I am not that same person anymore.
I cry suddenly, I become sad suddenly and sometimes I laugh randomly like a mad person. My inside is like a stone that feels nothing except carrying the memories of the past and the war. This is not only a crisis, this is a war that destroyed people's life. Social media is now toxic, social comments fight among the nations just piss me off, people are dying here and some are fighting and defending in the comment section... LOL...
A day before yesterday I went to Warsaw, Poland to meet the Ukrainian Consulate. I need to fix my documents and though I hate this document work, I have no other choice. Many of you might know I am carrying dual citizenship which is causing issues when it comes to registration. This is a crisis and obviously, EU rules are different so I needed help from the consulate for further procedures. I need to endorse and attest my papers from the consulate and need to verify them for proof of my residency in Ukraine. It was a very complicated process during this crisis and obviously, I can understand the reasons for the priority of citizens. So, I don't have any complaints, I will wait when my turn will come out. Because of security reasons, I just wrote the main point instead of elaborating all the steps and issues.
I took the train from Katowice, Poland at 5.30 am in the morning and reached Warsaw around 8.30 am in the morning. the train was an intercity train so the travel was not hectic, well I must mention that the tickets are not free for me. From Taras Zolte Warsaw Central, I took Uber to reach the consulate. After reaching there I have found out that 200 people were waiting in the queue before me. I was not surprised at all even I expected more. So, finally, I got my number and started waiting for my turn.
I won't say it was hard because I have seen the worst time in life even crossing 8 km by foot to reach the Poland border so it was nothing. There was food and drinks provided by volunteers so the entire experience was not bad at all.
The day was sunny but the walkway was full of people waiting for their number. Obviously, 200 people had their own issues and every issue was different from one another. Many people came with their families, mothers came with their newborns even old-aged people were also waiting for their turn. Seeing a lot of people around me was overwhelming but I genuinely felt their pain. I saw anxiousness on their face and their eyes were full of sadness. Losing home and seeking temporary protection in another country was never their choice and it's not an easy journey for them.
Where parents were anxious about the future, kids were enjoying their moment playing with bubbles. They don't have any idea what's going on, and why they were here. Do you have any words to express seeing these kids? They are refugees and homeless, they have nowhere to go now, their family split, their father is fighting for the country...I don't have any words to explain...
Well, after waiting 36 hours, yesterday I finally got my turn and was able to submit and explained my situation. @Blind-spot was there too and helped me to communicate with the consulate...Don't know what gonna be the result but I am not expecting too much right now...
I really wanna thank @bulldog-joy, @erikah, @gtg, @polish.hive (team), @guiltyparties, @ellenripley, @starkerz, and many others for enormous support and help, without you guys I couldn't even survive and I couldn't have come so far. I am grateful to you... You are like my family now...
You can follow my stories here:
War Story - Was it hell? - Kharkiv, Ukraine
From " Kharkiv, Ukraine " to " Warsaw, Poland " - War Story
From " Kharkiv, Ukraine " to " Warsaw, Poland " - War Story | Part -2 - Lviv
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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...