KAMIANETS-PODILSKYI, UKRAINE: MY TROUBLED HEAD

Published on March 31, 2015October 16, 2020 by jacquelinemhadel1 Comment

I am thinking it’s a sign
That the freckles in our eyes
Are mirror images and when
We kiss they’re perfectly aligned

And I have to speculate
That God himself did make
Us into corresponding shapes
Like puzzle pieces from the clay

And true, it may seem like a stretch,
But its thoughts like this that catch
My troubled head when you’re away
When I am missing you to death

~The Postal Service “Such Great Heights”

29mar15. Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine.

KAMIANETS-PODILSKYI, UKRAINE STREET ART: “TULIP,” AFTER MUCH CONFUSION

Published on March 31, 2015 by jacquelinemhadel3 Comments

In my continued efforts to share information and insight about international street art, I try very hard to get direct translations from the natives of whatever particular country I happen to be in at the time. Here is a verbatim text chat I had last night with my main translator in Ukraine. Confusion abounds, to say the least. But, eventually the answer will be revealed.

Vlad: Flower. Holland national flower. Tulip.

Jackie: Does it say “Tulip?”

V: I’ve just translated it. Is it a flower “tulip?”

J: You’re being mean in English. Softer. It says specifically, “Is it a flower tulip?”

V: No no no. It was a question. Is it a flower?

J: It says “Is it a flower?” It’s a question?

V: No. I’m asking you.

J: Just WHAT does the Cyrillic say?!

V: Wait. From the beginning…

J: What does the yellow say?! That’s all!

V: So, I don’t know what it says, BUT I know that word means ‘flower.’ Special flower. I think it is ‘tulip.’

J: So, “flower?”

V: Yes. BUT ‘Special Flower.’ Like, you know, ‘camomile.’ That particular flower is a tulip.

J: Fuck it. I don’t know what to write. I just want to know the EXACT translation of the yellow word!!!!

V: Tulip.

J: Wow.

V: Who is mean now?

J: Lol. Literally. Thank you for that. Omg. I needed to laugh.

V: You’re welcome.

The End.

So, you can see, the answer was actually in the first sentence.

29mar15. Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine.

KAMIANETS-PODILSKYI, UKRAINE: STARING AT ASPHALT

Published on March 31, 2015October 16, 2020 by jacquelinemhadelLeave a comment

Unexpectedly alone and out of sorts exploring a foreign town, I felt compelled to listen to my favorite album of all-time over and over on the trip.

“Smeared black ink… your palms are sweaty
And I’m barely listening to last demands
I’m staring at the asphalt wondering what’s buried underneath
Where I am”

~ The Postal Service “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight”

“Choose familiar faces”