20090515 – Friday – Kamianets-Podilski

K-P is a natural location for this fortress.  It is built on stone cliffs running down to the river on a bulge in the river, with a ravine on the 4th side. It was never taken in battle.  The town itself is historic and shows the main areas of those that occupied the town – Ukrainians, Poles, Armenians and Turks.  When the turks pulled out under a peace treaty, they had previously converted a church into a mosque, building a miniaret.  The terms of the treaty stated that the miniaret must remain. The mosque then reverted to a church and a gold statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary was put on top the miniaret – honouring the treaty!  Our driver then drove us into the village of our relatives, who were awaiting our arrival.  We first visited with Nadia and Stepan and ate, and ate, and talked.  We then went to  Volodomyr and Hania's where we were to stay and ate, and ate, and talked where Gail occupied herself with playing with her buddy Maria (from our first trip) now 3 years old and teaching her English.  Maria reminds us of Stephen at that age – very articulate and chatty.  From then on Gail was chocha Kanada – auntie Canada!