Belarus is a landlocked country bordered by Russia and the Ukraine. This eastern European country is situated in the lowlands with forests, farmlands, rivers and lakes. Belarus has never integrated with the rest of the continent physically or politically. Rather than converting to a capitalistic system it has remained a dictatorship, earning the title ‘the last dictatorship in Europe.’ Belarus has suffered and continues to suffer from economic hardship, which is one reason why TWAM opened 2 small ‘home orphanages’ in this small nation over a decade ago.
The following pictures were taken in Vitebsk, a modern city, 4- hours northeast of Minsk, the capital city.
The sub-zero temperatures did not deter the street vendors from trying to sell their wares to the few pedestrians. My cheekbones hurt after just a few minutes exposure to the cold so my heart went out to the people selling on the street.
Belarus is the only country I’ve visited where a person can purchase ice skates in the grocery store.
Many products such as condiments, sauces and sour cream are sold in pouches.
