Brief Trip to Paragova ~ about 25 mins outside the city center you enter a beautiful outdoor museum of old wooden houses (with straw roofs) and a wooden church. It was a brief visit, as we were just there for lunch, but we will be returning next weekend where I will post more pictures.
The school organized a traditional Ukrainian meal at Paragova complete with Borsch (much tastier than what Heather and I made). The rain (in the leaky gazebo roof) made the lunch a little more exciting than normal.
Riding the Marchutka
Marchutka's are the way to travel in Kiev. There are electric trolly buses availalbe (resembling Canadian buses), but these 'mini-buses' are way more efficient, as you can flag them down at any point on their route (verses waiting at a stop), and you can also request to stop where ever needed. The main problem I've encountered is how to get them to do the latter, as I can only say "Na'Asta Nokia" translating into "Next Stop" (and doesnt always work, as I usually whisper it rather than yell it, which is what you are supposed to do). There are no little plastic strings to 'ding' when you want to get off, so anyone planning to visit me better familiarize themselves with that phrase!
The drivers tend to personalize the driving area (the one below isn't too exciting...many others will have a colourful Rug where the money is laid, and fake flowers decorating the windshield). And the payment works on an honour system: whereby the passengers get on board, get comfortable in their seats (or standing...depending how crowded) and pass the money forward to the person infront until it reaches the driver. The fee: 1,50 gra (grivna) = 30 cents US. If you only have a 10 gra bill, the driver will give you the 8, 50 gra change. It's also quite normal to ride upfront with the driver if there is a seat.
Below: a typical Marchutka 'bus' (with electric trolly bus behind, in yellow)
Jocelyn's Quarter Century Celebration: Aug.20th 2007
Krechatik (the main strip)
These yellow barrelled refreshment stands are all over the city. I haven't yet tried the popular drink that comes from it yet, but I've been told it's somewhat similar to beer without the alcohol. I will confirm at a later date.
It's nice to see the fountains around Kiev are used for more than just asthetics. Anyone can jump in and cool off from the heat. City security has better things to do then tell people to get out of the fountains, which makes the whole idea of fountains a lot more fun!
Special Delivery...still intact!
This was my view for about a week. These workers were laying meter-long square sheets of styrofoam up the whole side of the buidling. Among the belaying down the side of the building and the meticulous puzzle-like fitting of the styrofoam, I'd never seen anything like it.
UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: AUG. 24 1991
One of the many "Buskers" on Kreschatik (main street in Kiev). He had at least 5 instruments with him including an accordian, a mandolin, harmonica, xylophone and a bass drum!
Maidan Square was transformed into a staging area and mini 'water park'! Anyone could play in the fountains around the city...although I'm pretty sure this priviledge isn't just limited to Independence Day.
One of the many Cathedrals decorating the city.
On our way to Podil (Podol)...the Montreal Plateau of Ukraine! (the Infamous St. Sophia's Cathedral in the background)
The following Pictures are from the Market in Podil. It is one of the few outdoor markets open year round (winter included). This day the main cobblestone road was closed off and local vendors were lined up and down the street for what seemed like 30 blocks. This part of the city sits on a giant hill, so we started at the top and worked our way down. Here is a record of our journey:
This is the street entering into the market area. There were small groups playing classical music on a variety of instruments. The architecture is much more colourful compared to the numerous grey Soviet-style buildings you would find just 5 minutes in the opposite direction (i.e. where I live).
Another example of the live music seen in the streets. This man was singing in Russian/Ukrainian on top of his performace, which made me all the more anxious to learn the language so I could understand what he was saying!
This is the top of the cobblestone road...
Some traditional Ukrainian clothes for sale at the market
wicker/straw sandles and hats
wool rugs and blankets
(Above and Below) Some musicians demonstrating how their hand-made instruments are played.
Every now and then you come accross a pack of stray dogs strolling the streets of Kiev as if they own the place. They are very gentle and dont think twice about dodging pedestrians and cars. A few times I've come accross a solo pup who's scrounging for food, and it's hard not to bring them home, what with their sad eyes and tail between their legs. Luckily the school organizes materials to bring to animal shelters to help those animals fortunate enough to make it to one.
Getting Maidan Square ready for the celebration...
