Well, I can’t speak too highly of Kiev, or Kyiv as it is known locally, it is a wonderful city that takes time to see, and is a world away from my first stop off of Zurich in Switzerland.  Kiev is big, it has the 7^th largest population for cities in Europe.  When you consider it is bigger than Paris or Rome, then it tells you that a lot of folks live here, and it clear to see why, though some things are just different/strange, not in a bad way.  Firstly, Kiev is 28 years old, just 28, that can blow your mind if you don’t search into the history.  Kiev of course has been here since 5th century, making it one of the oldest cities of Eastern Europe.  Naturally, there is a lot of Russian influence, but Ukraine wants to be its own country and is clearly proud about being Ukrainian, but I guess it is still just finding its way.

It’s hard to know where to start with all the things packed into three enjoyable days.  Buildings are really interesting, because many were flattened in conflict, so playing guessi the year can get complicated or misleading.  St Michael’s Church for example was built in the middle ages, but was demolished by the Russians in the 1930s, and was only reconstructed in 1999.

The first day I took in the free walking tour with tour guide Zana, and 12 other tourists from Sweden, Poland, Norway, Ukraine and me.  It is done in English and provides a great insight into all sorts of things related to Kiev, and I never grow bored of taking these walking tours as I have done them now in many, many cities.

The cost of living here is hard to comprehend, especially being visiting from Seattle.  A pint of beer in Kiev is 80 UAH, about 30 cents, and good local beer too.  A meal out with a starter, entrée and a couple of beers, $14.  If you think I might have gone somewhere cheap, you would be wrong, I went to one of the top 10 rated (Trip Advisor) restaurants in Kiev.  It was a Georgian restaurant, and the food was excellent

I prefer to walk around cities, and I walked a load around Kiev, but the Metro is also a great way to get around and at 80 UAH also 30 cents a trip.  It is hard to spend money here.

On my second day I walked and walked and walked, altogether I did 21 miles.

Took in walks down Tarasa Shevchenko Boulevard, Lesi Ukrainky Boulevard, the waterfront, alongside the Dneiper River, and had stops on the way at Kiev Pechersk Lavra, Motherland Moument  and the Pedestrian Bridge close to Podil.

On the walk through the park I somehow nearly fell down a man hole.  As I wandered through the park I stepped on a manhole, the cover spun like a coin, and if I had dropped in I would probably be still there now, but fortunately I had only one foot that stepped on, and as the cover spun I jumped sideways, which got the heart racing just a little bit faster. Oh, and just for good measure, later in the day, of course I got lost, well actually that is not accurately true.  I knew exactly where I wanted to go, but there were no walkway steps back up through the park, and I had to veer 4-5 miles before I could track back on myself.  In between all that I seemed to walk into some army patrol/assignment, I was not sure what was going on, but I was sure that I should not be there.  I got some weird stares from intimidating people, and within seconds I was hot footing my way out of there; I hoped they realized I was just some crazy tourist!!

I went on the Metro on day three, just to experience it, because much like the Metro in St Petersburg, Russian made metro stations can be impressive.  The problem I find with Metro’s is you don’t see anything.  When walking and meandering around a city, like Kiev, you see and hear so much more, interact with the place so much more. It is the best way to get the feel of a city, and I always thoroughly enjoy the wandering experience, and here wonderful.

I went to Dynamo Kiev football club, though was a little confused about them having two stadiums, so had to investigate.  Their soccer store is at NSC Olympiyskiy, and I was pleased to get a souvenir of the team.  Security here, and in Belarus, is on a different level.  At both the stadiums I went to there were armed guards all the way around.  I am not sure if this normal, it may well be, but both countries had national Euro games to be played, so there was no access.  Ukraine were playing Portugal, but with Ronaldo in town there were no tickets to be had, and that experience was not something I was able to add in.  Though having watched the Ukraine march to the match a little, I was not sure that was a game to go to, kind of scary.  I discovered, Dynamo use the NSC Olmpiyskiy purely because of its largest capacity and new built stadium.

The weather has been gorgeous, in the low 70’s and sunny blue skies.  It is unseasonably warm for Kiev, but no one was complaining, especially not me.  I think the Ukranians are a little pessimistic, because as I headed out for what was going to be a sunny Sunday, everyone had coats on.  By lunch time, all the Ukranians were carrying their costs as they sweltered.  I smiled as my tourist confidence of not having those extra layers.

In Taras Shevchenko Park I past some time watching an old man’s game of chess, it was pretty intense.  Two older men focus on the game and playing against the clock.
Each time they moved a chess piece they would instantaneously slam the button on the clock to indicate they had taken their turn.  I guess, if a game is worth while playing, you might as well play to win.

I’ve got a couple of blisters to remind me of Kiev, as I must have walked over 50 miles whilst I have been here.  If you mapped my walk I think I must have covered some big parts of this great place.

For a late lunch I stopped by a newly found restaurant under the shadows of Saint Sophia Cathedral, this time I tried vareniki with homemade cheese, truly scrumptious, and of course with a local beer,  Vareniki is actually stuff dumplings, cheese in my case, that are fried in butter.

One of my favorite things to track down in cities is street art, and Kiev is amazing for this.

I leave Kiev with a heavy heart, this place is fantastic.  Come here if you can.