Friday in Kyiv and heading to Chernivtsi

We woke up early and Yuriy came to get our luggage at 10 in the van. We immediately went to Double Coffee for breakfast, where I sent some emails to Dad, Spencer, and Uncle J. Trying to create the correct balance of coffee, hot water, and cream/milk is always interesting. Mom ordered a French Press and enjoyed it. After that we walked to went to Maydan and initiated the walking tour, past the Presidential Administration Building, the Rada, the Maryinsky Palace, and through the park.

The Maryinsky Palace:

Here is the House of Chimeras:

Cute poochie overlooking the Dnipro.

Then we walked Khreshchatyk bc we had seen the churches the day before. We had coffee and tea at an Austrian café through the arches on Kreshcatik, where we also discovered the Gucci and Louis Vuitton stores. The bakeries were each making Easter cakes and creating fun and huge edible Easter eggs.

We re-enagaged the walking tour, heading to St, Volodmyr’s, The church was in the middle of their Good Friday service, which was nice. Mom and Sandy and Britt bought some icons. Then we started walking again, in the rain, heading to Taras Schevchenko Park. We saw the blood red university building that Tsar Nicholas I had painted in 1901 in response to students protests against army conscription. Very striking building, and I imagine that he made his point.

Then we walked towards the Bassarabka Market, where we passed the Lenin statue.

The Bessarabka Market/Rynok was full of interesting things to look at. We bought some dried mango, nuts, and what was thought was dried pineapple but turned out to be ginger.

Then we tried to find Varenichnaya #1 but had trouble. We ended up getting in 2 cabs bc they wouldn’t take 5 people, and then the cab drivers tried to fleece us for 70 UAH to drive us a few blocks. Still too much. Varenichnaya #1 was great. We were greeted by the famous pig, and then checked out the menu of the 25 different varenykys. We ordered much of the same stuff we had eaten the night before and once again, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We also liked their pet pig.

After that we metroed over to Kreshchatyk, buying a scarf in the metro along the way. Then we shopped along the main street. We had planned to go to Buddha Bar but since we weren’t wearing appropriate shoes w were turned away. Oh well. We had some Georgian wine at a café/bar close by and then went to meet Yuriy at the McDonalds on Maydan. We arrived at the train station and didn’t realize we were about to begin a new adventure. We could not find track 23. The main terminal just has 1-14. Where was 23? I couldn’t find anyone who spoke English. Through a bunch of fancy communcaition tactics, we finally figured out that our train was in a totally different part of the vogzol. I was very nervous about missing this train bc all the other trains were sold out for Easter. Plus, Chip was planning to meet us in Khmelniski at 4:24 AM, when our train arrived. The train heading into Khmelniski was the close train I could get to Chernivtsi. All flights booked as well.

We made it, as you can see, and sure enough, I knew it was just too cheap to be true. 8 tickets cost $30USD..way too inexpensive to have 2 sleeping compartments, but I couldn’t communicate with the lady and plus I had no choice but to buy them a week and a half ago bc there was no other way to get to Chernivtsi. We were in a big train car, with bright lights and lots of other people…spread out across 8 seats, from 10:22PM to 4:24AM. Oh well. Mom and I talked until about 1:30AM and then we tried to sleep a little but that didn’t work out so well. At 4:24, the train arrived and Chip was there to pick us up in the van.

We drove the 3 hours to Chernivtsi and I was able to sleep a little. Sun rise was pretty...

We arrived at the flat around 8:15 or so and now we’re taking showers, getting settled, etc. It was nice to introduce everyone to the flat. Three floors and no lift, that is correct, folks.

Big Easter celebrations coming up tonight! Evidently everything takes place in the middle of the night here…the blessing of the baskets, the services, etc. Happy Easter!