This morning we ate the breakfast food we'd bought at the supermarket where we'd stopped last night. This store was more similar to what we have at home, though many bins of food sat open, unlike all of our "sneeze guard" protected bulk foods. We took a couple of pictures while in there until the security guard came by, frowned and told us to put the cameras away. Vika made sure to recommend the best Ukrainian vodka. After breakfast we took a taxi to Vika's office (when the driver saw my ostrich feathers, he called us "Queens", and treated us so!) After a visit to Vika's journalist office, we collected our luggage Oleg brought for us when he drove in to the city for his University class. Luckily, we were across the street from the bus station and we had some help from Vika's office friend.
From there we took a 5 hour bus ride to Kiev, watching a Russian television series that reminded me of the movie Arthur; the dissolute rich boy falls for a peasant girl, but she straightens him out. Finally, we took one last taxi ride from the bus to the heart of the city. What a stunning view in the afternoon sun, with the gleaming church domes.
Once at the hotel (not the friendliest staff and less than stellar accommodations), we went down to the coffee shop for a bite before exploring the downtown. With no rain in site, we walked and walked around the main streets: Lenin's monument, Shevchenko in the park, lovely churches and plenty of wonderful shopping. The afternoon light was extraordinary, and the golden church domes were glorious. We even indulged in having our pictures taken in 19th century outfits next to an old fashioned carriage in the central plaza. What silly fun! Then more walking down to the side of the hill overlooking the main river and then swung back toward the hotel as the sun set.
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