Kiev's Morning commute

On an early run today, it struck me how much Kyiv flavor one gets just observing the morning commute. 

The highlights:

Colorful: while in winter, Kyiv's a sea of black coats, the bright spring skies are now complemented by a serious range of outfit colors and patterns

Denim Loving: it's everywhere and all over.... 

Loads of acid wash....

(it's not dead - just moved to Ukraine!)

And, no one lives by the only on top OR on bottom denim rule...

(But let's be honest, as far as I can tell, people are not constricted by any fashion rules here!)

Man-iform: if its not acid wash day, the man outfit of choice appears to be black pants and a short sleeve button down

(note the 'Murse'!)

Comfortable in one's skin: you don't need to have it to flaunt it here. There's a real freedom to wear what you like regardless of shape. 

(Frankly I think it's commendable.  A bit of a "screw you Vogue")

And no shirt, no problem!

(At least he has pants on - unlike some of the construction workers across the street from us)

Casual: While I usually think of Kyiv as somewhat dressy - today's commute put that generality to question...

Getting a Quick fix: the morning bustle is accented with pockets of people getting their morning fix. Coffee and cigarettes on every corner thanks to the mobile coffee trucks abound

The one I stopped at recognizes the connection between caffeine and happiness 

And of course your morning beer....

(Shot taken at 8:30 am!)

Thanks to the beer stands around places like the bus stop!

(Again a morning shot)

Connected:  I thought it was bad in the States, but damn - everyone is on the phone here

Even the nun! 

(She appeared to be texting. What has the world come to?!)

Here's hoping your morning gets off to a good start. Don't forget to Take your smile!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy (belated) Mother's Day!

With the low birth rate here (only 1.2 children / woman in Ukraine vs. 2.4 in the world), there aren't that many kids running around.  

Thus, kids are often outnumbered by adults......

AND must be how they find the time for such elaborate hair styles

(bad picture - but note the braid - and this at the end of the day after swimming class)

(the previous Prime Minister inspires with her braid)

AND is maybe why the Babushkas feel the need to 'co-parent' / offer unsolicited advice (you WILL be reprimanded if your child is not bundled for the Arctic Oct-April)


AND is maybe why they don't celebrate Mother's Day here (Women's Day in March honors all women - kids or not).

That said, we kept the holiday alive - with lunch out.  And while the country doesn't celebrate Mother's Day, the restaurants totally get Mothers.  Many have play areas for kids.

  
The one we went to even had hired entertainment..

(Clearly need to work on our 'Stranger Danger' lessons.  His opening line was 'want a piece of candy kids?'  They all ran up to participate)

And best yet, Logan & the kids gift - purging the kids old clothes & toys.  After 2 years without Salvation Army drops we were bursting at the seams.

So here's to Mothers - whether you can french braid or not, you have a 24/7 job that requires constant problem solving, multi-tasking & negotiation with no compensation and little room for advancement.  You deserve a restaurant with a play area today.

Cheers to the Mothers!

Happy Victory Day!

May is chop full of holidays in Kiev.  May 1 was Labor day, May 5 Orthodox Easter & today we are celebrating Victory Day!

Victory Day marks the day when Germany surrendered from WW2.  Today it means no work, no school, a parade & veterans around the city.....

(In Soviet times, attending the parade was mandatory)   

We headed to the Motherland statue - the base of which is a WW2 Memorial - to check out the  festivities 

The place was packed with people honoring those who fought

Giving veterans flowers.....

(With the dwindling population of veterans, flower givers often had to wait their turn)

And outwardly showing their spirit....

But like anything in Kyiv, there was no clear dress standard & the range of outfits was wide.  2 I enjoyed....
Sexy Lady look:

Expressive Man look:

(bad shot - but his t-shirt reads "BEDucated" in English!)

3 cheers to Victory Day - here's to a world with no weapons & using our words to solve problems.  Peace out!

Insiders Italy

Last minute (once my passport was released from the residency permit process), we booked a trip to Italy for Spring Break - prompted by our goal to get to our friends' (the Belli's) house near Bologna.

Flying on Hungary's low cost carrier - Wizz Air (think Southwest without the friendly personnel) - got us to Milan directly.  A few hours later (not short hours - I suspect the shorter your kids, the longer the car hours), we arrived in their village of Marola.  

Having only been in urban Italy before, I was surprised how lush & green is was....

We had a fab time hanging out with Clara, Paolo & Gio and so enjoyed an 'insiders view' of their area.  

Highlights included, a trip to the Parmigiano Regiano cheese factory.....

(the kids distracted by the cheesy smell!)

A hike around an amazing lake....

(We weren't entirely prepared for the snow still on the ground - I'm not sure my lecture 'now you will listen next time I suggest you pack layers' sunk in - but one has to try)  

And some fantastic meals...including these amazing donut like things served with cheese, meat etc

And pizza I can't stop dreaming about....

(Zoe guarding 'hers')

Best of all was the fun hanging out....jumping...

worm & bug catching.....

Housing their new friends in construction vehicles....

A whole fleet of them....

(Thanks Belli's for showing us good times & guiding us to more Italian adventures)


From there, we road tripped to Florence & a small coastal town (Follonica) with a quick stop in Pisa along the way.

Among those, Quincy reported Pisa was his favorite due to the allure of the leaning tower.. 

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that you CAN climb up it again (was closed for ~12 years to stabilize).  The boys & I headed up.....

(while Xavier can pass for 8, that's a stretch for Zoe)

And dang - you could really feel the tilt in the climb!

Zoe & Xavier reported their favorite was the beach - likely due to the time to just screw around...playing in the sand.....

hurling sand balls at each other....

(yes, our boys who consider sweat pants both clothes AND pajamas, also wear them as beach attire)

and burying one another....

(kind of a scared looking happy, no?!)

With fond memories, pink cheeks & slightly smaller clothes, we returned home with a load of Italian delicacies......

As well as a taste of home to get us through to summer....

(Yes, we have LOADS of crackers here, but 'they just aren't the same' according to Q.  Considering our frequency of hauling brownie mix, frosting & cake sprinkles, we can hardly protest)

Here's to Spring Break & hoping the worm & bug catching passion didn't make it back with us too