A Fresh look

Our dear friends – the Scheidelmans – came to visit last week.  We had a fantastic time, so appreciate them coming AND got to see Kyiv through 3 fresh sets of eyes.  


The things that struck them as ‘culturally significant’…….

Congestion & Crazy Driving: traffic is fairly common and can be brutal – exasperated by lack of concern for ‘blocking the box’ & rules requiring that you do not move your vehicle after an accident (2 squished cars in the middle of the road is a common sight). 

Just today en route to the airport 2 big fancy cars started driving down the blocked off lane under construction and proceeded to honk at the road construction vehicle in attempt to get by!

Cool Metro Stations: While the Metro rides do subject you to a protocol of serious shoving (Carol & John missed a stop not being pushy enough to get out), you are rewarded with super deep stations with cool architectural elements AND abundant in-station shopping!

Haves & ‘Have Nots’: The 2 tier society is omni-present.  Housing is a visible example….on the same street you have enormous, elaborate houses finished with ultra-high end materials (this one, under construction must be ~8,000 sq. ft)

 AND shack like homes or big Soviet style apartment complexes

Stiletto Skills: Little attention appears to be paid to common areas – as evidenced by the abysmal quality of the sidewalks.  Additionally, no 2 stairs in a staircase are the same height or depth….combined these add up to a need to proceed with awareness and caution. 

But somehow, these circumstances do not drive the ladies into Ecco and Rockports....

...ultra-high heels still prevail and do not appear to pose any problem for Ukrainian women

Variable Prices: Like in many developing countries, most prices are grey and negotiable, and – of course – significantly higher for foreigners.  We took a cab ½ way across town for 60uah after some serious negotiations (in my broken Russian).  The return trip home was about 2x the distance – but given the taxi was arranged by a local, cost only 48uah. 

Abundant Beer Availability: Beer at the mall food court is novel for sure (below).  

But here you are hard pressed to find a place where beer is not available.  

Museum snack stands (above), bus stop kiosks, and metro stops…..while it’s not always all that cold, you are never more than a few steps from a brew.

So here’s to adventuresome friends & appreciating the novelty through fresh eyes.

THANKS FOR COMING SCHEIDELMANS!!!!!