Many aspects were as you'd expect....
Well guarded
Even the new guards focus on security - with bag checks & pat downs....
That said, the sense of humor I'm guessing is new....
(a picture on the guard house window)
McMansion
People with money here generally like to show it. So it wasn't too surprising to find the main house quite BIG....
At first glance, the quaint chalet style was surprising (more typical to see drippy, opulence), but once around to the other side, the grandeur became more blatant....
Opulent decor
Alas, the interior 100% reflected the expected.
Gold gilded stair case...
Carved furniture....
(note the smoking table - appears a chimney to suck the fumes out)
In-laid floors, fancy finery....
My fave, a golden toilet brush...
(while you couldn't go into the buildings, the drapes were intentionally open to display the lavishness)
While we expected big & over the top opulence, the most shocking part was the dramatic contrast to the rest of Ukraine....
A typical Ukrainian apartment building & courtyard park....
Typical state of the roads...
Typical crumbling stairs
You pretty much always have to watch where you walk.
Meanwhile, at Viktor's house:
Perfect pavement...
Decorative sidewalks....
Fancy light posts AND the first road mirror I've ever seen in this country
It's now clear where the state infrastructure budget is going....
But even more in-your-face, budget breaking:
His own golf course
His own 'boat' dining hall
His own zoo
With a whole section of exotic birds
The contrast is what made it so sickening:
While the people of his nation live like this...
His ducks live like this......
But the good times at the palace came to an abrupt end - Viktor fled due to fear for his life.
Maybe a bit more subtlety next time?
Meanwhile, we are busily packing up our own palace of sorts. Feeling the pain of a 40' container of stuff, we just need to take a deep breath & do like Zoe - prioritize
Here's to appreciating humble
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