Kiev - NOT the home of "chicken Kiev" .....

Hello

Nearly at the end of my week in Kiev (or Kyiv as it is written here).  The weather has been stable and mild and so lots of opportunities to walk around.  Yes, finally back into the swing of walking again after two jobs that were rather sedentary.   

So far "Mary's Masterclasses" have been attended by all 27 students on every day ....  Last night's (Wednesday) ended with a round of applause - which is encouraging and sad in equal measures since the lecture for the evening was "FORM FILLING"!! 

My Ukrainian is progressing at a dead snail's pace - so far I can do "thank you", "no", "yes" and "goodbye" and, of course, "marvellous" ....  Recognising more words but they don't seem to be attaching themselves to receptive brain cells.  This is a problem if you are taking jobs that travel around the world.....

The television in the apartment has over 130 channels - yet I still haven't managed to find one in a language that I can understand.  I was amused by one of the channels that appeared to be all about business and the economy - yet its name is "pervy delovey" ....

Food, so far, has been very good - last night was a grilled chicken and pork with roasted vegetables and tiny potatoes.  Not sure what this evening will bring.

Today was also the day for sightseeing - and Alina (from the office) had arranged for me to go on a tour around the city.  Despite a city that goes back for many centuries, many of the buildings have been rebuilt to the original designs.

This statue is supposed to bring luck - you touch different (specificed) parts of the statue and it give you health, wealth and/or happiness wishes.  We shall see!

Alina and I walked around the arts part of the city - a glimpse of the house where Mikhail Bulgakov lived ("Master and Margarita").  This area is being renovated and the main road is in pieces.  The cobbles are "interesting" and probably form filling-worthy in the winter months.  There is an incline which leads to the witches' steps - and Alina was reluctant to take me there (even if it would be home from home).  Hence no photos!

The Opera House is the same design as the Paris Opera House but this one was first (a fact that I haven't checked but the tour guide was adamant that it was first!). 

                                                   

As you walk along the main street, the next influential building is Vladimiskiy Cathedral - a rather canary yellow cathedral with seven domes.  A wedding party were just arriving as I arrived, so no chance to go inside. 

The Golden Gate, the site of the first entrance to the city, is the next major landmark.  Originally built in the 11th century, it had been destroyed by 1240.  The photos are from the 1980s reconstruction which is supposed to be faithful to the original. 

           

Then it's on to St Sophia's Cathedral; this one built in 1031. 

Then you cross the courtyard - past the man on horseback (Bogdan Khmelnitsky - who lead the defeat of the Poles) and towards the statue of Princess Olha flanked by Saints Cyril, Methodius and Andrew and through the entrance to St Andrew's Cathedral/Monastery.

And then, on a more random note, the University - it is allegedly painted this colour because "it is painted with the blood sweated out by the students at the university ....."

Back in the UK on Monday - for a while it seems - so no more excuses, the decorating must be completed!!

M