2008-08. Trip to Kiev in the Ukraine, page 1.
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I visited Kiev for some days in August 2008. These are a selection of my photos from that trip. The capital of the Ukraine is a fascinating city, a huge and dynamic blend of old and new, of run-down and beautiful. Among the most spectacular sights is St. Andrew's Church, built by the famous architect Rastrelli. |
...In contrast to which stand enormous neighbourhoods of communist era- and modern highrises. Flowing between old and new is the Dnieper river, which empties into the Black Sea after covering another thousand kilometers towards the south. |
Meeting and seeing the people of Kiev was the most interesting part of my journey. Often, it happened at one of the many markets strewn around the city, where gentlemen like this cactus-seller ply their trade. |
Let us go back in time, however, since my trip to Kiev started the evening before I arrived in the capital. It began in Lviv railway station, where I boarded the sleeper train. |
Lulled into a good long sleep by the regular movements of the train along the tracks, I woke up next morning to bucolic views of the Ukrainian country-side. Still a few hours away from Kiev. |
From surrounding towns the local population travels to the capital by bus and train. |
Finally I reach the big city. Railroad tracks multiply and bulky locomotives maneuver alongside ours. |
The station is impressive, a foretaste of what awaits me in Kiev. Big dimensions, big crowds, the hustle and bustle of a metropolis. |
Wide boulevards, grandiose buildings, churches and blocks of flats in the distance. The view from the bell tower of Saint Sophia Cathedral. |
But also much greenery, especially down by the river banks. The first couple of days I lived in Hotel Slavutych, seen in the upper right-hand corner. |
The Dnieper is not just any river, but the third largest of Europe, and it shows. |
On my first day I stumbled upon a market and flower fair near the river. It was good to see the locals mill about and enjoy themselves on a warm summer evening. |
Homemade honey of many varieties is for sale, as well as seeds, tomatoes and gardening magazines. |
You can even buy your likeness (well, more or less) for a few hryvna's. |
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