Katherine and I flew to Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine. The Ukraine is no longer part of the USSR, however they are very closely associated with all things Russia. They are very clear that since they are located so geographically "close" to Russia, their interests are aligned are with Russia, and not with the West. They are totally dependent on Russia for their energy needs. I have travelled to Russia on several occasions. Even though the tour agents will act "user friendly" to American tourists there is a two tier price system - one for USSR and the other for non USSR tourists. For instance, the last time I was in St Petersburg I stayed in a 5 star hotel, the Astoria. I feel that I was probably in the worst possible room in the hotel; in the moring, there was a huge breakfast buffet with caviar and champagne that was made available for the Russians and it was priced with the room; on the other side of the lobby, there was a breakfast room with two Americans, two Brits, and one French couple ordering off the a la carte menu for $50 per person!! I have to bury my negotiation sensibilites, and realize that this is the way it is, and accept it. This was the same feeling I had in Kiev, but not to the extreme.
A little history of Kiev -
It is the capital of the Ukraine with 2.6 million people paying taxes, and another 2.0 million not paying taxes. (this is one reason the country could not qualify for EU admittance). Home of high tech industries, higher education institutions, and the country is rich in natural minerals. It is the cultural center of Eastrn Europe and one of the oldest cities. It started as a Slavic settlement on the great trade route between Scandinavia and Constantinople. It was siezed by the Vikings in mid 9th century. The city subsequently was the capital of Russia. It was completely destroyed during the Mongol invasion in 1240. It was controlled by Lithuania, Poland and Russia. From 1921 Kiev was an important city of the Ukranian Soviet Socialist Republic. After WWII it was part of the USSR. Since 1991 the Ukraine has been independent. WWII the city suffered significant damage, and was occupied by the Nazi's 1941 -1943. 600,000 Soviet soldiers were killed in the Battle of Kiev in 1941. Kiev is located on both sides of the Drieper River.
Current political issues as seen from an American's eyes.......
Yulia Tymoshenko prime minister 2005-2010 is currently in jail. She contested the election against Viktor Yanukovych. She won 45.5% of the votes and claims that the election was "rigged" , subsequently a number of criminal cases were charged against her with regard to illegal gas deals with Russia. Her husband has currently sought asylum in the Czech Republic. In 2007 she wrote an "anti-Russian" manifesto - wanting more independence from Russia. It angered Putin. She also opposed the introduction of Russian as a second official state language.
She is currently in prision. Most recently, the Ukraine passed a law that Russian is now allowed as a second official state language, giving the Russians more clout in the Ukraine. Currently Russian and Ukraine are spoken in Ukraine. Ukraine - 22% of the population speaks, 52% speak Russian, and 24% use both
There are protests all over Kiev. They are protesting the imprisionment of Yulia Tomoshenko, and the passage of the Russian language mandate. (You may recall Yulia Tomoshenko in the press - she is a strikingley beautiful blonde with a long braid that she has twisted on her head)
The locals appear unemployed with too much time on their hands. There is an abundance of late model very high end cars. (I haven't seen as many since I moved from London). The "Russian-Ukraine" mafia is currently running the "legitimate" businesses. There is high unemployment, and no apparent middle class. All of the sites that we visited do not have any one at the cash register who speaks English.(even at the declared two UNESCO sites) If you don't speak Russian or Ukraine you have to guess at the price of admission, what is included, and what the site includes. Several of the locals expressed that they were happier under the Soviet domination. They were all employed, there was no crime, the streets were safe, education was free. Of course there was unbridled censorship, but there seemed to be more advantages as they reflect upon it.
Kiev is a gorgeous city, it has a very deep heritage, and it is not necessary to obtain a visa to enter. I would suspect in the current econmic environment Kiev and the Ukraine will re-establish its Russian roots.
Kiev, St. Andrews Church. Kiev is all Ukranian Orthodox
St Sophia's Church Kiev - one of two UNESCO heritage sites in Kiev
Kiev Pechersk Lavra Monastary of the Caves. The Second UNESCO Heritage Site in Kiev. 
St. Vladimer's Church in Kiev.
Communist Era Children's Play Park in Kiev.
Independence Square. Goddess -Protector Berehynia
The people of Kiev
Tooth pick sculpture
Communist era cafe, still decorated from that era, and very popular with the locals.
If you visit Kiev in winter, cozy cafes are perfect places to save yourself from cold. There is very snowy and frosty weather. Just find a place in a directory of Kiev cafes to have a shelter, warm atmosphere and taste Ukrainian food. But in Ukraine Travel guide you will find much more then cafes. There is everything for comfortable Ukraine tourism including hotels, apartments, bars, pubs, taxis etc.
ReplyDelete