It Was Love at First Sight

Before leaving for Kiev, I was confident I would enjoy this city and almost certain that Michael would as well. But I was completely caught off guard that the moment we exited the customs terminal I was already head over heels in love with the city, and my feelings grew stronger and stronger with each new thing I laid my eyes on. Don't let me fool you though, the airport wasn't the best, the cleanest, the newest or even the nicest airport I have been in. In fact, it was probably closer to the ugliest, darkest, depressing one. It was a big concrete cold feeling building, packed with travelers and those waiting for them and a hoard of people outside smoking. But this gave me peace and a overall sense of familiarity, which I loved. Finally, I was back in Eastern Europe.

We immediately saw my name on a sign held by our private driver to take us to the hotel. The ride to town was great. We drove through the tall trees in the forest, the high rise apartment buildings that were so run down and old, we crossed the big bridge with a great view of the river and the hills of Kiev, we passed through areas of big houses, cemeteries selling bright colored flowers, and fancy well kept apartment buildings.

"Hotel Sonya" called to me when I ran across it online. It was more of an apartment rental run like a hotel. We booked an apartment called "Lora", which after looking at online looked cute and big, but nothing special. We were surprised when they let us in our apartment and we saw that it had been completely remodeled since the pictures were taken that were on the website. It was beautiful and renamed, "Yoshiko". I'm sure you can guess that it was a Japanese inspired apartment that was so nicely done. After our little tour of our apartment by the lady that checked us in our mouths hung open for about 10 minutes by how nice this apartment was. On top of the amazing room, they brought us breakfast each morning to as part of the price. We got to pick what we wanted to eat each day and they showed up on the minute that we requested it. nice! We will definitely be staying here again.

As for the city, I am totally enamored by Kiev. No words, descriptions, pictures, thoughts or reflections could possibly start to explain this city. I think my "bible" (Lonely Planet) said it best; "It (Kiev) puts the foreign back into European travel and acts as an antidote to an increasingly over explored, identikit world." I couldn't agree more or say it any better. You nailed it Lonely Planet.

The most shocking part of this trip for me, was that Kiev easily became my second favorite city to date and we didn't even get a chance to scratch the surface. The second most shocking thing to me, was that Michael was just as taken with this city as I was. We'll be back here again, I have no doubt.

A few pictures to wet your palette until I get the rest online

Pretty Tulips

Street Scene

Former Soviet Leaders and Ukrainian Supporters of the Communist Party
celebrating Labor Day on May Day
In the news photo 1
In the news photo 2

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