Dnipro Hotel Kiev

... and students and teachers are so excited to show me, I have already been to see them 4 times; each time they are prettier. With autumn in full swing, the changing leaves are more beautiful than I can describe...leaves falling, rainy days, reds, oranges and breath on the air...perfect in my world.

The first day at my new school, I gave 3 presentations about who I am and why am I in Ukraine...all in Ukrainian. It was interesting and scary, but it turned out all right. I ...

We met with the Vice-Director of the adoption program yesterday. We were promised a quick second appointment to see what children are available for adoption. We still have not been given this second appointment. She said there is a backlog of families waiting for appointments. There are ...

... then were shown around the garden/farm where we sampled all their ripening fruit and were introduced to the animals - loads of chickens, a dog, and a cat that had given birth to four kittens so recently that they still couldn't open their eyes. That evening upon Pasha's return the entire extended family sat down in the garden for a big BBQ of shashlyk (meat kebabs), and a fair few rounds of 'welcoming' vodka shots...


We awoke (late) the following ...

We made breakfast in the apartment, grilled ham sandwiches, the toaster didn't work! We begin our walk looking for St. Sophia Cathedral Monastery, this is the oldest stone made Kiev Church. It was built in the 11th century. Prince Yaroslav Mudry is buried here. This is now a museum. The doors are gold in colour, a beautiful alter area with incredible fresco pictures on all the walls arches and ceiling. Sorry no pictures here. Then through the ...

... s escaped punishment and that the agency nev** kept them informed about their cases. Though the Peace Corps has no authority to prosecute people in foreign countries, it can and has pressured foreign prosecutors and hired local attorneys to represent volunte**s. Without such assistance, cases can easily be forgotten in third world criminal justice systems, and oth** volunte**s are put at risk - not only from the same attack**s but also from the p**ception that ...

... city was out in the plaza in front of where the Gen'l Lee was docked. Kids on roller blades and riding go karts where everywhere while some local adults were participating in Ukrainian dancing. We visited the Lavidia palace where the famed Yalta conference took place between Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill during WWII. This palace was an old summer residence of the Tsar. The final stop on the river cruise was a sail across ...

... up late in the night to listen to my Ipod and got yelled at. I was so mad, I almost said," Look, buddy, I paid the same price as you and if your friend can saw away over there then I can dance in the middle of the room if I want to." But I didn't because I am practicing keeping my cool, which is a new thing for me and I quite like it. Kristen got a cot that was on the back balcony. It was an old cot and everytime she moved another wood slat fell out ...

... and the translations aren't always exact. The word for cave in Ukrainian might not be even close to the English word. Yes, I realize that as a visitor in the country I should have basics of the language down but it would be beneficial for many people to have just a few signs in English. But I will stop my ranting and raving and move on to happier things. Kiev is a nice city in parts. For example the main square is wonderful. It's where the Orange Revolution ...

... cold is only part of the issue; all of the buildings are just tall enough to block out the sun. Some are parisian style while others are soviet pieces of **** that you hope will fall down soon. One lovable thing about the city is the slight lack of planning. Most major cities have very strict building and safety codes that take away from the charm of having tree roots mangling a sidewalk on a steep street. Kyiv really is quite charming in that manner. The ...

... to the LP, if you are going to the Lavra, make sure it's not on the weekend. In the Lower Lavra, there are a couple of churches but the real reason for being here are the caves with the mummified monks. Once inside, the Ukis stop at every coffin and picture, and the kiss it and cross themselves, whilst we just look for the hands or feet that are showing, which you do get to see on quite a few of them. In the caves, as a tourist, you are only ...