I really enjoyed Ukraine. It may not be the prettiest place in the world. It's kinda dirty and very industrial. There are a lot of really massive, run-down Soviet era type buildings throughout the city. Oh, and don't get me started about the women. There are so many beautiful women in Ukraine, but do they have to dress like 80's strippers? Ooo. Was that too harsh?

Despite my first impressions, the city grew on me. I give them major props. It's a country that's in transition, and they seem to be doing a good job of becoming more cosmopolitan. All the people I met and worked with were friendly, kind, and courteous. The food was hearty and delicious. The churches beautiful, and the art pretty. Plus, I had fun meeting new people.

Anyhow, I tried to take pictures of the prettier parts of Kyiv. =)

I love the architecture of the churches and monasteries in Kyiv.




Kyiv is a hilly city. This is the view of the Dniper River from the top of the hill.


Another monastery.


For work, we visited a dormitory for single women. They were housed in a 1930's home. That day the power had gone out and so we had our meeting in a dark, unlit room. This is the stove that they use at the dorm.


Random home near the dormitory.


National Opera House. These are 2 Korean ajushis who I met in front of the Opera House while I was waiting to see the opera Norma. The one on the right is a president of a Korean company. They wanted me to take a picture of them. haha.


A woman leaving the church.


I went to a random concert and met the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. haha.. Sweet. Too bad I look crappy. It was a long day, and I had rushed from work to get to the concert on time.


I also saw Alice and Al unexpectedly at the same concert. I had met them at the MTW church plant in Kyiv, which I attended. They've been there for 12 years working with the elderly. So inspiring!! I also met a family at the same church who have been in Kyiv for the last month waiting to adopt two older Ukrainian boys. Sooo, soooo inspiring.


Boat tour - Kyiv in the evening.


Yummy!




Inside the metro.


Ukrainian Art


Ukrainian Folk Village - Like the Minsokchon in Korea. haha.

 

Chernobyl - I got a healthy dose of radiation this day. These are contaminated "dirty" vehicles. Our tour guide said that many of these vehicles were sold to the Chinese as scrap metal, which releases toxins when melted. SCARY. More reason not to buy Chinese products?



Abandoned homes. You can see the trees growing inside many of these homes.

Reactor number 5 & 6. They were being constructed when the accident occurred 20 years ago and was never finished.

Reactor #4. The one that leaked. There's still fuel in there. Apparently only 7-10% of it nuclear radiation leaked that day.

Umm, I was really questioning why I wanted to visit Chernobyl at this point in the tour. Normal is 0.10-0.13.

An abandoned amusement park.

An abandoned hotel.

The top floor of the inside of the abandoned hotel. The tour guide said when he first started doing these tours, this tree was only about a foot tall.




Making sure we haven't been contaminated.


All in all...an adventurous and fun trip. Next time, I'd love to travel down to Crimea. I heard it's very naturey and quite beautiful.

I was sitting in on a conference call to the Ukraine today, and instead of saying "Yes, yes" I said "Sí, Sí" in Spanish. Haha. Oops. Luckily, we all laughed it off and went our merry way.

Today was oh so busy. I like my work alot but every once in awhile I have a really challenging day.

Going to Perspectives definitely made up for all the craziness I went thru earlier in the day. I felt reenergized and refocused after class. :] Why?

Cuz as I was driving to class, I saw the pope coming down the street. Well, I lie. I didn't actually see the pope, just his motorcade, but he was in there somewhere. I also didn't realize I was passing by the Vatican embassy every week until today. hahaha. I can't believe he's here in DC.

Why else, you ask? Cuz I was able to reconnect with a classmate who hasn't shown up in awhile. Now, this guy has a fun job...he's an award-winning TV reporter in the local area.  Cool, eh? And he's hecka friendly and "young" like me. mwahaha. I laugh cuz I'm still "young", right? =].

On a more personal note....my lil doggie Romeo was put to sleep a couple days ago. It was tough knowing that he was in so much pain the last few months. Really tough. I miss him alot...I miss Juliet too. ::DEEP SIGH::