Well it was harder than I thought to get Internet access but we found this lovely cafe in Kiev that has free Internet access and great Micro Brews!
The plane ride from Munich to Kiev was uneventful but if you ever fly internationally I recommend Luftfansa they were great, much better then our domestic airlines.
The real fun started when we landed in Kiev. The Airport was in Shambles far different then that of America or Munich. Dirty, unorganized and an unsafe feeling. we paid for VIP status through Customs which costs $50 per person. I thought it would help things go faster but I never expected to go through customs with in minutes and not have to speak to a single authoritative person or have our luggage checked. We walked right through security got our bags and walked out. I exchanged some money into Ukraine at the airport. Currency exchange rates are posted like a gas station posts the price of fuel. Our Driver was very nice Name of Janesh or that is as close as we could understand. He helped me exchange money. The unnerving thing was I had to leave Heidi and Jackie alone while I exchanged money. As I mentioned the place felt unsafe and there were multiple people that approached them while I was gone. Mostly asking to provide various services. I can not communicate the dilapidated condition of the airport or the parking area. It seemed nonfunctional. We got to the car had a heck of a time fitting our luggage into the car. Feeling like a car at the circus full of clowns we took the 45 min drive to Kiev. along the way the Highway system was good multiple lanes and Billboards galore. Driving into Kiev was a sight, how most of us would envision the reminisce of a communist/ socialist society. Dilapidated buildings all over, not unoccupied just run down beyond what we would consider livable in the states. Also not third world, in a category all its own with years of a struggling economy. There were new beautiful buildings along with the dilapidated ones and Historic landmarks of 1,000 years. It amazes me that in America we define old as a couple hundred years LOL! Fortunately we were in an apartment near Liberty Square right downtown in a safe area. The apartment was functional but not what we are accustomed too. If you know my wife you know that she is not a fan of germs. Thank the stars she had purchased a sleep sack for the trip. This evening Mon. night Jackie and I ventured out to find a grocery store. No Wal marts Here LOL! Walking down the streets of Kiev was awesome the hustle and bustle of people, everybody dressed to the nines! Although the women wore a bit less than appropriate. You do not cross the street in Kiev you go underneath it. Like a subway with out the train. In place of the train is a mass of stores and shopping malls under the street. Well after a mile we found the store and it was just food nothing else. We were watched like hawks by the store security and the store was only one Ilse and only one way. It was odd but we were able to get food, water and meet a couple of American women here for the peace corp. they were very helpful.
The plane ride from Munich to Kiev was uneventful but if you ever fly internationally I recommend Luftfansa they were great, much better then our domestic airlines.
The real fun started when we landed in Kiev. The Airport was in Shambles far different then that of America or Munich. Dirty, unorganized and an unsafe feeling. we paid for VIP status through Customs which costs $50 per person. I thought it would help things go faster but I never expected to go through customs with in minutes and not have to speak to a single authoritative person or have our luggage checked. We walked right through security got our bags and walked out. I exchanged some money into Ukraine at the airport. Currency exchange rates are posted like a gas station posts the price of fuel. Our Driver was very nice Name of Janesh or that is as close as we could understand. He helped me exchange money. The unnerving thing was I had to leave Heidi and Jackie alone while I exchanged money. As I mentioned the place felt unsafe and there were multiple people that approached them while I was gone. Mostly asking to provide various services. I can not communicate the dilapidated condition of the airport or the parking area. It seemed nonfunctional. We got to the car had a heck of a time fitting our luggage into the car. Feeling like a car at the circus full of clowns we took the 45 min drive to Kiev. along the way the Highway system was good multiple lanes and Billboards galore. Driving into Kiev was a sight, how most of us would envision the reminisce of a communist/ socialist society. Dilapidated buildings all over, not unoccupied just run down beyond what we would consider livable in the states. Also not third world, in a category all its own with years of a struggling economy. There were new beautiful buildings along with the dilapidated ones and Historic landmarks of 1,000 years. It amazes me that in America we define old as a couple hundred years LOL! Fortunately we were in an apartment near Liberty Square right downtown in a safe area. The apartment was functional but not what we are accustomed too. If you know my wife you know that she is not a fan of germs. Thank the stars she had purchased a sleep sack for the trip. This evening Mon. night Jackie and I ventured out to find a grocery store. No Wal marts Here LOL! Walking down the streets of Kiev was awesome the hustle and bustle of people, everybody dressed to the nines! Although the women wore a bit less than appropriate. You do not cross the street in Kiev you go underneath it. Like a subway with out the train. In place of the train is a mass of stores and shopping malls under the street. Well after a mile we found the store and it was just food nothing else. We were watched like hawks by the store security and the store was only one Ilse and only one way. It was odd but we were able to get food, water and meet a couple of American women here for the peace corp. they were very helpful.
sounds crazy!
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