Russia Trip

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Ukrain and Russia Trip

Kiev is the capital of Ukrain. We stayed there for three nights at the beginning of the trip.

Boryspil Airport in Kiev. Note the local spelling is Kyiv. Boryspil Airport in Kiev. Note the local spelling is Kyiv.	Sign on the highway as we left the airport. Sign on the highway as we left the airport.	Main building of Kyiv State University, originally St Volodymyr University, but renamed the Red University by Taras Shevchenko. Main building of Kyiv State University, originally St Volodymyr University, but renamed the Red University by Taras Shevchenko.	Small orthodox church. Small orthodox church.	Our first McDonald's sighting in Kiev Our first McDonald's sighting in Kiev
Store fronts Store fronts	Interesting building. Interesting building.	A prettier interesting building A prettier interesting building	Interesting building Interesting building	Not a typical resident, but interesting. Not a typical resident, but interesting.
Fifi at school in Ukrain Fifi at school in Ukrain	In Shevchenko Park across from the Red University In Shevchenko Park across from the Red University	In Shevchenko Park across from the Red University In Shevchenko Park across from the Red University	Taras Shevchenk Ukrainian National Opera House, rebuilt in 1901. The Neo-Renaissance design was by Victor Aleksandrovich Shreter. Taras Shevchenk Ukrainian National Opera House, rebuilt in 1901. The Neo-Renaissance design was by Victor Aleksandrovich Shreter.	Opera House facade detail Opera House facade detail
Another Opera House view with another nice building behind it Another Opera House view with another nice building behind it	Detail of building behind Opera House. Detail of building behind Opera House.	Cat up a tree. Lots of cat-themed stuff in Kiev. Cat up a tree. Lots of cat-themed stuff in Kiev.	Ruins of the 1500 year old Zolotie Vorota (golden gate) of Kiev, along with part of a restoration. This was the main entrance to the walled city of Kiev. Ruins of the 1500 year old Zolotie Vorota (golden gate) of Kiev, along with part of a restoration. This was the main entrance to the walled city of Kiev.	View of the outer part of the reconstructed wooden part of the golden gate. View of the outer part of the reconstructed wooden part of the golden gate.
Monument to Yaroslav the Wise Monument to Yaroslav the Wise	Monument to Yaroslav the Wise. He is holding a model of St Sophia Cathedral. Monument to Yaroslav the Wise. He is holding a model of St Sophia Cathedral.	Another shot of the monument to Yaroslav the Wise Another shot of the monument to Yaroslav the Wise	Walkway next to the Golden Gate Walkway next to the Golden Gate	Statue of Pantyusha, the good luck mascot of a nearby restaurant. Statue of Pantyusha, the good luck mascot of a nearby restaurant.
It is considered good luck to touch Pantysha as you walk by. It is considered good luck to touch Pantysha as you walk by.	Golden gate on the right, facing the street Golden gate on the right, facing the street	St. Sophia from up the road St. Sophia from up the road	Another view of St. Sophia from up the road Another view of St. Sophia from up the road	St. Sophia bell tower from the bus St. Sophia bell tower from the bus
St. Sophia bell tower St. Sophia bell tower	Plaza looking back from St Sophia Bell tower entrance Plaza looking back from St Sophia Bell tower entrance	St. Sophia historic plaque St. Sophia historic plaque	11th century Ukrainian Orthodox St. Sophia Cathedral, named after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (Constantinople.) Yaroslav the wise is buried here. 11th century Ukrainian Orthodox St. Sophia Cathedral, named after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (Constantinople.) Yaroslav the wise is buried here.	St. Sophia detail from outside of the walls. St. Sophia detail from outside of the walls.
Bell tower detail Bell tower detail	St. Sophia detail from outside of the walls. St. Sophia detail from outside of the walls.	St. Sophia detail from outside of the walls. St. Sophia detail from outside of the walls.	St. Sophia detail from outside of the walls. St. Sophia detail from outside of the walls.	St. Sophia detail from inside of the walls. St. Sophia detail from inside of the walls.
Inside of St. Sophia grounds. A gazebo? Inside of St. Sophia grounds. A gazebo?	St. Sophia bell tower St. Sophia bell tower	Bohdan Khmel'nytsky Monument by Mikhail Mikeshin. He led the uprising against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth magnates (1648–1654) with the goal of creating an independent Ukrainian state. Bohdan Khmel'nytsky Monument by Mikhail Mikeshin. He led the uprising against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth magnates (1648–1654) with the goal of creating an independent Ukrainian state.	Ukraine Foreign Ministry Ukraine Foreign Ministry	St. Sophia detail shot St. Sophia detail shot
Another detail shot Another detail shot	Strange doings at St. Sophia. My Guess: Ground penetrating radar for archeological research. Strange doings at St. Sophia. My Guess: Ground penetrating radar for archeological research.	St Sophia with clouds St Sophia with clouds		Just a street shot Just a street shot
Street shot near St. Sophia Street shot near St. Sophia	Mikhailovsky Cathedral from the bus Mikhailovsky Cathedral from the bus	Mikhailovsky Cathedral from the bus Mikhailovsky Cathedral from the bus	Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, dominated by The Great Bell Tower. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, dominated by The Great Bell Tower.
		Pechersk Lavra Bell Tower Pechersk Lavra Bell Tower	Pechersk Lavra Bell Tower Pechersk Lavra Bell Tower	Pechersk Lavra Bell Tower Pechersk Lavra Bell Tower
Unidentified monument Unidentified monument	City shot 1 City shot 1	City shot 2 City shot 2	City shot 3 City shot 3	City shot 4 City shot 4
City shot 5 City shot 5	Long telescopic shot from the bus Long telescopic shot from the bus	New hotel overlooking the river New hotel overlooking the river	102 meter tall Mother Motherland statue commemorating soviet victory on the WW2 eastern front. 102 meter tall Mother Motherland statue commemorating soviet victory on the WW2 eastern front.	Monument to the legendary 6th century Viking founders of Kyiv - brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv and sister Lybed. Monument to the legendary 6th century Viking founders of Kyiv - brothers Kyi, Shchek, Khoryv and sister Lybed.
	Babushka at the founders monument with a wedding party. Babushka at the founders monument with a wedding party.	Dnipro river Dnipro river	Another shot of the huge Mother Motherland statue Another shot of the huge Mother Motherland statue	Dnipro River Dnipro River
Founders monument and Mother Motherland statue. Founders monument and Mother Motherland statue.	Founders monument Founders monument	Founders monument. Note wedding flowers in auspicious position. Founders monument. Note wedding flowers in auspicious position.		Fifi on the bus Fifi on the bus
Unknown monument shot from the bus Unknown monument shot from the bus	Fast food monument Fast food monument	This McDonald's overlooks the river. This McDonald's overlooks the river.	Bilingual slogan Bilingual slogan	Unidentified church Unidentified church
Monument to Slavic goddess Berehynia, protector of Kiev, erected at Independence Square in 2001 Monument to Slavic goddess Berehynia, protector of Kiev, erected at Independence Square in 2001	Berehynia's Column in Independence Square Berehynia's Column in Independence Square	Monument to the patron saint of Ukraine, Archangel Michael, on top of the Polish Gate Monument to the patron saint of Ukraine, Archangel Michael, on top of the Polish Gate		Monument to 10th century Princess Olga, the first Rus ruler to adopt Christianity. Monument to 10th century Princess Olga, the first Rus ruler to adopt Christianity.
Saint Andrew's Church in the historic Podil neighborhood. Saint Andrew's Church in the historic Podil neighborhood.	Saint Andrew's was designed by Russian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Saint Andrew's was designed by Russian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.	St. Andrew's Church was built in 1747-1754 St. Andrew's Church was built in 1747-1754	St. Andrew's Church is on a steep street called Andriyivska Uzviz - "Andrew's Ascent" St. Andrew's Church is on a steep street called Andriyivska Uzviz - "Andrew's Ascent"	Pronya and Svirid. This monument was unveiled in 1999, and is dedicated to Pronya Prokopivna Sirkova and Svirid Petrovich Golokhvastov, characters of the 1961 movie "After Two Hares", which was set in Kiev. Pronya and Svirid. This monument was unveiled in 1999, and is dedicated to Pronya Prokopivna Sirkova and Svirid Petrovich Golokhvastov, characters of the 1961 movie "After Two Hares", which was set in Kiev.
Saint Andrew's Church Saint Andrew's Church	Saint Andrew's Church from the restaurant where we ate lunch Saint Andrew's Church from the restaurant where we ate lunch	The Podil neighborhood from the area near Saint Andrew's Church main entrance. The Podil neighborhood from the area near Saint Andrew's Church main entrance.	Andriyivsky Uzviz from Saint Andrew's Church Andriyivsky Uzviz from Saint Andrew's Church	Part of the city from the back of St. Andrew's Church. Part of the city from the back of St. Andrew's Church.
Another shot from St. Andrew's Church Another shot from St. Andrew's Church	Tourist stalls across the street from St. Andrew's Church Tourist stalls across the street from St. Andrew's Church	Ukrainian and Russian have the same word for dog - собака (pronounced "sobáka") Ukrainian and Russian have the same word for dog - собака (pronounced "sobáka")	Kiev street shot from the bus Kiev street shot from the bus	Street shot from the bus Street shot from the bus
Interesting unidentified building Interesting unidentified building	Same building from a different angle Same building from a different angle	Mother Motherland monument from the back Mother Motherland monument from the back	Gas prices in Ukrain. It looks like this gas station only has 98 octane (!) and it is UAH6.88 per liter. The exchange rate at the time was UAH4.6 per dollar, so it was about $1.50 per liter or $5.68 per gallon. Gas prices in Ukrain. It looks like this gas station only has 98 octane (!) and it is UAH6.88 per liter. The exchange rate at the time was UAH4.6 per dollar, so it was about $1.50 per liter or $5.68 per gallon.	Dinner at a traditional Ukranian restaurant. Note ресторан, pronounced "restorán," is Ukranian (and Russian) for restaurant. Dinner at a traditional Ukranian restaurant. Note ресторан, pronounced "restorán," is Ukranian (and Russian) for restaurant.
	We were treated to Ukranian and russian folk music before, during, and after dinner. We were treated to Ukranian and russian folk music before, during, and after dinner.	We saw a few accordians on this trip, none of them with piano style keyboards. We saw a few accordians on this trip, none of them with piano style keyboards.	Our dinner music Our dinner music
The restaurant garden The restaurant garden	A building behind the restaurant A building behind the restaurant	In the garden In the garden	Some little creature Some little creature	View from our hotel View from our hotel
Kiev Olympic Stadium as seen from our hotel room Kiev Olympic Stadium as seen from our hotel room	Telescopic shot from our hotel. Lots of interesting buildings like this in Kiev Telescopic shot from our hotel. Lots of interesting buildings like this in Kiev	Another interesting building shot from our hotel window Another interesting building shot from our hotel window	Street scene with signs in Cyrillic. The blue sign "АПТЕКА" is a pharmacy, pronounced "Apteka." The mini market next to McDonalds is spelled MIHI MAPKET, but pronounced the same as in English. Street scene with signs in Cyrillic. The blue sign "АПТЕКА" is a pharmacy, pronounced "Apteka." The mini market next to McDonalds is spelled MIHI MAPKET, but pronounced the same as in English.	The green sheds are garages The green sheds are garages
Blind beggar from the bus Blind beggar from the bus			Entering Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Monastery of the Caves - на печерах) through the "holy Gates" of the Gate Church of the Trinity. This is only one of many churches at the monastery. Entering Pechersk Lavra (Kiev Monastery of the Caves - на печерах) through the "holy Gates" of the Gate Church of the Trinity. This is only one of many churches at the monastery.	Gate Church detail Gate Church detail
Gate church detail Gate church detail	Gate Church detail Gate Church detail	Gate church detail. The church was founded by the grandson of the Prince of Chernigov Sviatoslav II, who became a Pechersk monk on November 17, 1106 Gate church detail. The church was founded by the grandson of the Prince of Chernigov Sviatoslav II, who became a Pechersk monk on November 17, 1106		Inside of Pechersk Lavra - Cathedral of the Dormition. The Dormition is the Orthodox version of the "Assumption" of Mary. Inside of Pechersk Lavra - Cathedral of the Dormition. The Dormition is the Orthodox version of the "Assumption" of Mary.
Pechersk Lavra Bell Tower Pechersk Lavra Bell Tower	Cathedral of the Dormition Cathedral of the Dormition	Cathedral of the Dormition Cathedral of the Dormition	Our local guide, Natasha. Our local guide, Natasha.	Cathedral of the Dormition Cathedral of the Dormition
Dormition Cathedral detail Dormition Cathedral detail	A bell at Pechersk Lavra. I don't remember if this bell is from the bell tower, but it would make sense. A bell at Pechersk Lavra. I don't remember if this bell is from the bell tower, but it would make sense.			Another Dormition (Uspensky) Cathedral shot. Another Dormition (Uspensky) Cathedral shot.
The top of the bell The top of the bell		Holy Dormition Cathedral. In Orthodox texts, death is often described as "falling asleep," so Dormition refers to the death and ascent to heaven of Mary. Holy Dormition Cathedral. In Orthodox texts, death is often described as "falling asleep," so Dormition refers to the death and ascent to heaven of Mary.
		A relic from one of the restored buildings at Pechersk Lavra A relic from one of the restored buildings at Pechersk Lavra
The Refectory Church (Трапезна Палата) of Pechersk Lavra The Refectory Church (Трапезна Палата) of Pechersk Lavra	Another shot of the Refectory Church Another shot of the Refectory Church	Worshipers at the church Worshipers at the church
The great bell tower The great bell tower		Rear view of the Dormition Cathedral. The Orthodox belief is that Mary's soul was received by Christ upon death; and that her body was resurrected and taken into heaven after three days, leaving an empty tomb. Rear view of the Dormition Cathedral. The Orthodox belief is that Mary's soul was received by Christ upon death; and that her body was resurrected and taken into heaven after three days, leaving an empty tomb.		Still at Pechersk Lavra. The Church of the Nativity of Our Lady (Left). Also the bell tower at the Far Caves (Center). Still at Pechersk Lavra. The Church of the Nativity of Our Lady (Left). Also the bell tower at the Far Caves (Center).
Church of the Exaltation of the Cross and the bell tower at the Near Caves. The river is the Dnipro. Church of the Exaltation of the Cross and the bell tower at the Near Caves. The river is the Dnipro.	More buildings at Pechersk Lavra More buildings at Pechersk Lavra	An exhibition building in the monastery An exhibition building in the monastery	Another shot of the Dormition Church from the back Another shot of the Dormition Church from the back	Dormition Church from the back Dormition Church from the back
Dormition Church from the back - crop1 Dormition Church from the back - crop1	Dormition Church from the back - crop2 Dormition Church from the back - crop2	Dormition Church from the back - crop3 Dormition Church from the back - crop3	Another shot of the Dormition Church from the back Another shot of the Dormition Church from the back	Walking down to the far caves Walking down to the far caves
Ukrainian tourist group Ukrainian tourist group	The Church of the Nativity of Our Lady (Left) and the bell tower at the Far Caves (Right). The Church of the Nativity of Our Lady (Left) and the bell tower at the Far Caves (Right).		Pechersk Lavra Refectory Church Pechersk Lavra Refectory Church	Pechersk Lavra Refectory Church Pechersk Lavra Refectory Church
Petro Simonovich Mohila was the Metropolitan (orthodox religious leader) of Kiev and Galich from 1632. Petro Simonovich Mohila was the Metropolitan (orthodox religious leader) of Kiev and Galich from 1632.	Refectory Church Refectory Church	Far caves bell tower Far caves bell tower	Inside the far caves. Except for a candle carried by each person, there is no light in the caves. There is a coffin in a niche every few feet. Inside the far caves. Except for a candle carried by each person, there is no light in the caves. There is a coffin in a niche every few feet.	The monastery botanical garden The monastery botanical garden
Shop in the lower section of the garden Shop in the lower section of the garden	The garden chapel (name that I made up) The garden chapel (name that I made up)	The refectory church from the garden The refectory church from the garden	Andrea and friends in the garden Andrea and friends in the garden	The garden with the Dnipro River beyond The garden with the Dnipro River beyond
Birds in the garden. Lots and lots of birds. Birds in the garden. Lots and lots of birds.
	Looks like a weekly schedule Looks like a weekly schedule	Unidentified memorial in the garden Unidentified memorial in the garden	Billboard showing Ukraine Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I with President Victor Yushchenko, and commemorating the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of the Kyivan Rus, the slavic state that became Ukraine. Billboard showing Ukraine Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I with President Victor Yushchenko, and commemorating the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of the Kyivan Rus, the slavic state that became Ukraine.	Ukrainian police car Ukrainian police car
On September 29-30, 1941 a team of German SS troops, with help from other German units, local collaborators and Ukrainian police murdered about 34,000 Jewish civilians in this ravine, called Babi Yar. On September 29-30, 1941 a team of German SS troops, with help from other German units, local collaborators and Ukrainian police murdered about 34,000 Jewish civilians in this ravine, called Babi Yar.	Monument to Jews massacred at Babi Yar. This monument was added in 1991 shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Sept. 29-30 action in 1941 is probably the largest single massacre of the Holocaust. Monument to Jews massacred at Babi Yar. This monument was added in 1991 shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The Sept. 29-30 action in 1941 is probably the largest single massacre of the Holocaust.	Our program director, Evgeniy, reading the story of Babi Yar. As a Russian Jew, this story has personal significance to Evgeniy. Our program director, Evgeniy, reading the story of Babi Yar. As a Russian Jew, this story has personal significance to Evgeniy.
	1976 Monument to Soviet citizens and prisoners of war shot at Babi Yar. 1976 Monument to Soviet citizens and prisoners of war shot at Babi Yar.
				Another memorial along the road near Babi Yar Another memorial along the road near Babi Yar