Kyiv Journal
August 6–14, 2006
Monday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday, again This isn't funny…
Saturday
This is one of my days to do a little exploring on foot. The day started with overcast skies and did not promise improve, so I set out a little after Noon. Fortunately, there was only a brief drizzle as I went walkies; nothing for an Oregonian to fear. By 6:30 the skies had completely cleared.
My apartment is on Khmelnytskoho, a block from the National Opera House, which you see here. (Picture taken on Sunday when it was sunny.)
So that you're oriented, the building's entrance is on Volodymyrska, and Khmelnytskoho, where my apartment is, goes off along the west (your left looking at the picture) side.
Behind us, over our right shoulder, about 5 blocks downhill, Khmelnytskoho intersects Khreschatyk,
which is considered Kyiv's Main Street.
Now, we are once again heading down Khmelnytskoho toward Khreschatyk. In the foreground of the picture, you'll notice the decorative railings that have been erected to prevent pedestrians from crossing. These are common at heavily traveled intersections (my best guess is this is the intersection with Pushinska—street signs are a rarity). To get across the street, you use a subway or underground passageway. One more block to Khreschatyk, and we can see one of Kyiv's original skyscrapers dead ahead.
At last, we have arrived, and can look back up the hill, contemplating our trek back at the end of the day.
(The Soviet era "Gum" department store is on the right.)
One of the interesting things about Khreschatyk is that they close it to vehicular traffic on weekends, and it becomes a giant pedestrian mall.
Khreschatyk is a broad, gently curving boulevard (made from more damned cobblestones) with a wide sidewalk on the north side, and sidewalks, small parks and plazas on the south.
This is a main shopping district, lots of sidewalk cafes, city hall is found here, as well as offices, apartments, offical buildings, etc. It's not as crowded on the weekends, so it's always possible to find a nice place to sit and relax.
Monuments…The Orange Revolution…Chinese food
Monday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday, again This isn't funny…
