April 25 - Back to Kiev

Today we had Lisa's driver for about 4 hours.  He has promised to drive us to all the wonderful places around Kiev that are too far to walk to.  Our first stop was the Golden Gate.  This is not the original as both the wall and gate are long gone.

Some famous Ukrainian.

Mike and Sergi - the driver.

A big group of school kids overwhelmed him.  No respect!

The opera house.

City scapes.

 The Parliament building.  There were some demonstrations being staged.  Per Sergi, the demonstrators are paid about $1/hour to show up.

Next to the memorial to WW1I

And of course the obligatory statue of Mother of the country (Ukraine).  Every former Soviet Union country has one.

This is a memorial to fallen soldiers - it used to be lit all the time - now, only occasionally.

The memorial complex has a lot of statues - all very expressive.

Then on to a famous monastery called Pershersk Lavra Monasery - where they make gold domes, etc.

Then back into the car for a trip by the National Bank building.  We did not go inside - it is supposed to be beautiful.

Some government building.



St Andrew's church.

Then we walked down this street to find lunch.

 Then walked back up it.

National History Museum of Ukraine.  This has a wide area in front.  I was told this is a favorite play area for Grandson, Nicholas.

It as nice views from on top.

Then back to the apartment - and Sergi left to pick up Lisa for her next meeting.