I'm such a big procrastinator but not at all alone for this. I visited to Kyiv for 5 days on September of 2018, but now I'm mentining about my experiences. It exactly means that, it'll be short and memories aren't fresh already but some feelings never die and I've noted some stuffs and have wonderful photos to show you what I did there. So, here we go!
I didn't fly to Kyiv directly from Istanbul and that's why, it was late to land there. I arrived at Zhuliany airport around 02:00 am. I found such a great host on Couchsurfing and they waited me even till 03:30 am.
At airport I changed 20€ to Hryvnia and bought a sim card to have internet access. I used Uber to get home and it was reasonable price.
My host Alex gave me his bedroom and really appreciate it.
Listen, I used to grow up as a Muslim Turkish but this was the first time I slept in a Christian room and you know what ? it was so peaceful only.
I'm not going to be talking about religion but this feeling might never die in my deepest of my heart.
That's why I'm traveling to taste new things.
My friend helped me to organize my plan where to go in Kyiv on Google Maps.
It's Golden Gate and half of its made by wooden as I remember. If you're a history buff you'll enjoy visiting right there.
It looks really gorgeous ! It's kind of a museum.
This is St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. My memories don't lie to me frequently if it really took my attention. I respect to any religous temple and it wasn't allowed to take photos inside of it and I didn't. I even asked an Ukrainian that, when I saw others were taking photos of it. He said that, it's written there as rule not to take photos and people don't pay attention it but I paid attention what priest said, because there was going a ritual right there.
I spent most of my time just walking around for first day.
Second Day
Puzata Hata, this place is where you can have lunch or dinner economically in Kyiv. The capital city is a bit expensive than other regions.
Be sure you go there not between 12:00 - 14:00. It gets crowded and you'll taste different food at the same time.
No worries ! I'll get lost again :)
We're in Podil but what is the point of building a turning ladder in this square ? In my opinion it kills view of buildings behind of its.
Andriyivskyy street welcomes you with street artists.
If you didn't visit to this street in Kyiv then your traveling isn't already done. This is a suit place for souvenirs. You can find a piece of soul of Kyiv right there.
At the end of the street sign of art shows itself.
It's St. Andrew Church. What was horrible for me that the restoration was going on inside church but I enjoyed enough well around it.
There's ATM in front of church if you've problem with cash.
Learning a foreign language makes you feel more comfortable specifically when you visit to country the language you already learn and people are capable of speaking that language as a second language. But I already know that in Ukrainian,
"Скільки мов ти знаєш – стільки разів ти людина."
"The more language you know, The more people you are."
If you already know Russian then it'll be a piece of cake for you to travel around.
I really had a nice conversations in Russian with the sellers at Andriyivskyy Uzviz. This is a traditional woman t-shirt.
Alex, Today I'm going to prepare dinner by myself !
- Okay man, feel yourself at home, do you need anything ?
- Yes, just show me how to use this bakery.
I've alreay made a video about how to cook it on YouTube, if it interest you. Bon Appetit !
Как приготовить Fırında Tavuk?
Third Day
I gave this question to myself today, what is the point of taking photos when you travel ? To share them on Social Media or remember good old memories ?
I moved to another host. I had really wonderful time with Alex but it's always good to meet other one.
Yes please, I need you to rain when I travel !
The motherland monument is the symbol of Kyiv. With a ticket you can have a nice view from top of monument.
I'm really curious that which feelings the sculptor made those monuments.
I can hear like Ura, Ura !!!
It's good that for their sake, I don't have driver license :)
For sure I asked that question to employee that, they're still working ?
You maybe have a lovely place in my heart.
The door is opened and saying that, come to me...
It's time to have some energy.
You're not the only one who loves Kyiv. I love you too anymore.
Open your wings I'm coming to you.
Fourth Day
You see how comfartable I sleep right here.
Don't let its appearance fool you. It was comfortable.
It was sweety but
Starting my day with a shaurma woke me up.
When you don't have time to visit around while traveling then miniatures give you a great trip where to start next time.
Prices are out of date in my opinion, it's taken in 2018 !
Your lunch is right there.
I'm trully happy now.
This is the place where winners are born. Would you like to hear my story about it ? For sure it was happened in Turkish news and first time I saw this place when I was teenager and the people where working out in public.
It's kind of a feeling you can't just explaining with words. It inspires you when you were a teenager and now you are there.
Maybe next time I spend some energy here. Güle güle Hidropark !
Take a walk from Hidropark to Pedestrian Bridge.
Don't fear to get lose while traveling. You'll rediscover more.
You're really charismatic man !
I'm starving.
I prefer to listen to you.
Let's today end up with this photo.
Fifth Day
Someone calls me "Abi, abi!" (in Turkish big brother)
and looking around who recognized me that I'm Turk :)
For sure Slavs are brighter and less hairless than me.
I respect people who give up their lives to protect to their motherland, no matter wherever you are from !
I'm coming to you listen to your story.
We're in Holodomor Genocide Museum. As you understand from name, it was mentally heavy to understand for me.
I tried to spend some time every corner of museum and took photos. When I came back to my Ukrainian host I asked him about what happened to them.
I don't want to write about this. It's been there over 2 years but I already can imagine what was like to be there. But it's necessary to visit there.
Plus thing is that there's a great atmosphere out of museum and gives you some pleasure.
It's time to be a child again.
If you're traveling with children then this children landscape park is definitely somewhere you want to be.
Let's end my blog with this photo. In Soviet Union Time people had to wait to buy a car like one or more years because of some circumstances. But it still looks classic.
If you would like to hear a piece of advice from me and then it'll be my pleasure to write.
I'm no longer using "Social Media" anymore. in 2021 I avoided using them for my sake. When I was traveling I immedatialy shared photos on Facebook and missed some oppurtunies to do. I'm not trying to tell you not to share anything on Social Media but make sure that you'll ask this question to yourself, What is my priority right now ? Taking photos to share Instagram or communicating the coffee seller as much as I can. In my memories there're already fresh conversations and I just love them. Thank you all for reading my blog.
