Kiev, Ukraine

 The arch of the Soviets to show the friendship they share.  It was built before the Soviets took Odessa or started the war on Ukraine border...

We booked a private tour of Kiev on our way home for our 6 hour layover. A young man and his father ( the driver) met us and below you will see what we saw.

 First Micheal the archangel that watches over the people of Ukraine. 

 The original founders of Ukraine. 3 brothers and a little sister from Scandinavia

 Now it gets confusing because we saw so much in such a short amount to time I could not keep everything straight.  Because of this and our short time there we plan to make another trip to the N of us and see more of the country and people. . Ukraine unlike Poland (Catholic) but like Moldova is orthodox with a church or monastery on every bloc. Many were reclaimed after the Soviets left. The Soviets often used the houses of worship as storage buildings.

 Easter markets were going on in the squares of the churches. They had large wooden eggs they gave to artists to paint and the squares were full of them.

Some of the good things that were offered at the Easter markets. Below you have another tradition of painted eggs. You must touch 10 of them as you walk down the row to have good luck! 

One of the churches with the Easter market. Below some of the food we ate.  Very good! There is more to come but it is time for a walk.  Love from Ukraine.  Mard