I Made It

After traveling by planes, trains and automobiles...and a bus, I finally made it to Krivoy Rog this morning.  The traveling could not have gone any smoother...no delays, no lost luggage, no major issues at all.  Now I'm just settling into my apartment for the summer.  It's so good to be home.

After I got to Kyiv yesterday I had several hours to kill before my train left for Krivoy Rog so I decided to go downtown.  As last Sunday was Easter here the carnival was still happening on the squares at St Sophia and St Michael's churches and the whole street in between.  I have never seen so many Ukrainian Easter eggs in one place before.

I then went to Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) to see what it looks like now after the revolution.  It's all been cleaned up but I could see that it's not as bright looking anymore with all of the smoke buildup on the buildings and monuments.  I felt a different atmosphere there as well.  It wasn't as vibrant but that may be attributed to crowds of people being up the hill for the Easter carnival.

I walked up what used to be called Instytutska (Institute) Street where many of the murders by the Yanukovich government happened.  The street is now closed to traffic and renamed in honour of who are now known as the Heavenly Hundred (the people who were murdered).  All up and down the street are many memorials to those who died and a lot of displays of items from the revolution, makeshift shields, helmets, gas masks, etc.  It was hard for me to do that walk after watching the live internet feeds when it was all happening.  What struck me the most was that the people who died were of all ages.  The youngest was 17 years old and the oldest was 73 and there were all ages in between.  Sorry for sounding so morbid.

So then it was off to get supper and back to the train station.  In the next few days after the jet lag wears off I'll meet with the local workers to see where I can be of most help.  I am so looking forward to getting back to my real job.  I have also got at least one or two projects in the works.  Stay tuned.

If you would like to help me with some projects, such as an outing for those who don't get out much, or maybe a decent meal or treat of some kind, you can click the "donate now" button on the right side of the blog.  You can see other giving options by clicking the "ways to donate" tab at the top of the page.  Every dollar will count in enriching the lives of those who have so little and will be appreciated a lot.

Thank you for seeing my heart.  Please keep me in your prayers.  я люблю вас!!

The sign on the bell tower says "Christ is Risen!"

This vendor could not possibly make his stall more Ukrainian.

Even Kinder eggs were dressed up.

The board behind the photo is a makeshift shield.

No more barricades or traffic.  On the wall to the left is a photo and a memorial to each of those who died.  You can see "before" photos here:  http://blairs-page.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-revolution-in-kyiv.html

Makeshift shields with bullet holes

Hrushevskova Street with no burnt out buses and barricades

Khreschatyk Street was a tent city when I was here last.

On a happier note...chestnut trees and lilacs grow EVERYWHERE in Ukraine.  They are in full bloom and the smell is incredible.