First Full Day- May 26

So, we were up early. The plan was to: exchange currency, buy train tickets to Moscow, go to a grocery store, eat, and then visit the neighborhood where Lilya grew up. On a walk the night before we went to the Maydan Nezaleznosti where banks are on every corner, so we assumed it would be easy to exchange money. At the first bank after we waited longer than we should, the teller told us rudely that she was with a client. At the second bank the security officer basically told us it was too much of a hassle and we should go to the underpass, but they were closed since it was only 9:30. Then we went to yet another bank that told us to go around the corner to Activ-Bank, it was a simple exchange. Next train tickets. It really helps knowing the language. We found the travel agency by being referred by another agency who's sign stated that they sold train tickets but didn't.




Booked the tickets but despite the visa sign on the door we had to go get cash and could not pay with a card. Got tickets and hrivnas ($1=7.99UAH), the adventure became more enjoyable.

We found a little grocery store not far from our flat. It has all the basics, so we got some bread, cheese, kielbasa, English breakfast tea and pel'meni (Russian variant of meat ravioli).




We were looking forward to eating the pel'meni but with no matches for the stove had butterbrod ( sandwich ).




Now off to the Metro and Nivki (area where Lily grew up). We entered at Zolotie Vorota station where the two escalators seem to descend forever at 25 mph, very awesomely scary.




The metro is fairly busy with people pushing and running, the personal bubble enjoyed in the States is nonexistent in the public transport here. It was especially startling to David, being pushed on all sides.




Revisiting the park near the house, the place where the house used to be, my childhood friends Natasha and Sveta was emotional, both sad and happy.



































It was a great day. Then we came home and fell asleep at 8:30.

Location:Olesya Honchara St,Kiev,Ukraine