A Wet Day

January in Kiev is usually pretty miserable weather, so we knew at some point while we were here we would experience that. Today it was pretty miserable. But, we didn't let it stop us exploring more of this fabulous city.

We left our apartment in search of the rinok (markets). We were hoping to be able to experience some haggling in Russian! We found our way on the Metro (which we have become very good at using) to the town that has a very large rinok. We walked around for a little while and then decided to ask someone what time it opened. Sadly we were told that they are not open on Mondays. So we decided to come back tomorrow.

this was at one of the metro stations

couldn't help but snap a shot of these two cuties on our way out.

we climbed up on the walkway over the train lines to have a look. The long line of buildings on the right are the rinok

you can't help but Kaila sometimes!!

We took another small metro ride in search if our next destination The Chernobyl Museum. We really wanted to take a day and visit Chernobyl, it is only 60 miles away (about as far away as the SLC airport is from my house) But after doing some research on it we found out that you have to buy tickets about 10 days in advance of your visit. So sadly we couldn't make that trip, but the museum was the next best thing.  

This is the original dress of Odessa Region (where Olena is from)

Before we found the Chernobyl Museum, we ran across another museum. This one was the museum of Ukrainian cultural heritage. It had some really cool artwork and traditional Ukrainian clothing and pottery. We saw all kinds of cool things and the lady that worked there was very helpful in explaing the different items that were there.

Original city of Kiev

made out of tile and marble

this artwork was all made by the same artist and was done on material

jewelry made from old money

We walked a few blocks and found the Chernobyl Museum. It was so interesting to see pictures of what the town looked like before the explosion and what they look like now. There were also letters that were written the day after it happened that explained the assistance they were going to need and how many people were injured and in hospital. The letter we read was one that was a top secret letter informing the government. The rest of the world didn't find out about the incident until a couple of days after this letter was sent. There were also pictures of all the people that worked at the plant and also pictures of all the children that it directly affected. Very somber place.

an example of some fur

pre soviet building

Emergency vehicles from Chernoybl

before and after pictures

documents and clothing from some of the workers

these are all names of surrounding towns that were affected

a  clock that stopped right at 1:23 am when the power station blew up

old haz-mat suit

Radiation map

letter explaining 'incident'

villages surrounding Chernobyl that were affected

one of the walls of children's pictures

We next decided to take a ride on the funicular. We took another metro ride and walked a while and when we found it we were told that it had just quit working. They had no idea if it would take a minute or an hour or even a day to fix it. We stood around for a few to see if it would start and to get out of the rain, but eventually decided that we would come back tomorrow!

Kaila at the funicular train

Funicular train

On the way to our next destination The Rodina Mat Museum, we were looking around the metro stations kiosks for something interesting to buy. We had been discussing something for TJ to buy for his wife Deb and we ran across this!! A his and hers PJ set!!!

Can you spot something weird in this picture? For no reason at all there was a BYU shirt. We asked about it and found out it was made here in Kiev. So weird to see that here.

We ate lunch at the Puzata Hata. It's a buffet and it was delicious. I even got to experience my first 'squatty potty'. Not sure I really want to do that again!! Luckily I have camped a lot.

Delicious

yep its the squatty potty! And yes I took a picture of it!

After another metro ride and a very long walk (we thought we were getting off at the closest stop) we made it, a little wet and cold, to the Rodina Mat. It was foggy and rainy but it was still pretty amazing to see her towering above everything.
We spoke with the security guard standing outside and found out that this was also closed because it is Monday. Mondays in Ukraine are not a good day to do any sightseeing that involves going in anywhere. A little disappointed and very wet and cold we chose to make lemonade and play on the tanks instead. What could be more fun than that.

long rainy walk

off in the distance

found another toilet, hoping it was another squatty potty!! The X looking thing is the first letter in "women"

turns out it was a whole other kind of squatty potty :)

a walk through the forest

ahh the men do the best Kailas!

nothing like playing on tanks in the rain

with some vodka that someone politely left for us

wouldn't be our trip with out a little Kaila-ing

TJ trying to climb on the tank

looking very Russian with his hat (CLICK TO ZOOM)

Giant tommy gun

ran into some Military guys on the way home. They didn't like us snapping a picture

Deb we found your new pediatrician!! (NOTE: they are both wearing the same size uniform)

A random sign we walked by that we thought was funny

we also ran into some very drunk people

there are no traffic policemen that drive around in cars. Instead they stand on the side of the road with a white and black stick and if they decide that they think you are speeding or they want to check your documents,  they will wave their stick at you. You are then meant to pull over and speak with them.

This man was so drunk he couldn't even sit up to eat!

It was a long cold day and we didn't get to experience everything we set out to do, but all in all it was another great day.
Still no news on our next SDA appointment. We are hoping and praying that it will be on Wednesday, but who knows. We will be speaking to Sasha soon.