and some more of Kyiv

On St. Sofia's square looking down at St. Michael's Church.


St. Sofia's grounds


St. Michael's. This is actually a reconstruction finished just a decade ago. The original was destroyed by the Soviets.


The Friendship Arch - a gift from Russia to Ukraine. With friends like that who needs enemies??

More of Kyiv

Volodymyr Church near my flat.


My friend Dave in Shevchenko Park also near my flat.


Besarabskiy Rynok (local indoor market selling food)


Independendce Square


The other end of Maydan (Independence Square).

Girls weekend in Istanbul!!

The view from my hotel room balcony.


Lynne, me and Nicola outside the Grand Bazaar.


Hagia Sofia


Blue Mosque


Lynne, Ruth, me and Nicky. Helen - we missed you!!

Demonstrations

Demonstration by the opposition on European Square April 20.


More from European Square.


There were probably 25,000 people present. Not nearly as many as March 31st, but still a good turn out.


Some kids from the rival party brought over some signs trashing the President and Yulia Tymoshenko. They were promptly chased off and their signs burned.


Anyone have some marshmallows?

Back blogging

I was inspired this week by my friend Dawn and her blog from Japan and after remembering my password and where my blog even was here I am!

Yes, I am still in Kyiv and hopefully I can be better about posting some of the many photos taken since I moved here from L'viv back in 2005. Since I last posted I also have a new job....well, its not so new any more. February 1, 2006 I left AMP and started my job at IRI. Its been over a year, I've learned so much and am still really enjoying it.

Some of you have written regarding the political crisis currently going on here in Ukraine. This week there have been rival protests going on in front of/surrounding the Constitutional Court, as they hear the case on the constitutionality of the President's decree on dissolving Parliament. I just happen to live about a half block up the street from the building. Today there were approximately 15,000 people with 2/3 of the protesters being from the opposition. This weekend the opposition has called for people to come in from the regions. When they did this on March 31 over 80,000 people showed up. We'll see how many turn up this weekend.

More pictures & updates to come!
AK

Kyiv

Independence Square @ night.

Opera House

One of my favourite buildings in Kyiv. Currently, its empty.

On Sofivska Square looking down to St. Michael's Church.