Kyiv Tourism: Part I

We traveled to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine November 6-11 to meet my friend from Kansas who was visiting Ukraine. I also conducted some much needed interviews with non-governmental organizations and international organizations. Because so many exciting things happened on our trip I am breaking the blog posts up into categories (like a good political scientist). This blog post is dedicated to the fun touristy things we did in Kyiv. 

This is my first picture of Kyiv. Independence Square and the sight of the 2004 Orange Revolution. It was a pretty amazing moment for me standing here for the first time!

The view from our apartment balcony of Independence Square!

Our first stop after the sight of the Orange Revolution was the Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian parliament. Sadly, this is about as close as I could get to it!

Another picture...but I told Matt when we were there that I would get an interview inside that gate someday! 

Overlooking part of the city.

Me and some pysanky eggs, traditional Ukrainian painted eggs outside of the Ukrainian house!

St Michael's Cathedral destroyed by the Soviets but rebuilt in the late 1990's.

Vanessa and I at St. Sophia's founded in 1011...luckily this church was saved from Soviet destruction.

We like to visit orthodox churches! Here is Vanessa and I at St. Andrews church.

Hanging out with Bulgakov who was born in Kyiv and lived there until he was 28.