101 Reasons to Love Kiev(c)
Great article from europa2012 . Recommend to everyone!
1. Springtime. Ukrainian winters are long and cold but damn the Springtime makes up for it! Blink and you'll miss the transition from snow to sun, however if you're lucky enough to be in Kiev in May/June - the burst of green shoots, blossoming trees and smiling people will warm your soul.
2. You are never more than 100 meters from a bank. In fact, if stand anywhere in Kiev and spin 360 degrees you'll probably see at least three.
3. Puzata Hata (Belly House) ...which should actually be called Belly Heaven. Puzata Hata restaurants sell cheap, tasty Ukrainian food and, dotted all over Kiev and they are a massive hit with locals and foreigners alike. Simply grab a tray, choose from a huge selection of national dishes and then stuff your face! Nobody leaves a PH hungry.
4. Crossing the road. Almost all crossroads or intersections in Kiev have a pedestrian crossing and pedestrians have the right-of-way. Just walk and the cars will stop.
5. Every car is a potential taxi. This is one of the most endearing things about Ukraine and other ex-soviet countries. Just hold you hand out and soon-enough someone will stop to give you a lift. Negotiate your price and you're off.
6. Marshrutkas. These little yellow mini-buses buzz around the city like flightless bumble-bees and they are awesome. Wherever you are in Kiev, you can find a Marshrutka to take you home, or take you where you need to go. On top of this they're super-cheap at just 2.5 UAH (25 cents) a trip.
7. Paying for your Mashrutka. As if they weren't cool enough already, you can pay for your Marshrutka by passing your money to the person in front of you. He/she will pass it on and you can watch as your money moves off to the driver. Relax as your change works its way back to you.
8. Kiosks, Small square box-like street shops. They're everywhere and its amazing what you can get from their little tiny windows.
9. Metrograd (Metro-town). Its an underground shopping world, crammed full of expensive (but cheap-looking) stuff that nobody buys. However, its fun to explore and get lost there, especially when its cold above ground.
10. Babushkas (grandmas) and the fact that it is both friendly and respectful to call all old women 'Babushka'
11. Sushi. Ukrainians love sushi and despite the fact that I've never seen a Japanese person in Kiev, the Sushi is pretty good.
12. You can find middle-aged men performing bad (but heartfelt) love songs in public on the street Karaoke machines.
13. Soup with every meal. Ukrainians (and now me) love soup. It makes every dinner feel like a special occasion.
14. Train picnics. Your fellow train passengers will feed you, talk to you and look after you.
15. Mama. Mamas rule in Ukraine. If Mama is not happy then nobody is happy. If you hear a mobile phone ring in Kiev there's an 85% chance it will be Mama calling to check on someone.
Rest of 101 can be found here---->
1. Springtime. Ukrainian winters are long and cold but damn the Springtime makes up for it! Blink and you'll miss the transition from snow to sun, however if you're lucky enough to be in Kiev in May/June - the burst of green shoots, blossoming trees and smiling people will warm your soul.
2. You are never more than 100 meters from a bank. In fact, if stand anywhere in Kiev and spin 360 degrees you'll probably see at least three.
3. Puzata Hata (Belly House) ...which should actually be called Belly Heaven. Puzata Hata restaurants sell cheap, tasty Ukrainian food and, dotted all over Kiev and they are a massive hit with locals and foreigners alike. Simply grab a tray, choose from a huge selection of national dishes and then stuff your face! Nobody leaves a PH hungry.
4. Crossing the road. Almost all crossroads or intersections in Kiev have a pedestrian crossing and pedestrians have the right-of-way. Just walk and the cars will stop.
5. Every car is a potential taxi. This is one of the most endearing things about Ukraine and other ex-soviet countries. Just hold you hand out and soon-enough someone will stop to give you a lift. Negotiate your price and you're off.
6. Marshrutkas. These little yellow mini-buses buzz around the city like flightless bumble-bees and they are awesome. Wherever you are in Kiev, you can find a Marshrutka to take you home, or take you where you need to go. On top of this they're super-cheap at just 2.5 UAH (25 cents) a trip.
7. Paying for your Mashrutka. As if they weren't cool enough already, you can pay for your Marshrutka by passing your money to the person in front of you. He/she will pass it on and you can watch as your money moves off to the driver. Relax as your change works its way back to you.
8. Kiosks, Small square box-like street shops. They're everywhere and its amazing what you can get from their little tiny windows.
9. Metrograd (Metro-town). Its an underground shopping world, crammed full of expensive (but cheap-looking) stuff that nobody buys. However, its fun to explore and get lost there, especially when its cold above ground.
10. Babushkas (grandmas) and the fact that it is both friendly and respectful to call all old women 'Babushka'
11. Sushi. Ukrainians love sushi and despite the fact that I've never seen a Japanese person in Kiev, the Sushi is pretty good.
12. You can find middle-aged men performing bad (but heartfelt) love songs in public on the street Karaoke machines.
13. Soup with every meal. Ukrainians (and now me) love soup. It makes every dinner feel like a special occasion.
14. Train picnics. Your fellow train passengers will feed you, talk to you and look after you.
15. Mama. Mamas rule in Ukraine. If Mama is not happy then nobody is happy. If you hear a mobile phone ring in Kiev there's an 85% chance it will be Mama calling to check on someone.
Rest of 101 can be found here---->