A nice finish to a nice day

Link to some photos of Kiev:  https://picasaweb.google.com/nundabud/ViewsOfKiev?authkey=Gv1sRgCNCOqeKKpa3WdQ
Link to some photos of Flash Mob for International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO): https://picasaweb.google.com/nundabud/FlashMobForIDAHO?authkey=Gv1sRgCIivs-qw9L7G0wE

So, I got a massage scheduled for Wednesday morning at 10 and a language lesson Wednesday at 2:30.  I headed downtown around 15:45 and arrived at 16:30 (that's 4:30 to you Yanks).  I went to what is becoming my favorite hang-out spot downtown: the Organic Cafe.  I hadn't eaten yet today so I had a mozzarella, dried tomato and pesto sandwich on a baguette, a bowl of cream of mushroom soup, a bottle of water and a cappuccino.  When I went in, the waiter, who has begun to recognize me as a regular commented that the cover of my Ipod matched my shirt.  I showed him that it also matched my undershirt.  He was impressed.  He must be gay to notice such things (is that stereotyping?)  At six I met Vladimir at Teatralna station and we took a metro to Khreshchatik, a main street for shopping and strolling.  We met up with another Vladimir and walked to a Roman Catholic Cathedral (Polish).  Three more of our friends were inside.  I took some pictures of Yevropaishcha Ploshcha (European Square) including one of a rose-colored chestnut tree.  The chestnut is the symbol of Kiev and there are many in full blossom right now.  We all walked over to the site of the scheduled flash mob.   Flash mob is a favorite method of being able to have a quick demonstration with no advance publicity to alert authorities or counter-demonstrators.  There were a few guys handing out anti-gay, ex-gay literature.  People would take the pamphlets and tear them up in front of the distributors.  Not in an ugly way, just in a disagreeing way.  Finally the moment came and there was movement over to a wall by the river.  A few quick speeches were made, slogans of "NO to homophobia" were shouted and the balloons were released, most carrying messages of equality.
We walked down to Khreshchatek St afterwards and watched kids break dancing outside McDonald's.  We met up with more friends.  Rostek and Kostya came and we walked a while and then came home.  So, a nice end to a nice day.  In our wanderings I met another gay Orthodox monk and I will visit his monastery soon.  All in all, a splendid day.