I think my bad luck travel streak is broken! Even though my flight out of Rochester on Wednesday was an hour late and even though we got into JFK at 5:30 and even though my flight to Amsterdam was at six in a different terminal, I made it. Of course, after running faster than I have in twenty years, I was red-faced and panting. The woman taking boarding passes asked "Are you all right, sir?" I suppose I looked like a madman.
My flight from Amsterdam to Kiev was a bit late leaving also but I did arrive safely. The line at passport control was really long and it took an hour to get through. The employee of the agency from which I rented my apartment was there to meet me, and in short order we were on our way to the apartment. The agent I had dealt with, Oleksandyr was there to meet me to show me everything. It's in a really nice neighborhood on the same street as the National University of Kiev. It was rainy and about 65 degrees.
I settled in and took a nap, after realizing I had left all my Ukrainian currency at home and also my adapter plug. I went out walking Thursday night for about an hour. My street is a hill so I'll get good exercise. I turned in around 10 and got up at 8. My hips hurt some. Friday morning, I went to the supermarket down the street to stock up. As soon as I got home and made coffee (instant), I remember other things I wanted to buy.
By this morning, all my electronics were dead. I went out this morning in search of an adapter plug. I got royally lost. this is a different part of Kiev than I am used to. After wandering blindly for a few hours, I found a metro station and went to Glossary cafe. My usual waiter had a huge grin and brought me my usual with a hearty "Welcome back to Kiev!" I was touched that he remembered my usual after months. He told me I could find an adapter at Bessarabska market. I set out and failed to find Bessarabska Street. However, in a metro station, I found a small shop that sells batteries and he had adapters. I bought two and headed back to the apartment. I found it with no difficulty, not like the last time I was here and got lost for a week. Now I will recharge all my electronics and be good to go. I'm relaxing for a while and then will go out in search of dinner. I've asked Rostek and Kostya but haven't had a response yet. Tomorrow morning I'll have coffee with Anna and then lunch with Zoryan. There's a rainbow festival tomorrow at 5, sponsored by Zoryan's agency. I'll attend that.
So, I'm back to a place that feels like home, and even when lost, I'm confident I can find my way. All my friends here are reaching out delighted that I have returned. They don't seem to know that they are the delight.
My flight from Amsterdam to Kiev was a bit late leaving also but I did arrive safely. The line at passport control was really long and it took an hour to get through. The employee of the agency from which I rented my apartment was there to meet me, and in short order we were on our way to the apartment. The agent I had dealt with, Oleksandyr was there to meet me to show me everything. It's in a really nice neighborhood on the same street as the National University of Kiev. It was rainy and about 65 degrees.
I settled in and took a nap, after realizing I had left all my Ukrainian currency at home and also my adapter plug. I went out walking Thursday night for about an hour. My street is a hill so I'll get good exercise. I turned in around 10 and got up at 8. My hips hurt some. Friday morning, I went to the supermarket down the street to stock up. As soon as I got home and made coffee (instant), I remember other things I wanted to buy.
By this morning, all my electronics were dead. I went out this morning in search of an adapter plug. I got royally lost. this is a different part of Kiev than I am used to. After wandering blindly for a few hours, I found a metro station and went to Glossary cafe. My usual waiter had a huge grin and brought me my usual with a hearty "Welcome back to Kiev!" I was touched that he remembered my usual after months. He told me I could find an adapter at Bessarabska market. I set out and failed to find Bessarabska Street. However, in a metro station, I found a small shop that sells batteries and he had adapters. I bought two and headed back to the apartment. I found it with no difficulty, not like the last time I was here and got lost for a week. Now I will recharge all my electronics and be good to go. I'm relaxing for a while and then will go out in search of dinner. I've asked Rostek and Kostya but haven't had a response yet. Tomorrow morning I'll have coffee with Anna and then lunch with Zoryan. There's a rainbow festival tomorrow at 5, sponsored by Zoryan's agency. I'll attend that.
So, I'm back to a place that feels like home, and even when lost, I'm confident I can find my way. All my friends here are reaching out delighted that I have returned. They don't seem to know that they are the delight.
I had made up my mind I was not going to check for a blog until lunch time, so that I could enjoy it with my lunch today!! I buckled - it's 11:15.... close enough!! I'm glad that things are falling into place with you. It must be wonderful to have a home away from home that is so different from what you are used to! I'm very envious! Stay safe!! HUGS and love, as always ~d
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