I arrived in Kiev like a zombie. After almost an entire day of sleepless flights (of no fault of my own), it was like landing in a strange place. It didn't help that I spoke just about no Russian and very few people there spoke English.Somehow despite the language problems, I met up with people I was supposed to meet up with and was taken about the city.
City itself was bustling with people. It was strange mixture of fancy modern buildings and old Soviet architecture.
Mikhailovsky Cathedral 
Mikhailovsky Cathedral
From the top of the
hill, we walked down and down windy street, which I am told afterwards
as somewhat of a tourist attraction. The small streets were full of
street vendors selling this and that. I walked through them as if in a
dream. I don't remember
much of the first day I arrived in Kiev, but I do remember wishing I
had few more days to explore at least the orthodox cathedrals.Kievo-Pecherskaya Lavra
The subways at Kiev are somewhat old and dirty, but definitely great as a transportation and cheaper than anything I've known in terms of public transportation. We wandered the night streets of Kiev...which I would say is infinitely better than the day.
Theater in city center | Kiev center
 I would say Kiev
reminded me of Korea of many years ago...just as it was growing into
more modern city. Perhaps if I spoke Russian like I speak Korean in
Korea, it might have made things so much better. But with 2 hours of
sleep in 24 hours, I am not sure if that would have helped.
Kiev Center
We took some sort
of people mover train to the top of the mountain to see this gorgeous
church. I still have no clue what is called.
Mikhailovsky Cathedral  The church or
cathedral on top of the mountain was in different fashion than other
Cathedrals I am used to. It is of course eastern orthodox based. Yet
the beauty of the chapel was still the same.Andreevsky Spusk - oldest streets in Kiev
My last night in
Kiev was the easter night. I was so lucky. The church opens all night,
the streets and church are filled with people carrying easter baskets.
Saint Vladimir Cathedral I was able to walk
into several churches, see the brightly lit gilded statues, murals, and
even see the top honch of the eastern orthodox church...who I'd say
wasn't really the focal point of the night. I was more impressed by
several hundred year old chapel.
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