Springtime in Kiev

Forget Paris!  Kiev offers a beautiful spring landscape.  We were very fortunate to have such a mild winter here this year, plus the early arrival of many flowering plants.  Most of these pictures were taken on our way to and from school.

On April 17 the lilacs were just getting ready to bloom.

One week later the entire sidewalk was lined with these beautiful, fragrant blossoms.



Taken in early April.  It is much greener now.



According to my dad, our forsythias opened  before his opened in Pennsylvania.

This next picture was taken on the soccer field behind our school.  It makes me laugh for two reasons: One, he's driving a John Deere; and two, the field is Astro Turf!  The only thing missing was the smell of fresh-cut grass.  I'm sure there's a spray for that out there somewhere.

I think I've taken a picture of this view from our apartment window for each season.

 The following picture was also taken from our apartment window.  This older couple sits on the same bench every evening when the weather is nice.  Sometimes they appear to be sharing a snack; sometimes they're just visiting.  I zoomed in for a close up.  I'm not a creep or a stalker; I just think it's cute.




A bouquet of Lily of the Valley purchased from a babushka in the metro (subway).
They scented our entire apartment!



 



We've heard that the Botanical Gardens in Kiev are worth a visit.  We have a long weekend coming up for Ukrainian Victory Day (how ironic).  It's actually the day to remember victory over the Nazi regime.  Hopefully, they will be able to add "victory over the Putin regime" to commemorate the day as well.  And hopefully, that will happen sooner than later!

Speaking of celebrations, we celebrated Jay's birthday this week by going out to dinner and to a jazz band concert at the Caribbean Club in downtown Kiev.  It was a great evening and of course, Jay was in his element.  It wasn't the same as a Maynard Ferguson concert, but the band was very good.  It seems the language of jazz is understood wherever you go in the world!



So I'm sure that it is apparent, in spite of what is happening elsewhere in Ukraine, life in Kiev goes on as usual.  At least for now.  The election coming up on May 25 should determine the direction of Ukraine's future.