the ukrainian hood

It's a far cry from good 'ole Maakaari, with its plentiful running trails, but it's (somewhat) pleasant. This is my building, a Khrushchevka (building from Khrushchev era). They always look like they're falling down on the outside, but the two that I've lived in have been tolerable on the inside. There's a cute little courtyard with a playground outside, and a family of emaciated stray cats lives under one of the benches. One of my friendlier neighbors, "Fat Grisha," as my landlord calls him, is usually perched on the bench, feeding the cats.


This is a view down the street, toward some construction projects, which are everywhere in Kyiv. They're building some nice apartments, and a new church, which you see in the center. (On a side note, the Church seems to be in good shape here--lots of building and renovation projects, and lots of young men at the services. Only babushki go to church in Russia.) On the far left is a new convention center.

The side of the Khrushchevka next to me. The posters read--"A European standard of living for Kyiv." Well, not quite yet, but they're trying.