Who has spent time in Kiev? And what is it like?

[el_guero]

Anyone and everyone,

Who has spent time in the Ukraine and especially Kiev?

What is the culture like?

What are the hot spots of the culture?

thanks

wayne

[Boris]

Hi Wayne,

Before someone bites your head off it is Ukraine not "the Ukraine." It will save you some trouble later :-)

I have been to Ukraine six times. Four times this year. Read the threads and the trip reports. Read Mendy's section on cities in Ukraine and his section on Russian culture. It is excellent.

Times are difficult there for many people but they carry on.

Kiev is a beautiful city but to know Ukraine you must visit the smaller cities including the villages. Almost everyone in Ukraine is one or two generations from living in a village. I spent some time in the village where Tania's mother lives on my last trip. It helped me understand T much better--why she does some things the way she does.

Read, read and read some more. Find someone you might like to visit. Then get on that plane. 

[Bruce Lee]

Certainly agree with the last post, Kiev is a great place to visit, I was lucky to spend new years there 2 years ago and it was a fantastic time. See the sights and enjoy the night life! You will have a great time, of course picking the right lady will make the occasion even better.

Only small advice is don't spend to long in the airport as it pretty horrible and depressing, I timed my return home wrong and ended up spending nearly 5 hours there, before flying home.

If you go I have no doubts you will enjoy yourself!

[Chris]

Anyone and everyone,

Who has spent time in the Ukraine and especially Kiev?

What is the culture like?

What are the hot spots of the culture?

thanks

wayne

Read these threads

http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?topic=1507.0  my thread but has a lot about Culture in and around Ukraine, plus Kyiv.

Western Ukraine - Village and Rural Life

Life and Leisure Activities in the Carpathian Mountains

Ukrainian Markets and Village Life

Also read the Culture sections:- http://ruadventures.com/forum/index.php?board=7.0

[1msmoby]

Hi Wayne

A good tip to know.. We call it Kiev, but the Ukrainians say Kyiv !! The one we know is from Russian - the national language of the Ukraine is Ukrainian..

It is a beautiful city, and a good place to make your first visit to the FSU - in the right company !

Here's a good Eng lang. reference

http://www.kyivpost.com/

Before someone bites your head off it is Ukraine not "the Ukraine." It will save you some trouble later :-)

It's more fun to have one's head 'bitten off' .. it's 'The Borderland' in English, and I'd like to go to The Bahamas.. it's still THE Ukraine to me, and I've never had my head bitten off, yet in 10+ visits in 7 years.. except by folk on the board;)



 

[markje]

Hi Wayne

A good tip to know.. We call it Kiev, but the Ukrainians say Kyiv !! The one we know is from Russian - the national language of the Ukraine is Ukrainian..

Only in Kiev and the western part of Ukraine ;-) Its also good to know that if you visit southern (Crimea) or eastern (kharkov) Ukraine, they have nothing with Ukrainian language. they call it Kiev and refuse to speak anything other than Russian, unless forced by law.

[Boris]

Hi Wayne

A good tip to know.. We call it Kiev, but the Ukrainians say Kyiv !! The one we know is from Russian - the national language of the Ukraine is Ukrainian..

It is a beautiful city, and a good place to make your first visit to the FSU - in the right company !

Here's a good Eng lang. reference

http://www.kyivpost.com/

Before someone bites your head off it is Ukraine not "the Ukraine." It will save you some trouble later :-)

It's more fun to have one's head 'bitten off' .. it's 'The Borderland' in English, and I'd like to go to The Bahamas.. it's still THE Ukraine to me, and I've never had my head bitten off, yet in 10+ visits in 7 years.. except by folk on the board;)



 

Bahamas=plural as in more than one island. The United States as in more than one State. Ukraine=one Ukraine.

[1msmoby]

Only in Kiev and the western part of Ukraine ;-) Its also good to know that if you visit southern (Crimea) or eastern (kharkov) Ukraine, they have nothing with Ukrainian language. they call it Kiev and refuse to speak anything other than Russian, unless forced by law.

Let me clarify.. Markje is correct ! - as in the language you might HEAR ( more)  in those regions - but the 'official language is still Ukrainian !

I meant the direction signs by the road ( my bad for not being clearer) .... as you land at the airport and drive into 'Kyiv' - how the 'English' characters portray the city  .. he'll understand

[1msmoby]

Bahamas=plural as in more than one island. The United States as in more than one State. Ukraine=one Ukraine.

Hi Boris -  how effective is  'ignore' ? ..

Well I'm off to *The Algarve* [sing.] and *The Ukraine* ( Borderlands might be following your 'rule' !), The Lebanon and and The Gambia  

[markje]

In Dutch language, its also officially "The Ukraine" (De Oekraïne)

In Dutch however, all countries have either "De" or "Het".

[Boris]

Bahamas=plural as in more than one island. The United States as in more than one State. Ukraine=one Ukraine.

Hi Boris -  how effective is  'ignore' ? ..

Well I'm off to *The Algarve* [sing.] and *The Ukraine* ( Borderlands might be following your 'rule' !), The Lebanon and and The Gambia  

Another thread destroyed  : Do you ever admit that you are wrong? Ever? Out of the doghouse yet? I wonder how you got there?

It really doesn't matter how we pronounce it. It is how Ukrainians choose to call their country. But I know that won't stop you, Moby. You asked if I hoped you would have an "epiphany moment." No, I just hoped you would understand how disruptive you can be. Now, I realize you are that guy that when you enter the room and start to talk everyone rolls their eyes and when you leave everyone has a good laugh.

I'm sorry Wayne for disrupting your thread. Good Luck.

B.

[1msmoby]

Another thread destroyed  :

..only if you let it..  I simply don't think it *is* something Wayne need 'worry' about getting his 'head bitten off' about..

It really doesn't matter how we pronounce it.

Good - glad we cleared that one up ...  

Lighten up, 'Boris'

Wayne joined to learn and to have a little fun, I expect !

[Turboguy]

I have been to Kiev a dozen times or more but not for 3 years or so.    It is a really neat city with lots to see and do.    I also called it "the" Ukraine for years but did learn that is incorrect but lots and lots of people say that.   It isn't a big deal.   

The city is safe.  I have walked through unlit underpasses at 3 am without a problem.   There are lots of really good restaurants.   There are beautiful churches, nice parks, interesting things to see.   My favorite is the catocombs at the Lavre.    They are hard to find unless you have someone show you who knows the place but it is really neat to walk through there holding a candle.    Kiev has very active night life but that changes so I won't list any.   The River Palace is neat but mostly hookers.   It is easy to find an afordable apartment, there are some nice hotels.   The Dnepro and Rus would be the two hotels I would recommend but an apartment is better. 

Unless you go looking for trouble you won't find it.   Some of the other cities in Ukraine are also very worth a visit.  Some are nice and modern, some are smoky and run down.   All in all, Kiev is a nice destination.   You might think about Jack Bragg's New Year's party in Kiev.   I have done Jack's tours but never his New Years party but that might be a good start for you.   Good luck.

[BCKev]

Kiev is a great city, been there many times. There was a thread recently about things to do in Kiev, title was something like "date ideas for Kiev". It is a beautiful and interesting city to explore.

Kiev is not typical of Ukrainian cities. It is busier, building and roads are better maintained. A nice place to visit, but to get a better idea of what Ukraine is like, you need to get away from Kiev.

And it is Kiev (from Russian) to me, not Kyiv (from Ukrainian). My wife is Russian from Dnepro oblast, primarily a Russian speaking area.

[Manny]

.. it's still THE Ukraine to me,

Simply wrong.

Correct English grammar does not need a definite article preceding the name of a of singular country such as England, Wales, Iraq or Ukraine.

"Common usage" does not make it acceptable, because editors, etc. understand grammar rules and do not use it. Thus, you will seldom see The Ukraine in print (at least, not if the editor went to school).

FWIW