The Museum of the Great Patriotic War

In Ukraine and Russia WWII is called ˝The Great Patriotic War˝.
In 1941 as a part of German Barbarossa operation from Aug to Sep German troops encircled Kiev. On Sep 26th about 665,000 Soviet troops surrendered in the Battle of Kiev. This is the largest army to surrender in all history.
Kiev was occupied by Germans until Nov 6th 1943. Following 778 days of German occupation Kiev's population decreased from 900,000 in 1940 to 186,000 in 1945.


In 1981 just next to Pechersk Lavra - Brezhnev opened The Museum of the Great Patriotic War;


At the museum entrance we were greeted by a pioneer - a 10 year old girl. Most likely she was there with her babushka who was warking at the museum ticket shop. The girl also sold us ticket.

Zhitomyr

More successful visit was to Zhytomyr to the Korolov Museum.
http://www.netcore.us/1/ccas/harford2.htm

http://www.novareinna.com/bridge/laika.html

http://rt.com/news/sci-tech/belka-strelka-dogs-space/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZwmCnekxx8

Alexandria Park

Pauline and Wyger came to Kiev over Christmas. I wanted to show them Alexandria park in Bila Cerkev - a small place about 80 km from Kiev.
It was not easy to find the park. I got stuck in the local market first. With Wyger's help found the way to the park. But when we finally arrived to the park's entrance - it's doors were closed. The reason - the park wants to guard it's pine trees. If not guarded pine tree might end up on the Xmas market or in someone's living room. The trees on the market are between EUR 8 for a smallish tree; about EUR30 for a large one. So locals help themselves with the Xmas trees from the 300 years old dendropark for free.

Under weather snowman

But with such sunny and warm weather we have these days - I can understand snowman might be a bit depressed...

Make over

 Since September the most ugly building on Volodimirskaya street is having a make over. It's almost over - but I am not sure if a make over is a success.

Sunny Sun Dec 12

Great weather continues. What a great day! So lucky still no snow!

NY Party 2011

This year we had Ukraine theme. As usual everyone made effort to dress up:

Sunny Sat on Dec 3rd

Fantastic sunny day:

Nov visit to A'dam

Some dramatic clouds in A'dam:

Autumn weekend at home

Had great weekend with my family. At my parents house enjoyed foliage:

Christiania

Could not miss this tourist destination hailed as one of oldest European communities. The fact that I lived in A'dam for few years have not immunized me from the shock upon seening bricks of hash being openly sold on Christiania's "main square". Seems that the main activity in the community is selling weed and hash.

While Christiania is hailed as cultural power house of the city - have not seen much of culture. Unless large bricks of hash count as conceptual art.
One cannot take photos. Locals are (over)sensitive with a camera in sight.
What surprised me is that a community which openly denounces materialism has a souvenir shop. With quite expensive T-shirts in it. The shop accepts any credit card.
Quite a step for a commune.

More photos at:   https://picasaweb.google.com/116335751057137184269/Christiania?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLS72riC-_v_eA&feat=directlink

Copenhagen

First weekend of November I was in Copenhagen. My first visit. I was impressed by smooth organization.  There is so much elegance when things are well organized. The airport is almost hassle free. Security is smooth. The boards inform you how long does it take to pass security (1 min was my experience!!).

A train ticket from the airport to the center costs EUR 5. A ticket for a rickety bus from Boryspol to Kiev is more expensive and you will stand in the bus too.
I was lucky with the weather. Sunny and warm. Overall had great time and I am looking forward to go back.
Photos:
https://picasaweb.google.com/116335751057137184269/Copenhagen?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPaz9_2Kn-3gXg&feat=directlink

Highlights of the weekend visit:

The Royal Library - the Black Diamond. The photography exhibition by Gregory Crewdson "In a Lonely Place" http://www.kb.dk/en/dia/udstillinger/crewdson.htmln Photos have a magical atmosphere.

The Royal Opera: the ballet "Evening for Broadway" in the stunning building.

The Thorvaldsens Museum: amazed how productive life he had. Great building with funny exhibition of photos where sculptures where put contemporary items on.

Christiania - but it deserves a separate post.

Fall colors

More foliage at: https://picasaweb.google.com/116335751057137184269/FallInThePark?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLbdmZeIv6SUbg&feat=directlink

Sunrise

Sunrise on Oct 28.