Faye and Peter in Kiev

Over May holidays I had a visit from Faye and Peter - my friends from Dubai. Three of us were excited about the visit and for weeks looked forward to catch up. Last time we were together was in 2009.  For Faye this was the first visit to the frontier of emerging markets. I was delighted to have a chance to show them my home country for last four years. There was a special moment at the airport when Faye and I experienced slight disbelief that our wishes to meet and plans for this visit are finally  for real.
Peter's parents are Ukrainian and he speaks the language. He spent few days in Kiev in early 90ties. But the city changed since than.
The first day we had some rain. Coming from Dubai Faye and Peter enjoyed sounds of rain and the show provided by lightning and thunder. But Faye always brings sunshine and for the rest of their visit we enjoyed sunny, hot, summer weather.
Yulia - knowing my friends will arrive prepared a mountain of local delicious food - blini, vareniki, julien,  golubtsi, poppy cake.
But on the lodging front things were challenging. Iggy was delighted to get a nice new toy and delicious presents. Initially he showed his mellow side. But after few hours his territorial alpha male character took over. We had to put band aid on Peter's ankle. Yulia came to rescue and took Iggy for few days. The first evening the building block had no hot water. Some "avaria" in the neighbourhood. There is a small boiler for such cases in my flat. But each time the boiler is in use (hot water is used in the bathroom or the kitchen) it starts to produce some high pitch music. Kind of repetitive Philip Glass stuff. One can probably appreciate the boiler doubles as a music box, but its compositions are truly an acquired taste. Nothing close to Glass.
The second day the guest toilet refused to flush. This was a surprise as few weeks ago a plumber came and  fixed it. Possibly I have not made sufficiently clear to the plumber that I do not need to see him every few weeks. Fortunately Peter is very handy with such technical house problems and easily fixed the toilet.
One day we also found out we are without internet. The landlord went on his May holidays and forgot about the bills.
From the internet provider I learned I can pay the bill at the special type of ATMs which are located at supermarkets and metro stations. The call center of the internet company could not specify which supermarkets and metro stations so three of us went for a search. First evening Faye and I checked two metro stations around my house. We found ATMs for mobile phones and all other internet providers - except for mine. Next morning with Peter we were more lucky - and found the right ATM, paid the bill and had the internet connection restored within two hours. I was impressed with such efficiency.

Thanks to Peter I also have DVD working and can download movies. Now I can catch up with my education in visual arts (area I sadly neglected last few years).

It's possible Faye and Peter were slumming it in my flat. But we spent a lot of time outside and Kiev in the spring is the most charming. We enjoyed walking its streets and parks, visiting churches and relaxing in cafes. As evidence of a good time here are the photos: