Useless day

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(Edited)


You know how it goes. You make plans for a day, and then struggle with schedule, events and people to carry out your plans. And when you finally exhale and sit down late in the day, you must confess that all your plans went down the drain.

At least it was a sunny day. First bright and sunny day in a long row of gloomy, dark days. Perhaps this very fact became the reason.🙂

I long wanted to visit a showroom of a local shoe manufacturer. But their open hours match my working hours. Besides, the weather wasn't friendly for walkers, mostly windy, and foggy. So when I got up today and saw a bright sunlight in my window, I rescheduled my working hours, grabbed a camera and went out.

It was so nice outside. Recent rain washed away all snow.


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I try to revive my hobby, I mean photography. Before war, I was much more enthusiastic. So sometimes I take my camera when I go out but rarely use it.

When I left the house, the air alarm started. Damn it! My destination was in Kyiv city center, very close to the area that was hit but Russian missiles on 10th October. I'm not a coward, but lately we've been warned especially often not to ignore air alarms. I was thinking what to do... I walked in the direction of the subway and thought about what to do. In the end, I decided that I would get off one station later, go upstairs from the subway and walk back by feet.

This is how I ended up in Khreschatyk. They say that locals rarely walk here, only tourists. But today I have an excuse.😉


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I passed by the city hall. This building was built after the WW II, and earlier there were several capital buildings, one of which operated the popular Hotel "Bel-Vue".

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The next building is a multi-story multi-brand store. It's decorated in New Year style.

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At the central entrance, they installed current generated. You can roll the wheel, engine will generates small current and lighten... something. I guess. If it's similar to those that is installed inside of Kyiv Central Railway station.

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From time to time, I checked my phone if the notification had arrived about cancellation. But it didn't. Although, everything looked peaceful and nice outside.

I turned right and saw this plaque on the corner of the building dedicated to Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, in whose honor the street is named. He is our famous commander, the first Ukrainian hetman and not only that. I didn't notice it before.

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Across the street, people are standing in line for Kyiv Perepichka. It's a fast food establishment in Kyiv, where only one dish is served - a pastry with sausage. This dish is considered one of the culinary hallmarks of Kyiv and is mentioned in modern guidebooks and online tourist resources, including on TripAdvisor, Foursquare, Lonely Planet and others. On TripAdvisor, "Kyivska perepichka" leads the rating of fast food establishments in Kyiv, and has Certificate of Excellence 2015—2018 Winner.🏆

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The Museum of History of Kyiv is located in the modern building on the corner.

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Another unexpected finding - an Angel sitting on the balcony of the Taras Shevchenko National Museum. I passed by hundred times and never see it. So I had to google. In 2015, the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine presented the "Angel of Kindness" to Ukrainians. The author of the project is the Lithuanian sculptor Vaidas Ramoshka. He created the symbols of goodness - sculptures of white angels, which have a special light in them and protect the citizens and guests of the city.

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Sculptures of "Angels of Kindness" were installed in Warsaw, St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Tallinn, Dublin, Ljubljana, Riga, Minsk, Milan and even Guangzhou in China.



As you can see, the building was partly damaged on the shelling. There are many windows closed by sheet of plywood all around.

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Now I am right at the spot that was hit on Oct 10th. City authorities fixed everything very quickly. Well, not literally everything...

This is Shevchenko park.

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They have a New Year tree. It all is so contrasting, Christmas, New Year tree, traces of shelling, air alarms, blackouts. Today is 308 days already. Who in the right mind could believe it can happen, and it will last for so long, and we will hold on for so long.

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The Shevchenko monument is closed temporary to protect from being damaged.

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A bus stop decorated with a pattern in national colors.

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Red University Building. It is the principal and oldest 4-story building of the Kyiv University. It was constructed from 1837–1843. Now it's one of the city landmarks.

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And this is how it looked on Oct 10th.

I kept an eye on reports for "air raid clear" but vainly. It means that all municipal public transport is stopped, and since the air raid started in the morning and lasts for so long the shoe store was still closed. Crap. Not the worst of the problems though.

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So I went toward subway, some lines still works, even during danger.

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The first thing that interests me when I go home is whether there is power. Since the weekend, the situation in Kyiv has improved. But we still have emergency (unplanned) cutoffs.

The good news is we have power. The bad news is that it can disappear at any time. I have been wanting to do laundry for several days now. Today, due to the cutoff, the washing took all day. In the evening, I planned to go to the volunteer camp, but I didn't manage to do that either. In addition, a colleague who lives and works in the USA pissed me off with his complaints. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the reluctance to work when you have absolutely everything for comfortable work. Although, in the end, everything is relative. Before the war, we also grumbled and complained.

Well, at least my photos are uploaded, and hopefully, I will finish this post today, LOL.


Seize the day!


This is my submission to the WednesdayWalk challenge initiated and hosted by @tattoodjay.

Thank you so much for walking with me today. 💛

Cheers!



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37 comments
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pixresteemer_incognito_angel_mini.png
Bang, I did it again... I just rehived your post!
Week 137 of my contest just started...you can now check the winners of the previous week!
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I'm glad you are well my friend @zirochka. I have not forgotten about you. Kisses, hugs and infinite blessings to you. ❤️

!PIZZA

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And after reading through this, I found out that your day really went well and filled with great man memories. Beautiful pictures of landmark places. Talking a walk helps us interact with our outside environment and exercise our body too.
#Wednesdaywalk

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With time in a situation such as yours now with the air raid sirens going off one gets used to it in a way, I know I havent said that well but i mean you adjust how you react to the sirens going off and what you will do, I have experienced it at times many years ago but not exactly the same situation as you with it going on for so long.

Glad you were able to get such a nice walk in and show us so much of this area of the city

Thanks for joining the Wednesday, I always love seeing all the walks shared from around the world, its like a virtual world tour

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Of course, we're used to it to some extent. When you don't hear the explosions, the threat doesn't seem so real. Today, the day started again with an air alarm, but this time I heard explosions, so there was no desire to walk at all, LOL. Good that I went out yesterday. As I said, seize the day! 😉

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I read on the news the attacks were terrible all over the country today , hearing explosions definitely not a good idea to head out

Stay safe

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Thank you for continuing to share your journey and experience. I'm interested in every word.

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#WednesdayWalk in Kyiv! It is startling to walk beside you, as you explain what I am looking at, very much normal on the outside of many things, and then, I realize that it is not.

Thankfully, you were gifted with a nice day, you deserve so many of them. The way you must live is sobering to me. I am grateful to not have to, but, my heart still bleeds for all that you have to go through for over 300 days. Horrific.

Yet, you are so kind, so thoughtful and so lovely.

I apologize for the person in the States. I really do. Such ignorance. :(

Thank you for sharing yourself with us. God Bless you. xoxo

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Thank you for these words, dear Denise. You are in my thought always!
XOXO

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I think of you often too. I am always happy to see your name pop up. Happy almost New Year!

There is hope in my soul for all of us. 💚

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Such a beautiful city, such heroic people, thank you form taking the time to show us.

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It is nice to see how you still have the mood to share your walk, the photos you took, and all the story behind them so we can get to know more about Kyiv, its streets, and its monuments. In Spain, at 12am on NY eve, we take 1 grape every time the clock announces the 12 hours which brings the New Year. If you are able to swallow the 12 grapes, you can ask for wishes to come true during the new year. There is a big wish for this year, and I hope it becomes true sooner than later.
Happy New year!
Stay safe.

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If you are able to swallow the 12 grapes, you can ask for wishes to come true during the new year. There is a big wish for this year, and I hope it becomes true sooner than later.

Oh I know what my wish will be! )) I never heard about this tradition, sounds fun ) So, should you swallow the grape without chewing?

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hahaha,
I do but I take out the skin and the seeds :)

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Ohhhh i didn't expect having a community like this, the Wednesday Walk, because of this post i got interested in this kind of blog i love it your post, hi @dswigle i'm new here can you be my friend here?

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Thanks for sharing those picture. Im glad to see the recent update of your country . Its look normal , even its not for country that been in war since last few month. Stay safe and im looking forward the post from you in future. :).

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Eye opening and sobering as always.

With your voice of courage and awareness. 👏

You have a really good eye for photography, btw!

And that photo of the 10th Oct. Wow 👀

It still feels so surreal to read you and see your footage at times. Like... it makes it real that this is happening out there while we sit safely behind our screens.

Madness.

Sending love always.

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It still feels so surreal to read you and see your footage at times.

You know, I am here, inside the frame, but have same feeling

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I hear you, sister.

You stay strong and focused, you hear?

You're photos are leveling up big time as well with your clarity and strength... document and record please?

This is history. Don't let them bury it.

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I promise! 💪

Happy New Year, Nicky! 🎄🎉🥳❤

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You too, wonder woman!

You'll be in my thoughts. Sending tons of love and a massive virtual hug

Stay you! You're amazing ❤️‍🔥

Full power for 2023. 💥⚘️

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Thank you, dear! I'm grateful for meeting you. That's true. You are a kind of soulmate, although we had a different experience. I wish I could br such a good friend for you one day. Or better that day not to come. Anyway, I hope you understant what is behind of my English 😊

My best wishes and hugs from Kyiv! 💙💛

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Ditto, sister.

You're a special human. That's for sure. It's a privilege to be a part of your journey somehow.

Very special meeting you.

I'm sticking around however I can. So always remember you're never alone.

Have the best start to a new year that you can make it, despite everything you have to navigate to do it.

Only love. ❤️❤️❤️

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Despite the warnings, it looks like you had a pleasant walk :) My prayer is that 2023 brings an end to the war 🙏

Happy New Year 🎆

This post has been manually curated by the VYB curation project

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There is still so much beauty there (including the spirit of your people) despite the horrors of war. I'd like to make it a point to visit your country once there's peace again. It was on my list before the war. I wish you and your family a peaceful, safe, and happy 2023. Let's hope this nightmare ends soon.

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If you will ever need a friend in Ukraine, or a guide, I am here 😉

My best wishes for the New Year to you, Eric. May our wishes come true 🤞🥰

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Thank you for that very kind offer. We will, most definitely, take you up on it! 2023 will mean lots of travel for us, God willing. Hopefully some kind of peace will be reached in your country. A lot of my Mom's side of the family originally came from Ukraine. It would be wonderful to experience some of my ancestors' homeland. My Grandfather's surname was Prostepunik (or something similar) and they changed it to Fmura when he immigrated to America through Ellis Island in 1918 we also have a few relatives with the Byura surname. Here's to a peaceful and fruitful 2023! Take good care of yourselves.

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So have you never been to Ukraine before? OMG, I definitely want to be a part of your first journey 🥰
But indeed, it's so great to discover your ancestor's land. Are you staying in touch with far relatives here?

Yes but first we need to finish the war. No one can be safe here until then. Yesterday, as a result of an attack on Kyiv, a journalist from Japan was injured.

My with for this year to be a year of victory and peace. Little greedy people seek power and territory at the cost of terrible destruction and death. And in fact, we all have one home that we must take care of - our planet.

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We never have! That would be so much fun to have you introduce us to your country! Unfortunately we've lost ties with our ancestors there. During that timeframe I think there was a lot of upheaval and people were dispersing and relocating all over due to the Russian revolution. We have records as far back as my Great Grandparents immigration to the US and then the trail disappears.

I'm so sorry. We saw on the news here that the Russians are targeting civilian residences now. We are praying for you all and wishing for an end to this terrible destruction. Take care of yourselves @zirochka and may a last peace happen soon!

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Take care of yourselves @zirochka

I promise, as I do want to be your local guide here 😉

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