Kyiv again.

I have a few hours to spend in Kyiv before my flight back to Brussels. I visit to the Chernobyl disaster museum. It’s lively and interesting, there are many documents, but mostly in Russian. There are many items about international solidarity and humanitarian help after the disaster. I was only 7 years old when it happened, but this museum reminds me of toys collections in my school for Chernobyl children. It was so deep in my memory, I had almost forgotten about it.

I have enough time to visit the giant statue of Nation’s Mother. I catch a bus to the park where it stands. The bus is packed and I have to fight to get on with my big backpack. At a stop, I get off to let other passengers get off. But I’m too long to get back on, people push and soon there is no longer space for me. Next time, I’ll forget about politeness. Fortunately, the driver sees what happens and kindly lets me in his cab. It’s roomy and air-conditioned :-)

Nation’s Mother looks a bit like Berlin’s Siegessaüle, but (even) less graceful.

But it’s getting late and I have to leave for the airport. I’m a bit worried about customs, because I’m carrying many things I’m not supposed to leave with, including Ukrainian currency and all these items I had ticked “No” on entrance declaration. Actually, checks are less tight than expected. Nobody cares about what I am carrying.



I’m sad to leave Ukraine, but I’m sure I’ll be back, sooner or later.