Kiev

The next day in Kiev started slowly. I felt exhausted so stayed in bed as long as I could. I then decided to take the vernicular up to see some modern sculptures in a playground. They were very cool. And as an added bonus I saw a beautiful church when I got to the top. I decided to walk down the steep road as my hostel was at the bottom and so was the metro. Along the way small stands sold souvenirs. I bough two wooden pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) for school. I took the metro to a monastery where there were interesting caves built by the monks. It took awhile to figure out where the caves actually were as the signs were only English at the gates. I finally just followed a bunch of people and found them. The kind lady who had pointed me in the direction at the beginning of the church complex told me to buy a candle, so I did. I didn't know what to expect, besides caves, but they weren't really. They were corridors built between coffins. I can only assume they were  bishops or someone high up in the church since the glass topped coffins showed fancy embroidered tapestries covering bodies and faces. Head pieces could be seen, sometimes shoes...and sometimes wrinkled, mummified, brown hands. The first time I noticed one I had to hold in the squeal. People all around me were praying, kissing pictures, kissing coffins and crossing themselves. I sure wish I had some warning. I walked through the labrynth of hallways before heading out. I wasn't really sure what to think of the experience. There were some coffins much too small to be an adult....I need to do some research about what I saw.  Next I went to independence square. I wanted to see it at night with all the lights lit up. The friendship arch glows like a rainbow. It's beautiful. I was not feeling the best and was exhausted after my short day out so I went back to bed. Laying there watching movies was just what I needed. I got up for a short time to say hi and bye to my new friends but was soon back in bed.

I was disappointed when at 8 am the next morning the front desk allowed some people to check in. I had been having a great sleep until then. I was feeling really unwell but no real symptoms other than exhaustion. I checked out, a little late, and sat in the lobby organizing myself. I went out and had lunch and then to see the Horodentsky building which was a private residence that was covered by animals and other mythical creatures. It was pretty neat. After the short excursion I already needed a break so I went back to the hostel for a couple of hours before leaving for my train.

Travelling first class was nice but not as posh as you might think. I loved Kiev and could have easily stayed longer but on to new sights in Lviv!