Natalia A.

Static

The more blog-worthy experiences you have, the less time you have to blog.

That Kyiv is undergoing the same changes that Moscow did about 7 – 8 years ago, and this is probably true. Although there is something about Kyiv, some burnished, fuzzy softness, an air of (deceptive?) calm, that I don’t want it to ever lose. People are always saying that “things were better two years ago,” though, and I’m sure they’ll say it two years in the future.

Everyone has buggered off to everywhere but here

And I’m all alone and bored. Was going to make it out to the festival today, especially since Cousin Solomia was performing, but bad wather and family travails got in the way, as always. Am mixing cocktails on the balcony. If you want to join me, you ought to have my number.

Orthodox Churches

Are still the most beautiful places of worship in the world, as far as I’m concerned. They radiate warmth. As critical as I am of the religious establishment, I can give credit where credit is due.

There’s a fairly new church in my neighbourhood, in Ostrovskii Park, with bright blue cupolas. So much work went into it, so much labour, both delicate and back-breaking. Now that the church has been built, the parish has turned its attention to the playground and the flowers and the walkways. They’ve gotten rid of the beer-kiosk, and the place looks really nice, bookended by an old cemetery and a new office building (the original structure was erected right before the Fall, and left unfinished, for many years a grim reminder of economic catastrophe and social meltdown).

No more cheap beer on the benches, but I can live with that.