Kyiv, Ukraine

We can't thank Mom and Dad enough for watching our kids for 10 days while Ryan and I went off for a trip of a lifetime.
It has always been my biggest dream to travel to Israel.  It was so lucky that our plane had a layover in Kiev.  We decided to make the most of it and get off for a couple of days.  We were able to see Dorothy and Allen Tomlinson who were serving in the Kiev Temple.  Kiev was beautiful and we were so glad we were able to visit.

Our hotel at Independence Square

St. Andrew's Church

St. Sophia's Cathedral

Babyn Yar Soviet Monuement

Babyn Yar is a ravine the site of massacres carried out by German forces during their campaign against the Soviet Union in World War II. The first, and best documented, of the massacres took place on 29–30 September 1941, killing approximately 33,771 Jews.

Children killed 

The Jewish and more appropriate monument

St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monestary

Motherland Monument

 

I was moved by this art of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus Icon made of faberge eggs.

We accidentally got off course, ran across a busy street, climbed a mountain and walked over 20,000 steps.  It was quite an adventure.  Ryan much prefers walking to public transportation or taxis.  I am so glad because we were able to venture out of the touristy parts and into this market.  I loved seeing the Cyrillic writing and enjoyed trying to sound it out.

Tribute to the many protestors killed line the streets in Kiev

Sushi Dinner

Madame Butterfly sung in Italian with Ukraine subtitles.  

We got tickets last moment for extremely inexpensive.