For more than 7 years, Kiev has been my home. As I prepare to move on to Mukachevo in May, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the city that has been my home for so long. Kiev is a strange place indeed. There are many wonders to behold there that are just not seen anywhere else, and while there are many other places that experience some of the things on this list... the sum total is uniquely Kiev.
- The inside of a public bus is decorated to look like the interior of a church…however, with even more icons plastered all over the walls.
- A national protest is an everyday occurrence.
- There are more political parties than you can count on your fingers...in fact, there are so many that I don't think using your toes would help either.
- Walking down the street you can see a 60 year old guy with an 18 year old wife, and its considered normal.
- You can see a building process overlapping 10 years.
- When you smile towards a stranger at night, they run, hug you, and start talking as if you're their long lost friend (that is… if they are drunk...which is very likely).
- A red light means absolutely nothing to a driver.
- You can buy any legal document you will ever need.
- You can see a Soviet-era tractor driving on the highway.
- They have kiosks that are open 24/7 and sell all the essentials: ranging from food & condoms to vodka & cigarettes.
- Walking on the sidewalk can you get hit by a car.
- Men try to lure you into taking a picture with monkeys in diapers, and then charge you $20.
- Hospitals have the same discount cards as nightclubs.
- 10$ can get you a feast fit-for-kings or food poisoning- the 'class' of the place doesn’t matter
- Fireworks have lost all connections to holidays, and are considered an everyday kind of fun, even from your apartment window.
- People consider seat belts a waste of time and are such an annoyance that they are flipped around the seat to stop the safety alarm in the car from beeping.
- You avoid speeding tickets depending on how much money is in your pocket
- The metro is recognizable by its distinct smell of flowers and urine. Lots of urine.
- Most traffic signs are simply an experiment
- You see tanks getting fuel at local gas station.
- Anyone can be a taxi driver in his free time.
- Every other day is a religious or national holiday.
- You have to pay for your ketchup in McDonald’s.