Day 20 - Kiev tour

I am so blessed by our church family (at home and in Kiev!)! Natasha and Dasha took me on a tour of Kiev's attractions. We first took a walk to the bus, then down 2 flights of stairs to the Metro. At this time it was about 8 degrees F. I have been on Atlanta's Marta only once, during the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. I am a little sheltered I guess. The Metro was quite an experience! There were vendors on the M, one selling calendars, another selling bookmarks which magnified print, and another selling LED flashlights. After a rocking ride, we arrived at our destination. We hopped off (quickly or you'll get shut in the door!) and took a **4 minute** ride on the escalator (much faster than our typical mall escalator) to the surface. Dasha told me that there are varying depths of the M - depending on what stop you choose. We were DEEP! I am not good with distance, but I am guessing at that speed & 4 minutes' time that we were at least 150 feet under Kiev!

The Good Lord has taught me the true meaning of cold today. We were greeted at the top of the M with brisk wind & frigid temperatures. Ice was in the air. Natasha & Dasha showed me several famous landmarks - Motherland (photo1), WW2 Memorial (photo 2), Afghanistan War Memorial, a Memorial to all the people who starved to death under USSR rule (photo 3), and Lava church (in the background of photo 3).

I tried as best I could to take photos, but my hands didn't want to work! My feet were as blocks of ice & I was not sure they were still attached to my ankles. I can now understand why many of the ladies here wear platform stiletto heels - to keep their feet as far away from the cold pavement as possible!!! I told Natasha & Dasha that the Ukrainian people are very strong to survive this cold (and it isn't even winter yet!). We then took the M to the nearest McDonalds. Just like America, with a few exceptions: they serve hot tea, they wear jeans with a McD's "M" on the back pocket - nice touch, and theladies who clean up the dining area wear very tight red skirts, white shirt with a vest, and heels. They almost look like airline attendants. Just outside the M, I saw this wonderful idea - the coffee bar/car combination! For you coffee lovers, this is the perfect ride for you!

I am truly happy and joyous (though I wish my family could be with me). The pain and cold in my feet is subsiding. I am in my bed (Yulia forced me), under the covers with a heater next to me, comfort food, and I'm on my 3rd cup of hot tea.
If you are concerned that I may be bored, no worries. I am content. It is well with my soul.