UKRAINE: Kiev and Glowing Review of Chernobyl

It’s been a rainy and relaxing visit here in Kiev. I managed to track down some Yuri Gagarin paraphernalia while I was here. He was the first man in space for those not up on their outer space lore. He’s not only a great hero, but the man who lit the fuse for the space race. Without him we wouldn’t have put a man on the moon in such record time.

Dream House Hostel

A Welcome Respite From Roommates

Revolution Square

 

 

STREET LIGHT LOVERS

Saint Michaels

 

Nice Soviet Building

Saint Andrews Church

 

Interior Saint Andrews

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parliament Building – This attractive Soviet Era building is the scene of a grenade attack carried out the day before I arrived in the Kiev. Three policemen were killed.

The National Bank – Originally one story, and two stories were added creating an amazingly unified whole. The result is this stunning building.

 

 

 

 

                                     CHERNOBYL

Chernobyl Sign

Angel Gabriel – Allegedly predicted the Chernobyl disaster.

MR. NEUTRON – The radiation made all of my hair fall out.

Memorial To Evacuated Villages

Abandoned House

Deteriorating Dwelling

Statue Built By Firemen In Honor Of The People Who Built The Sarcophagus.

Robotic Vehicles Used To Work In Radioactive Areas.

 

Abandoned Doll

Nursery School Nap Area

MORE ABANDONED TOYS

Reactor Number Five Never Was Activated

Infamous Reactor Number Four – This is the one that caused all the trouble and threatened an additional explosion that would have rendered Europe uninhabitable. A situation many are unaware of to this day. If it had melted down to the coolant, the subsequent explosion would have been equivalent to a thirty-megaton nuclear bomb.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing what happens in thirty years.

Restaurant – Closed For Good

 

 

 

 

Gymnasium

 

BUMPER CARS

Ferris Wheel – This looks like it belongs in Banksy’s Dismaland.

 

GAS MASKS – Kids practiced on these to prepare for an attack from the U.S.

 

This pool used to be the pride of the community. Look how deep it is.

 

 

What in God’s name is that thing?

What is it? Some sort of electrical system?

Early Warning System For Nuclear Attack From The Cold War

OLD BABUSHKA – This old lady is living in her house alone out in the woods of Chernobyl with her cat. She grows vegetables and writes poetry. She has no relatives and no pension. We brought her some groceries and some cash to do our bit to keep her going. This is a tough old broad.

RADIATION DETECTOR – We Made It out of Chernobyl Without Contamination