When it rains in Kiyv, it`s a disaster. The old city located on high hills has many steep descents and ascents, a legacy of a thousand years history. Most roads are made of old paving stones and granite. On rainy days, water streams down carriageways making it impossible to cross the road. The business center becomes one big traffic jam. Driveways and pathway are slippery, so both drivers and pedestrians need to watch their steps carefully. It was a workday in October when rain started. I was heading somewhere, holding my umbrella, trying to make my way safe 45 degree down on Shelkovichnaya street (laid in 1834, named after mulberry gardens near). I noticed how the maple leaves on the granite stairs looked so beautiful and took the photo with my phone.

The mighty Dnieper roars and bellows,
The wind in anger howls and raves,
Down to the ground it bends the willows,
And mountain-high lifts up the waves.

The pale-faced moon picked out this moment
To peek out from behind a cloud,
Like a canoe upon the ocean
It first tips up, and then dips down.

The cocks don’t crow to wake the morning,
There’s not as yet a sound of man,
The owls in glades call out their warnings,
And ash trees creak and creak again.

-Taras Shevchenko

Translated by John Weir

A perfect day would be one of the religious holidays when most visitors leave Kiev. A slow walk through the ancient center, dinner in one of the many restaurants at Podol, then spend the evening on Dnieper’s quay and make my way home on a water-bus.

The beautiful view of the old hospital.

Slippery roads.

One can buy almost anything in the underground crossing.

The Giant Turtle that bears the World on its back.

Freddie Mercury, Chuck Palahniuk, Sally Mann