77 replies to this topic

[bred]

Indeed Kyiv around the New Year is relatively cold. Colder than here certainly and of places like Odessa on the Black Sea coast (the Black Sea does have a significant temperature moderating effect) but not as cold as somewhere like Moscow. December averages -1/-6C and January -4/-10C:

Climate graph for Kiev from the BBC.

I believe much of the notable architecture is Ukrainian Baroque. I don't think there is the same breadth of architecture as in St Petersburg where influences from France, Germany, Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece etc. were seen under Catherine the Great. However, there have been other influences like you say, such as Ukrainian modernism (ca. 1900-1930).


Ukrainian Modernism: Horodetsky's Beast House, 1903.

There are traditional gems such as Saint Sophia's Cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage Site):

[ermd]

Haha, not too cold then.

That "Beast House" building looks fantastic. I love Stalinist neo-classical architecture too, but I'm not sure how prevalent that was in the Ukraine. I know the "Seven Sisters" around Moscow in Russia are certainly something to behold. This building is on the main street of Kiev, I believe:



It's kinda awe-inspiring the way the Red Army destroyed the street themselves in retreat and then it was totally rebuilt to that...immenseness (?!)...in a new architectural style post-war.

[bred]

That is very impressive. I believe that is the Central Post Office building, one of few remaining buildings surrounding Independence Square from the Stalin period.

[ermd]

Haha, they don't build 'em like they used to!

[bred]

I have to say when I was in Washington, D.C. one of the things I was most impressed with was the imposing architecture.


The U.S. Capitol Building.


National Gallery.

Would have used my own photos but I don't have them on this computer.

For photos of St Petersburg check out http://www.megaholiday.com/saintpetersburg/index.html

One of the good things about Ukraine being an ex-Soviet country is how cheap the public transport is. It is about 5p for a ride on the metro in Kyiv and train journeys across the country are very cheap too.

[smb]

I think you might enjoy parts of History of Art course I'm doing...

We spent a few weeks looking at architecture and classical antiquity - having to learn about all that Roman/Greek style inspired architecture with their doric and ionic orders - pediment, entablature, column, stylobate, frieze, architrave blah blah blah... had to write a big essay on it.

We also looked at baroque and gothic architeture and stuff too. Quite interesting.

[KDYFloorballer]

We always leave it till the last minute to book holidays. No matter how many times we tell ourselves to book earlier it never happens! So, obviously I don't know where I'm going. Probably not abroad, though.

I've always fancied Canada or New Zealand for some reason.

[smb]

Oh. I am going to Ireland at Easter, thanks to my lovely new nothern ireland friend buddies

They say "shaur" for shower - im still like and then at that....eveery friggin time.

Also, they do that "sity'aishin" (situation) thing....i love it!

[kyle]

I'm going to Barcelona with my family in April, my dad even said he'd take us to a Barca game!

So I won't be going snowboarding but still, it will be good!

[*sofax*]

i may be heading somewhere exotic with international student volunteers if i get my act together to find the money for the deposite and accept!

[bred]

I just discovered the trip planner on Weather Underground. I entered the day I arrive in Kyiv (Dec 27th) and the day I leave (Jan 6th) and it gives me information about the likely weather based on weather from past years on those precise dates:

27th December 2006 to January 6th 2007 for Kyiv, Ukraine:

Temperature
The Average High Temperature is 0 C with a historical range of -12 C to 6 C
The Average Low Temperature is -4 C with a historical range of -15 C to 3 C
There is a 0% chance of a Hot Day (temperature over 90°F).
(0 days out of 87 in historical record)
Most consecutive days found in historic record: 0
There is a 0% chance of a Warm Day (temperature over 60°F).
(0 days out of 87 in historical record)
Most consecutive days found in historic record: 0
There is a 67% chance of a Freezing Day (temperature below 32°F).
(58 days out of 87 in historical record)
Most consecutive days found in historic record: 8

Cloud Cover
Average Cloud Cover is cloudy
There is a 87% chance of a Cloudy Day.
(72 days out of 83 in historical record)
Most consecutive days found in historic record: 10

Wind
The Average Wind is 13 km/h with a historical range of 0 km/h to 35 km/h
There is a 17% chance of a Windy Day (average wind over 10 mph).
(15 days out of 87 in historical record)
Most consecutive days found in historic record: 2

Humidity
The Average High Dew Point is -1 C with a historical range of -16 C to 6 C
The Average Low Dew Point is -5 C with a historical range of -20 C to 3 C

http://www.wunderground.com/history/airpor...eq_statename=NA

[bred]

I have three photo albums from Ukraine:

1: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2069...8c5&id=61001455

2: http://ed.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20695...94d&id=61001455

3: http://ed.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20695...3ea&id=61001455

Had a great time. Bit of a culture shock; was warmer than usual.

[The Wedge Effect]

Off to Amsterdam again next weekend from Thursday to Sunday! Woo! Should be fun! Party time! I may take my camera along with me and snap a few photos.

[John]

I'm off to Tossa de Merre in June

[linds]

I'm going to my grandpa's house in Spain for a week in June. It's near a town called Torrevieja, which is south of Alicante. It's very peaceful and pretty, so we'll get to spend a week eating ice lollies and sunbathing.

[Plug in Baby]

We're going to Cyprus in August. Should be good but I hope it isn't too hot!

[smb]

I went to Elgin for me holidays.

Go me.

[Terrence]

x

[smb]

It is quite nice. Its a really nice town/city. Just ....a bit to East for my liking. I prefer the Black Isle and anywhere kind of north west of that.

[floss]

It is quite nice. Its a really nice town/city. Just ....a bit to East for my liking. I prefer the Black Isle and anywhere kind of north west of that.

The Black Isle's ok; I live across the water from it .
My brother went camping last night, my cousins are up from Hertford-shire and have rented a house with a 6 acre garden, so they slept out there. I stayed in the house, drinking wine with my Aunty Diane and getting quite merry! =D
In July I'm going down to stay with them, and my uncle's got me some work experience at the BBC
Not the same as going abroad though...