…………..I’ll drop you a more detailed reply by pm later this week on the Ukraine. I’ve worked in parts of the former Soviet Union over the last 5 years and am familiar with Kiev.
On the language issue, I did notice last year that there has been a shift towards all the signs/notices being written in the Ukranian dialect/language rather than standard Russian. So if your relatives are fluent in the dialect, you’ll be fine. In Kiev all the public transport has English timetables and trains/buses run on time . I’ve hired a car and driven in and around Kiev. I wouldn’t recommend doing that in Siberia but you’ll be fine in Kiev. I have always stayed near the old town which is better to be honest if you want to see the highlights of the city. It is pretty nice – not remotely like Moscow. I have stayed at the Hyatt but can recommend a number of hotels/restaurants and will send details later on.
The local restaurants don’t accept visa/amex etc but there are several banks that you can draw money from. Only use the hotel or banks for changing money. Bank notes go out of circulation quickly so you need to guarantee that you have current notes.
I’d be surprised if you were stopped by the Police. I have been stopped and arrested four or five times in China for not having all my papers but never in the old Soviet block.
Oh and tipping. Russia/Ukraine/China doesn’t do tipping. It is assumed that good service is part of the deal when you eat/drink somewhere. Westerners do it but the locals just think it’s weird………….
|