Week 2 - Annelien Pattyn - Ukraine

Hello there!

Are you up for some more news about how we are doing here in Ukraine? Well, the week is almost over so we are staying here for the last weekend and then we move on to Russia.

Mandarin-Plaza-Kiev

 It’s 6 PM and I’ve just arrived at my hotel room after some shopping with Audrey, Anne, Manderley, Els and Emily. Jeroen decided to stay at the hotel today, because he wanted to catch up on sleep. We went to a very popular shopping center in Kiev with a lot of major brands. It’s called “Mandarin-Plaza”.  I can’t deny that we have spent a lot of money (shame).

As you can guess…this weekend will be –as I call it- a relaxing weekend. We are going to do some restaurants, some ‘nightlife experiences’ and other stuff we like to do. First of all, I want you to know some things about the kitchen of Ukraine.

After the independence in the cities, the offer of international and Ukrainian restaurants have strongly increased. Beside its own kitchen, the Chinese/French/ Italian and the Russian kitchen are also very popular. However, I advise you to take the local cuisine if you ever consider to go to Ukraine. Try local courts such as Ikra, chicken Kiev, Pampushki or Salo. The quality is high and the prices are low. So what do you want more?
Probably, there are readers among you who can’t do distance from the western “fatty” snack [including myself :)]. Well, in the big cities, there is always a McDonalds nearby.  

The traditional cuisine in Ukraine doesn’t differ much from ours. Beside a piece of meat, potatoes and vegetables such as carrots and beets form the basis. We only have more variation. The only difference with the Dutch kitchen is that they eat 2 times per day warm eating. Concerning the desserts in Ukraine: they are delicious, but very sweet.

Now something about the national drink in Ukraine: VODKA! The consumption of vodka suffers too many addiction from the population. I have one important advice for you, guys! If you ever plan to go to Ukraine, never buy vodka on your way, because the quality is often of a doubtful level.

Of course, there is also nightlife in Ukraine. The large cities, such as the popular Kiev have a sparkling nightlife that isn’t inferior to what we are accustomed. Moreover for us, western tourists, it is generally payable (thanks to the strong depreciation of the national currency!).

Who said nights were for sleep? So, I think it’s clear: Thank God it’s Friday, because tonight it’s going to  be a crazy party!

I am convinced that today was a good day or do I have to be more specific?

“Tonight will certainly be a good night!”

C u later for more catchy news about our trips…

From Annelien with love, xoxo.

http://www.waarheenmetvakantie.nl/oekraine/eten_drinken_uitgaan/

http://www.city.nu/info/kiev/