Sofia to Kiev to Israel

Last week was spring break here in Blagoevgrad and Anne and Mark decided to travel to the land of milk and honey, Israel (in actuality, Anne and Mark saw no honey and little milk, probably due to an outbreak of lactose intolerance).  But like many visitors to Israel before them, Anne and Mark found that they could not simply leave where they were and travel directly to the promised land.  Instead, they had to take a round-about journey filled with many obstacles.  In order to get to Israel, Anne and Mark had to go through Kiev.  (It's not exactly wandering the desert for 40 years, but it's something)

A more direct route?  I just don't see it...

What is there to say about stopping over in Kiev?  Well, first of all, it has one significant thing going in its favor - low expectations.  After booking their flight, Anne and Mark read some on-line reviews of the Kiev airport.  Suffice it to say, they were not at all flattering.  "Slow, outdated, and dingy" seemed to sum it up pretty well.  With that as background information, Anne and Mark wandered in to Kyiv international airport (Yes, they spell their own city incorrectly at the airport) expecting to find little more than a shed and some vodka.

Imagine their surprise when Anne and Mark realized that they had stumbled upon an airport containing one of a network of "excellent restaurants."

The peeing angel has been censored for your protection

If it's a boozy network, it must be an excellent restaurant.

So Anne and Mark decided to spend their layover in Kiev Kyiv the Ukraine sampling some of the fine products peddled by the Boozy network.  Anne was immediately impressed by the beer selection of the airport bar, as well as by the fact that they accepted American dollars.

Anne Likey.

Anne selected a couple of brews and purchased them.  Mark continued his campaign of "classing it up" by drinking his beer all fancy like (note the elitist style of drinking with full pinky extension).

How the other half drink.

And finally, because so far this post is just an expanded way of saying "Anne and Mark had a beer during a layover," it is necessary to point out an interesting or otherwise important aspect of the stop.  Some places have historical landmarks, some places have beautiful beaches and some places have... well, bad dressers.  As readers of this blog will no doubt be aware, Anne and Mark respect all people and their fashion choices.  Anne and Mark respect each individual's right to express him or herself in whatever manner he or she decides is most appropriate.  However, Anne and Mark, while respecting each person's right to wear whatever he or she so chooses, reserve the right to mock and ridicule said fashion choices.  So, let's do it:

What.  The.  Hell.

At first, this appears to be a wig.  A huge, pointy wig.  Or maybe a regular wig placed on an abnormally pointy head.  We were not that far from where the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown happened, so it's possible that some locals are running around with big, pointy heads.

But, upon further review using all of the mental faculties at their respective disposals, Anne and Mark were able to narrow down the possible explanations of what was going on here, but were not able to ultimately decide which was the more likely case.  When it came time to board their flight, Anne and Mark had decided that this was either one of those British guards who had just come in after standing outside in a light snowstorm (A) or Cruella DeVille of 101 Dalmatians fame (B).

(A)

(B)

So that was Anne's and Mark's quick stop off in the Ukraine.  Next up - Tel Aviv.

Geography tip of the day: The Ukraine is shaped like a gerbil wearing a saddle.