Life in the City
Among all the reasons I am proud of Ukraine as my country, the people's ability and desire to continue persevering are among the most solidified.
Podolsky Church of the Intercession
Organizing tickets, schedules, and (many) meetings—amongst packing and adapting to time changes—doesn't necessarily sound like unwinding; however, spending time with my parents, family, and friends during this period of life (and history) became more than fulfilling. I think it was the reminder that everything we had could be lost in the blink of an eye - a sober thought that hit you full force and made you appreciate even the grueling moments of work.
And despite our busy schedules, thankfully, my sister and I were able to take a day from work to traverse Kyiv's cityscape, revisiting locations we had visited the winter before the war.
My sisters and I discovered BURSA Hotel's Kyiv location during our 2021 summer trip, and it instantly became a trademark cafe spot on our trips to the city. The hotel boasts a comfortable transportation location alongside its delectable drinks, unique atmosphere, and gorgeous architecture. It's right in front of Kontraktova Ploshcha (a metro station on the Blue line of transit) and ends up being our go-to as a "watering well."
What strengthens BURSA's location even more is its proximity to the buildings around it and, specifically, to the picturesque Andriivskyi Descent (also known as Andrew's Descent). This often-frequented location is a historic descent from Kyiv's Upper Town to the historically commercial Podil neighborhood. It showcases both popularly known structures, such as the 18th-century baroque Saint Andrew's Church, and overlooked faculties, such as the stands selling antique books and jewelry.
Despite not fully ascending the very steep passage on this trip to the city, my sister and I decided to take a stroll around the surrounding area, passing Orthodox church after Orthodox church.
v summer of 2021 v
What surprised me was the number of people working behind their stalls, in cafes, and singing in the churches we passed. While missile strike alerts would sound harmoniously from everyone's phones every hour, and the metro system would have to shut down for hours on end, it still seemed like everyone functioned in solidarity. It was a silent yet continuous tribute to those fighting for us; they deserved to know that back home, everything was continuing because of them.
Sure, it wasn't the same home, but it was still functioning, striving to rebuild itself for when everyone would return.
