Artist to Tourist in the Countdown to Kiev
UEFA European Football Championships
Part 1
As a music artist/singer who has spent time in countless cities across the world, I never really having the opportunity to get a ‘feel’ of any of the cities outside of the arenas, event locations and clubs. This time I was going to take some time to try to enjoy a city and get experience some of the atmosphere and the real people.
This is the first of four reports on the Ukrainian city of Kiev – 13 days before the opening of the UEFA European Football Championship 2012. My pop formation “Never2Loud” has a football anthem “We need a goal” featuring the football legend, ex Brazilian National Player, Pelé, so this seemed to be the right time and place.
Kiev: cheap food, slim women, short men and a big attempt to speak English but with a very bad accent. Kiev – a place of contradiction – a place which made me uncomfortable but in a comfortable way. Over the weekend 24 – 28 May Kiev celebrated its 1530 year in existence. The weather was playing ball – in keeping with popular opinion that Kiev is generally a warm place due the warm climate of the Black Sea.
13 days prior to ‘kick-off’ countdown clocks signified Kiev’s excitement of playing host to this major sporting event. It is a big deal for one of the poorer countries still trying to join the European Union but one of the biggest countries in Europe.
I was keen to explore my surroundings – what was ahead of me? Would I have to dodge through echoing back streets avoiding ranting skinheads? Could I find something other than the traditional Russian style stew like borsch or salt and bread? Could I get by on a modest budget or would I book into a higher stared hotel and give up the adventure?
I cannot vouch for the prices during the UEFA European Football Championship 2012. I have the strong feeling that, like every good capitalist country, they will probably increase prices to meet the high demand.
This is the first of four reports on the Ukrainian city of Kiev – 13 days before the opening of the UEFA European Football Championship 2012. My pop formation “Never2Loud” has a football anthem “We need a goal” featuring the football legend, ex Brazilian National Player, Pelé, so this seemed to be the right time and place.
Kiev: cheap food, slim women, short men and a big attempt to speak English but with a very bad accent. Kiev – a place of contradiction – a place which made me uncomfortable but in a comfortable way. Over the weekend 24 – 28 May Kiev celebrated its 1530 year in existence. The weather was playing ball – in keeping with popular opinion that Kiev is generally a warm place due the warm climate of the Black Sea.
13 days prior to ‘kick-off’ countdown clocks signified Kiev’s excitement of playing host to this major sporting event. It is a big deal for one of the poorer countries still trying to join the European Union but one of the biggest countries in Europe.
I was keen to explore my surroundings – what was ahead of me? Would I have to dodge through echoing back streets avoiding ranting skinheads? Could I find something other than the traditional Russian style stew like borsch or salt and bread? Could I get by on a modest budget or would I book into a higher stared hotel and give up the adventure?
I cannot vouch for the prices during the UEFA European Football Championship 2012. I have the strong feeling that, like every good capitalist country, they will probably increase prices to meet the high demand.
Travel to the Ukraine
First Task was to book a flight. The best offer was via Amsterdam with a return flight via Charles De Gaulle, Paris. Enthused by the price Euro 189 or £178 I simply had to book!
By the very nature of my occupation I reside in nothing less than 4/5-star luxury however I wanted to sample a more simple form of accommodation – I was delighted to find a good one-room apartment for Euro 80/£64 right next to the brand new football arena – bellisimo! Now I was set to travel.
The flight was straight forward enough – KLM were generous in their hand baggage allowance so that was a pleasant and welcome bonus.
By the very nature of my occupation I reside in nothing less than 4/5-star luxury however I wanted to sample a more simple form of accommodation – I was delighted to find a good one-room apartment for Euro 80/£64 right next to the brand new football arena – bellisimo! Now I was set to travel.
The flight was straight forward enough – KLM were generous in their hand baggage allowance so that was a pleasant and welcome bonus.
Exchanging Money
On arriving at Kiev airport I immediately changed my money into Hryvnia – not easy to pronounce but ‘simple’ English to the locals proved just as difficult as trying to obtain their Ukrainian currency.
At this point, I must stress that generally there is usually someone lurking around who is willing to assist as an English translator when all your attempts at communicating have run out.
An important point to remember is that you will need your passport to make any money exchanges. It seems to be the law that identity be checked.
Having changed my currency in the airport, I later changed the same amount again in a bank in the city. The experience in the bank was not greatly positive. There seemed to be small rural village queuing method in the bank. People in the room sat around on uncomfortable cushions on low walls in the cold white and green painted room and agreed amongst each other who would be next.
At some point, they seemed to agree I was next. The wait was 40 min as there was only one cashier working on the four possible cashier positions and she had some inexplicable computer problems. After all that, the exchange rate at this bank, although it had been recommended turned out to be worse than that in the airport.
Read Part 2 for more on Kiev during the UEFA European Football Championship 2012.
At this point, I must stress that generally there is usually someone lurking around who is willing to assist as an English translator when all your attempts at communicating have run out.
An important point to remember is that you will need your passport to make any money exchanges. It seems to be the law that identity be checked.
Having changed my currency in the airport, I later changed the same amount again in a bank in the city. The experience in the bank was not greatly positive. There seemed to be small rural village queuing method in the bank. People in the room sat around on uncomfortable cushions on low walls in the cold white and green painted room and agreed amongst each other who would be next.
At some point, they seemed to agree I was next. The wait was 40 min as there was only one cashier working on the four possible cashier positions and she had some inexplicable computer problems. After all that, the exchange rate at this bank, although it had been recommended turned out to be worse than that in the airport.
Read Part 2 for more on Kiev during the UEFA European Football Championship 2012.
