The British School In The Netherlands

There was no time to waste – we had to fully experience Ukrainian culture – so off we went on our first night to a traditional restaurant. We were all whizzed off in taxis in groups of four, praying to end up in the same place as communicating with the driver was challenging.
What a place though! They obviously applied the motto - the more, the better - as far as decorations were concerned. From nets to corn to grapes, anything one could find in the countryside could be found inside that restaurant hanging from the rafters or attached to the wooden walls. We were welcomed with a Ukrainian non-alcoholic drink: smoked fruit juice, which tasted like spareribs! Following the ‘borsch’ we were given a break from the undrinkable juice and served a glass of Crimean red champagne which served to get me prepared for the ‘salo’, something Mr Kuzio had described to us a tantalising delicacy. Out it came – a plate of various cuts of Pork fat served with some bread, which no one dared to try. Eventually, with persuasion from Mr Kuzio and peer pressure I tried it. The experience was filmed it and it’s not a pretty sight! After lot’s of laughs and excited conversations about plans for the rest of the week, we left the place and walked the long way back to our hotel where we had our first night’s sleep. If only I would’ve known what there was for breakfast the next day…
 Daniel Sanchez Clemente

Though we didn’t get to go to the Chernobyl site as planned due to bureaucracy, the Chernobyl museum in Kiev was by itself a very moving experience. Of course we got to see all the things that people associate with radiation, for example the double spined eight legged pig, however, what struck me the most was that we got to see the effect the disaster had on people’s lives. The walls were lined with the pictures of those who had died as a result of the disaster, and the impact of this was immense. The room dedicated to the children affected was incredibly striking . In the centre of the room was a small boat filled with toys donated by the children from a local school. Over the top of the boat there was an angel watching over the children, and I think that the memory of this room will be something that remains with me for a long time.

Elli Graves

The best part of the Ukraine trip was probably the night train. Why? Well, it was a crazy experience! The carriage felt like it was over 1000 degrees and the people travelling with us with extremely vibrant and friendly. Despite language difficulties we chatted and even sang and danced with some of the locals. The Crimea was was an eye opener as to how much I don’t know about Europe. Yalta was beautiful.

Rob Holehouse

The adventure began in a cold but surprisingly snow free Kyiv. We spent a couple of days absorbing the atmosphere of the city, listening to the protest on Independence square about the government corruption and the demands for all politicians to resign en masses and of course visiting the key Historical sites. The bus journey after the flight to the Crimea was undertaken taken in pitch black darkness, except for the half hour stop at a faintly lit Soviet style check point (Yes, the Crimea is part of the Ukraine?!) thus waking up the next day to the snow capped mountains, the golden domes of Orthodox churches glittering in the bright sun light next to the Black Sea was a revelation. Yalta was quite beautiful though crumbling round the edges. Sevastopol was also interesting, again a contrast to Kyiv, distinctly "Russian" and proud of it, crammed full of military instillations. We returned to a Kyiv blanketed in snow, which was great for the visit to the Museum of the Great Patriotic War as many exhibits were outside. Though I doubt many of the group will forget the last evening’s dancing – Mr Kuzio definitely has Cossack blood!

Miss Jackson