Kiev Memories

We had many vodka drinks on this trip. We learned that vodka is often mixed with a fruit 

liqueur. Many of them were very good.

 

I happen to like borsch and I ate a lot of it on this trip, however, the very best was in a Kiev 

cafeteria. It was hearty and superb. The worst was in the Moscow hotel.

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That year the Russian Orthodox Easter corresponded to May 1. Big festivities were planned 

for the breaking of the fast. Walking into the restaurant on the sunny Sunday morning we 

accepted a glass of wine and was greeted with Christos voskrese (Christ is risen). We were 

 

unable to respond in Ukrainian. We were then directed to a nearby table holding decorated 

hard-boiled eggs and paska. Paska is a special decorated bread which is always torn and 

never cut. The breakfast buffet held special Easter fare. A local gal translated much of the 

food for us. What a nice surprise!

 

Later in the morning at the Lavra Monastery there were long lines of people with their 

baskets of food waiting for it to be blessed by the priest.

 

We learned about salo—a pig fat product that is served many ways. It is white in color and 

reminded me of Crisco. Apparently it is popular in this part of the world although it did not 

appeal to me in any form.