After completing required work in the UK it was possible to settle down and enjoy Kyiv. The summer was spent mixed between exploring the city and developing and recording video lectures for a new online MBA at Worcester. Within the space of a few weeks, I managed to get a reasonable understanding of the Ukrainian Premier League and the complexities of a winter break and a split in the season where the top and bottom clubs play again. This was required to underpin a couple of Dynamo Kyiv season tickets. Through this new affiliation with Dynamo Kyiv, the summer also involved watching a couple of Champions League qualification games, a win against Slavia Praha and a goalless draw with Ajax, which led to Dynamo’s being knocked out of the Champions League and entering the Europa League.
I have also managed to find a couple of local coffee shops and a patisserie to help break up the days when working from home. The cost of such things is generally very reasonable and it is possible to enjoy a break from work and grab a coffee from countless coffee vendors. I have never seen a city with so many coffee shops and ice cream stands. I am keen to see what happens to the ice cream stands in winter, whether they keep selling cream, close or sell something else required in snowy weather. There is also a reasonable craft beer scene, with numerous bars and restaurants selling a range of locally produced beers. The beers largely have a focus on pilsners, ales and black beers rather than the fruity and light beers which could be found in Beijing. This weekend I visited a craft beer festival at the Expocenter of Ukraine, which is great venue, with proud but aging buildings to explore a range of beers. I hope I am now ready for what the fall and winter have to offer in Kyiv, as after returning to Worcester for work, it will nearly be October before I return.
Robin Bell 