"This is my Country. I love it."

Monday Kyiv 5/26/2014 10AM

Yesterday was election day here in Ukraine, Today, I talked at breakfast with a couple from Spain. What had surprised us, we agreed, was how quiet it is here. There are times walking Maiden Square when the word "peaceful" even enters my mind.

After breakfast I walked out ot the hotel and noticed groupings of photographers and TV journalists. I  decided to talk to one of the young TV reporters (I knew he was because he was holding a microphone and was with a camera man).  He told me they were expecting a demonstraion at noon. In answer to my question, the told me he had been living in Kyiv for 10 years but was from Luhansk. He asked and I told him where I was from. He appeared delighted and shook my hand when I told him I spoke a little Ukrainian -- and did so in Ukrainian.

Khreschatyk Street

Since I had time before the expected demonstration, I decided to wander up Khreschatyk street. This street is normally closed from vehiclular traffic on Sundays and people walk up and down it in fine weather like today. However, now it is closed off all days with the piles of tires.

National Philharmonic

At the eastern end of this boulevard I saw the lovely National Phiharmonic building. Then, wandering up the steep hill of an intersecting street, I found St. Alexander's Church, entered and heard some wonderful music.

St. Alexander's Church

I walked back to the square. There was no mass demonstration.  However, in the shade (it was hot in the 80's) a distinguised looking man (in a suit) was addressing an assembled group.  But, instead of listening, they were vigorously addressing eachother.  I was impressed both by the intensity of their debates and the apparent good nature with which they were being conducted.  It would have been nice if my Ukrainian were sufficient to have a clue as to what they were saying.  But, alas, it is not.  Not yet.

In the evening I talked to a young "soldier". He told me they were waiting for the election results. I asked him who he was hoping would win.  He said "It does not matter.  If they don't do what they should, we will return here". I then joined a small crowd watching the election results come in on the large screen set up in the Square.

As expected, Petro Poroshenko won.  The vote here seems to be for a guy people think is competent and can get things done. The idea is that the people will stay vigilant to make sure the things he gets done are the right things. They are well aware that he is an oligarch and has been part of the system, but this seemed the best choice.

Earlier, in the morning,  when had I talked to the young journalist, it occurred to me that I might be mistaken in assuming he was for independence, since he is from Luhansk, which is in eastern Ukraine, has a large population of Russian speakers and is now under the control of separatists.

In answer to my question I was put straight, and quite firmly. He said -
"This is my country. I love it!"

Thanks for reading!