My Adventures Where in the world is ….

July 7, 2017

The Botanical Gardens of Dnipro University

Filed under: Adventures Intro,Our Mission — admin @ 11:01 am

Well, today was a good day to go back and see the Botanical Gardens as the office was closed for cleaning and it was a cooler day than some have been lately.  We took the tram out to the end and walked to short distance to the Gardens.  When we got there the gate was open and we walked into the building at the gate.  There was a woman at a desk and we asked if she spoke English – no.  I used hand gestures to ask if we could go in.  I thought maybe we had to pay but it is free to go in so we went out the other door and into the gardens.  We headed first for the atrium which we could see from the road but there was a sign on the door pointing to the left so we walked around and there was no other door.  We ended up back at the front door and wondered what to do as it appeared to be locked.  In a few moments it opened and three men came out.  With them speaking Russian and us speaking English we managed somehow to communicate that we wanted to go in.  One man made a phone call and called inside for a Vera.  Soon she came out and invited us in.

What a wonderful adventure this was for us.  She spoke a little English.  “My name is Vera. If you not understand say so.”  Then she took off in Russian describing what we saw.  From time to time she would add English, “This tree 52 like me.” But her enthusiasm and obvious love of the plants in the Atrium was wonderful.  It was a delight to be in her world for a few moments as she took us all around and up the stairs.  I almost hated to leave.  Here are some pictures I took (not all of them – I took far too many) to give you a flavor of the Atrium and the gardens around it.

The Atrium at a distance.

The Atrium at a distance.

The Atrium closer. It is actually a very old building and not in the best shape but so interesting.

The Atrium closer. It is actually a very old building and not in the best shape but so interesting.

Our first look inside.

Our first look inside.

Maybe you will know some of these trees and things - I don't know most of them but it was so cool to see them all. This section is called tropical.

Maybe you will know some of these trees and things – I don’t know most of them but it was so cool to see them all. This section is called tropical.

Looking way up

Looking way up

It is another world inside.

It is another world inside.

This is a Mango tree. The kind of backwards 7 is a g.

This is a Mango tree. The kind of backwards 7 is a g.

So much to see. I am just going to upload pictures with a comment here and there.

So much to see. I am just going to upload pictures with a comment here and there.

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Orchids

Orchids

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Now we are going upstairs and looking down into the subtropical area.

Now we are going upstairs and looking down into the subtropical area.

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And up as well.

And up as well.

On the left is what she called "Africa" and in the middle and right is "America."

On the left is what she called “Africa” and in the middle and right is “America.”

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 There was a banana tree that was huge and a “baby banana tree” as well.  One tree she said was 90 years old.  Imagine growing inside all those years.

Next we went outside and walked around the area.IMG_2337

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Here is a rose garden perhaps protected by the statue standing out there.

Here is a rose garden perhaps protected by the statue standing out there.

 

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Maybe grapevines????

Maybe grapevines????

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Even in the middle of the gardens in the middle of the path is a manhole cover. Who knows what is under this. They are everywhere here.

Even in the middle of the gardens in the middle of the path is a manhole cover. Who knows what is under this. They are everywhere here.

So I hope you enjoyed seeing Dnepropetrovsk’s Botanical Gardens with us.  We enjoyed our visit there.  On the way home we stopped at another Renok – a much more upscale one that we have seen before and bought some blueberries, some green onions and some radishes.  Then we walked home.  It was a great adventure for us.

July 1, 2017

July 1 2017 – Happy 4th of July to you all!

Filed under: Adventures Intro,Our Mission — admin @ 10:01 pm

It has been very hot here.  We actually have been using our air conditioning and it is nice to take out the humidity and lower the temperature a bit.  The humidity is only in the 50th most days but even though New York had higher humidity – humid is humid and we were sweating.

In retrospect our adventure was perfect for a July 4th weekend.  We have learned that Ukrainians are very patriotic and that they truly honor their soldiers, those who are currently soldiers, veterans who have served in the past and those who died fighting for their country.

We went to a park close to the park we visited a few weeks ago that has the amusement park in it.  It is called Heroiv Memorial Park.  It is set in a circle around a large fountain with walkways in a circle and in radii to the fountain.  We walked a little ways to get there from the tram and it is a small park.  At first we thought – we this is nice but we have seen parks.  Then we got to the other side of the fountain and found a true treasure.  Below are the pictures of our adventure.

As we leave our apartment building we have a locked gate to go through. One the inside there is just a latch to open but from the outside you have to know the code to get in. Here is our gate into our building.

As we leave our apartment building we have a locked gate to go through. One the inside there is just a latch to open but from the outside you have to know the code to get in. Here is our gate into our building.

Here are the ten stairs up to our gate.

Here are the ten stairs up to our gate.

I have put up pictures of these tire planters. This is a picture of number one Polia (we are at number two) and their planters. The woman we mostly see here is oftne out working in her garden, watering, weeding and planting more.

I have put up pictures of these tire planters. This is a picture of number one Polia (we are at number two) and their planters. The woman we mostly see here is often out working in her garden, watering, weeding and planting more.

Here is the entrance to one Polia. She just recently painted the stairs red.

Here is the entrance to one Polia. She just recently painted the stairs red.

This planter is actually in the parking area, the one in the front is a pussy willow (in Ukraine it is called "kittens")

This planter is actually in the parking area, the one in the front is a pussy willow (in Ukraine it is called “kittens”)

When we leave our apartment complex we use this gate. Elder Morgenegg is using the "magnet" to open the door (I say magnet because it looks like a roundish magnet - it is actually some kind of sensor)

When we leave our apartment complex we use this gate. Elder Morgenegg is using the “magnet” to open the door (I say magnet because it looks like a roundish magnet – it is actually some kind of sensor)

Here is the gate from the outside of our complex. If you walked in and straight ahead past the other buildings on the right you would come to the other entrance of our complex where there is a gate for pedestrians and a larger gate for cars to come in. There is also a guard house there to open and close the gate.

Here is the gate from the outside of our complex. If you walked in and straight ahead past the other buildings on the right you would come to the other entrance of our complex where there is a gate for pedestrians and a larger gate for cars to come in. There is also a guard house there to open and close the gate.

This is a view from our gate to the complex across the road. The car entrance is always open here. There is not a guard or a place for a guard. There is at least one other entrance at the other end and it is locked but this one is always open.

This is a view from our gate to the complex across the road. The car entrance is always open here. There is not a guard or a place for a guard. There is at least one other entrance at the other end and it is locked but this one is always open.

The lone tire of tiger lilies is outside the nursery school under our buildings. We pass by here every day.

The lone tire of tiger lilies is outside the nursery school under our buildings. We pass by here every day.

After we left the tram we walked up a small hill. This is a view from near the top. It is hard to decide if it is a hill but it is. Compared to our weekly walk to the office this was easy. It was nice that it was so shady as it was very hot.

After we left the tram we walked up a small hill. This is a view from near the top. It is hard to decide if it is a hill but it is. Compared to our weekly walk to the office this was easy. It was nice that it was so shady as it was very hot.

This was the entrance into something that looked like a park but seemed more private - perhaps an apartment complex.

This was the entrance into something that looked like a park but seemed more private – perhaps an apartment complex.

A view up the last of the hill.

A view up the last of the hill.

As we entered Memorial Park there were a lot of statues. This is one that I took a picture of. I don't know what it represents.

As we entered Heroiv Memorial Park there were a lot of statues. This is one that I took a picture of. I don’t know what it represents.

This is a view from near the entrance to the fountain in the middle.

This is a view from near the entrance to the fountain in the middle.

A closer view of the fountain.

A closer view of the fountain.

There is a large playground as well. We sat in shade for a few minutes to rest and looked around.

There is a large playground as well. We sat in shade for a few minutes to rest and looked around.

I thought this round multi person swing looked like fun and the children on it seemed to think so as well.

I thought this round multi person swing looked like fun and the children on it seemed to think so as well.

The trees were strung with lights -ready for Christmas? or just still strung from last Christmas? or maybe they just leave them up all the time. We have seen places that are often lit up at night.

The trees were strung with lights -ready for Christmas? or just still strung from last Christmas? or maybe they just leave them up all the time. We have seen places that are often lit up at night.

Another "Christmas tree"

Another “Christmas tree”

A monument in the park - no idea what it means. I

A monument in the park – no idea what it means. I looked online and there is information about other parts of the park but not this statue.  It is pretty cool.

Here is a close up. While we were sitting in the shade for a while two little girls tried to climb the sides - they didn't get up very far but it was fun to watch.

Here is a close up. While we were sitting in the shade for a while two little girls tried to climb the sides – they didn’t get up very far but it was fun to watch.

Then behind this statue area there is the real memorial.  It was very impressive.  I am just going to put up the pictures I took and let you look at them with any dialog.  We spent a while looking around.  It seemed almost like a place to be reverent.

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Then we walked around a corner and found a more current memorial.

These seem to be pictures pasted on a wall perhaps by families and some others perhaps by an organization. The dates are as current as 2017.

These seem to be pictures pasted on a wall perhaps by families and some others perhaps by an organization. The dates are as current as 2017.

A long view with Elder Morgenegg walking along.

A long view with Elder Morgenegg walking along.

Next to the Heriov Memorial Park is the Rocket Park and Museum. We will go there another day.

Next to the Heriov Memorial Park is the Rocket Park and Museum. We will go there another day.

Then there are several official office buildings. They are very nice buildings and very well landscaped. I was careful taking pictures as we are not to take pictures of government buildings.

Then there are several official office buildings. They are very nice buildings and very well landscaped. I was careful taking pictures as we are not to take pictures of government buildings.

Across the street is another section that is some kind of a memorial perhaps government related.

Across the street is another section that is some kind of a memorial perhaps government related.

Here is another fountain we saw. I almost never have my picture taken so I had Elder Morgenegg take my picture here. The water is very green and ugly looking but the fountain is very nice.

Here is another fountain we saw. I almost never have my picture taken so I had Elder Morgenegg take my picture here. The water is very green and ugly looking but the fountain is very nice.

After we left here we walked farther north to the Central Renok where we wanted to do a little shopping.  We found yet another mall just next to the Central Renok with another grocery store – this one is called ?????? or Buffet.  It seems very nice but different from where we usually shop.  The produce looked very nice and the cheese section was much like Adams where I often shopped in New York.  It also had a large section with prepared foods.  It didn’t seem to have as large a section of canned and packages things as other stores have.  Mostly it was a chance to go inside and cool off for a minute.

Then next door to Central Market.  I like to go int he back section where the local farmers bring in their produce.  We bought a large container of raspberries, a large bag of dark currants, and a large bag of cherries.  These were 1 kilogram each and the total cost (we shopped at three different vendors) was 83 grivne or $3.18.  Delicious.

Then we went to the branch building to use the bathroom and get a drink before heading home.

After we got off the tram we stopped at a yarn shop on our way home.  We needed string for an activity we are planning and no one sells string.  I bought a thing (not sure what they are called – yarn comes in skeins – is this a skein too?) of tatting thread and I think it will work fine.  After I struggled to tell her what I wanted we learned she spoke English (that sometimes happens) and she was surprised I only wanted one and didn’t care what color.

Then we headed home.  We took a little nap when we got home, got something to eat and then cleaned and did our laundry.  It was a good day but it was very hot (in the 90s with high humidity) and we were glad to be home with air conditioning to cool us off.

June 24, 2017

A short adventure

Filed under: Adventures Intro,Our Mission — admin @ 10:06 am

Today we started our day early by going shopping for our weekly needs.  We are getting pretty fast at getting what we need and we usually don’t get much as our needs are not great.  We had two of our missionaries coming for dinner today so I needed a few things for that but we were able to fill our cart (to the “recommended” fill line) and get home in very short time.

Elder Morgenegg had been asked to open the office for the auditors meeting so he left not long after we got home and I finished putting things away and then started preparing our dinner.  I had cooked the potatoes the night before because I was going to make potato salad.  I cooked the eggs while we had our breakfast and so the potatoes and eggs were in the frig cooling.  I first made the dough for the cornmeal crescent rolls I planned to make and got them rising.  A funny aside.  The last time I made bread it didn’t seem to rise well so I wondered if the yeast was still good.  I put some yeast with a little sugar in a cup with some water and started preparing the rest.  A few minutes later I looked a the yeast – well it is still good – it was raising all over the counter.  So I had to take time to clean up that mess.  Anyway, once the dough was rising.  I made the Hershey’s Chocolate cake and got it into the two foil cake pans I have.  I can only cook one at a time because I don’t want to worry about it overflowing in the oven so I put it in a little bit larger pan.  It was good I did because it did overflow a little and the second one did as well.  Anyway, while the cake cooked I started vacuuming our apartment and cleaning the bathroom and then mopping the kitchen floor.  Once both cake layers were done the rolls were ready to be made up so I started rolling out the dough into rounds and then cutting and rolling the crescents.  I had 32 rolls when I finished which were in four pans because we can only use small pans in our small oven.  Then I started cooking them while I put my feet up for a while.  I had also washed up all the dirty dishes I made as I cooked and also from our breakfast.

Before I finished cooking the rolls Elder Morgenegg came home and we decided to go on a short walk.  Short because the missionaries were coming in about three hours and I still had to cook the pork steaks that I had bought and set the table and all.

So here are a few pictures from our walk.  We went north on the river walkway to the end of the walkway.  There was not a lot to see and the walkway is not nearly as nice as you get farther north but now we have gone there and know what there is to see.

This is the John the Baptist Chapel that is not far from our apartment and maybe you remember it from an earlier walk. It is a lovely little chapel.

This is the John the Baptist Chapel that is not far from our apartment and maybe you remember it from an earlier walk. It is a lovely little chapel.

What we didn't notice before is the little like pier out behind the Chapel.

What we didn’t notice before is the little like pier out behind the Chapel.

You can see the cross and there is a pool with steps going down into it - a baptismal font? We didn't know that the Orthodox church believed in baptism by immersion. Interesting.

You can see the cross and there is a pool with steps going down into it – a baptismal font? We didn’t know that the Orthodox church believed in baptism by immersion. Interesting.

I don't know if you can see the gulls but they seem to be feeding or riding the waves. Not sure but there were many of them there.

I don’t know if you can see the gulls but they seem to be feeding or riding the waves. Not sure but there were many of them there.

An interesting sculpture of a giraffe.

An interesting sculpture of a giraffe.

All along the walkway there are people with fishing poles in the water. We saw one man pull out a fish. I suspect they must eat the fish but I don't know. I certainly would not eat anything that was caught in the Dnepr River. It may look inviting from a distance but up close it is as bad as the Hudson River - maybe even worse considering what is up river.

All along the walkway there are people with fishing poles in the water. We saw one man pull out a fish. I suspect they must eat the fish but I don’t know. I certainly would not eat anything that was caught in the Dnepr River. It may look inviting from a distance but up close it is as bad as the Hudson River – maybe even worse considering what is up river.

This is a map of the city from the walkway and includes all the walkway. It was interesting to look at.

This is a map of the city from the walkway and includes all the walkway. It was interesting to look at.

From a distance this looks like a wonderful building but as we got nearer it is obviously vacant and falling apart. Very sad because at one time it was probably a very nice building.

From a distance this looks like a wonderful building but as we got nearer it is obviously vacant and falling apart. Very sad because at one time it was probably a very nice building.

The abandoned building and a building attached to it.

The abandoned building and a building attached to it.

After we reached the end of the walkway we decided to cross the street and walk home on the other side.  This is a very busy four lane road but there are cross walks with lights so we didn’t have to wait long to cross over.  The nice thing is on the other side it was quite sunny as we walked home it was mostly shady and very breezy which felt very good.

When I was doing some research for President Sullivan I learned about the Alfred Nobel University. I knew it was near our apartment and here it is. It is quite a young university and very prestigious.

When I was doing some research for President Sullivan I learned about the Alfred Nobel University. I knew it was near our apartment and here it is. It is quite a young university and very prestigious.

The grounds of the University

The grounds of the University

Elder Morgenegg and the very busy road we had to cross.

Elder Morgenegg and the very busy road we had to cross.

More of the University.

More of the University.

This very interesting statue is on the grounds of the university. It appears to be a large hand holding the world with a figure coming down to it Probably more but we were not very close.

This very interesting statue is on the grounds of the university. It appears to be a large hand holding the world with a figure coming down to it Probably more but we were not very close.

I love the name of this little cafe - Eatme Kafe. The pictures of the inside look so cute as well. Mostly these places are just coffee clubs but this one seems to have other things as well.

I love the name of this little cafe – Eatme Kafe. The pictures of the inside look so cute as well. Mostly these places are just coffee clubs but this one seems to have other things as well.

Happy Birthday Hot Wheels. Who knew I would see this sign on a street in Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine. The window displays were darling as well but after I took on picture I got some funny looks so stopped after one.

Happy Birthday Hot Wheels. Who knew I would see this sign on a street in Dnepropetrovsk Ukraine. The window displays were darling as well but after I took on picture I got some funny looks so stopped after one.

Here is the one I took - I was careful not to get any people in it. Gotta love legos - world wide.

Here is the one I took – I was careful not to get any people in it. Gotta love legos – world wide.

On the way home we noticed the bowling alley near us seems to be getting a make over.  The stairs are all ripped up and it is obviously closed.  Glad we already got a chance to take some pictures here earlier when they had the bowling balls on chains that you could bump.

After we got home I took a short rest and then started cooking the pork steaks.  I dredged them in flour, then in an egg/milk/mayonnaise mixture, and finally in my seasoned breadcrumbs (you cannot buy already made breadcrumbs as far as I can see but I have a food processor or sorts so I made my own).  Then I browned them in a pan and then put them in a baking dish and into the oven to complete the cooking.  They turned out pretty good.

I think the missionaries we had over enjoyed the meal.  One of the missionaries will be going home in August.  He is from Snowflake Arizona.  The other is from L’viv Ukraine and will be leaving on July 4th.  He is what we call a “visa waiter” and his visa has come.  He will go the Provo MTC and then off the Australia.  He is an energetic young man with very good English skills and a few other languages as well.  We had a good time visiting with them as we ate.  They lit up when the cake came out as well.  Who doesn’t love chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and ice cream?

Afterwards Elder Morgenegg walked them part way back to find the tram stop so they could get to the Branch building for an activity they are having there.

Now we need to do out laundry (we didn’t want laundry hanging all over with company coming) and do the dishes.  Most were done before so it is not too bad.  They I think I will collapse and call it a day.  A good day but another busy one.

June 17, 2017

If it’s Saturday it must be time for another Adventure

Filed under: Adventures Intro,Our Mission — admin @ 10:24 am

In some ways this Saturday was just like so many others here.  We got up early (sort of as I slept in until seven or so) and got our breakfast, showered and headed off to do our weekly shopping.  I thought it would be good to shop every two weeks and just pick up milk and other needs during the week.  However, the load was so heavy, Elder Morgenegg suggested that weekly trips would be better so now we shop weekly and since the store is open 24/7 it is much quieter early in the morning before the mall opens and the world gets moving.  It makes for a much lighter load to take home in our cart also so it is the best way to shop.  After we got home and put things away we were off on another adventure.  We discussed several options, some we will save for days that are not good for outside adventures, another we will save for another Saturday when it is sunny like today was.  Now it is almost eight at night and it has been a very full day.

We decided to revisit the tram we took out to the end of the line last week only we got off when we got to the “end of the line.”  It is not really the end just as far as it goes before it comes back.

First some pictures I took on the tram on the way out.  They are not as good a quality taken through the glass of the tram but I hope you get the idea of what we saw.

As we told you there are actually some streets with what appear to be single family houses. We don't see any of these where we normally travel so this was interesting to us.

As we told you there are actually some streets with what appear to be single family houses. We don’t see any of these where we normally travel so this was interesting to us.

Many of the houses have high fences that you can see over on the tram and gates like this one does.

Many of the houses have high fences that you can see over on the tram and gates like this one does.

Another house we saw. There are many along the route the tram takes. I imagine they don't like having the tram in their back yard. One interesting thing. The workers who collect the tram fees get off before the end - several stops before the end. Maybe they go on break because today the same two got back on at the same stop when we returned.

Another house we saw. There are many along the route the tram takes. I imagine they don’t like having the tram in their back yard. One interesting thing. The workers who collect the tram fees get off before the end – several stops before the end. Maybe they go on break because today the same two got back on at the same stop when we returned.

After we got off the tram we crossed the street and walked away from where the tram goes.  There are marshrutkas and other trams you can take but we decided to walk as the place we were going was not too far – we hoped.

Not far from where we started walking the road was divided by a very nice island along the middle. There were several flower groupings and the grass was actually being watered. We haven't see that anywhere else. Since we were heading toward the University and the Botanical Gardens perhaps this is all part of that.

Not far from where we started walking the road was divided by a very nice island along the middle. There were several flower groupings and the grass was actually being watered. We haven’t see that anywhere else. Since we were heading toward the University and the Botanical Gardens perhaps this is all part of that.

Along the way we saw some more single family homes. this one seems very nice. Most had nice lawns and lots of flowers.

Along the way we saw some more single family homes. this one seems very nice. Most had nice lawns and lots of flowers.

Dnipropetrovsk National University Botanic Garden - Sadly when we walked up to the gate we learned that they are closed on Saturday and Sunday so we were not able to go in today. We will save this for some day when we have a week day off work - not very often does that happen but you never know.

Dnipropetrovsk National University Botanic Garden – Sadly when we walked up to the gate we learned that they are closed on Saturday and Sunday so we were not able to go in today. We will save this for some day when we have a week day off work – not very often does that happen but you never know.

A view into the gardens - there appear to be pathways and lots growing.

A view into the gardens – there appear to be pathways and lots growing.

Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University This appears to be the main building although there are many others as well. It looks very modern.

Oles Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University – This appears to be the main building although there are many others as well. It looks very modern.

More lawn sprinklers.

More lawn sprinklers.

Just past the University we noticed a pathway into a wooded area. Later we learned this is Yurry Gagarin Park. We decided to walk in and see what all we could see. Maybe it is not the botanical gardens but it seemed interesting anyway.

Just past the University we noticed a pathway into a wooded area. Later we learned this is Yurry Gagarin Park. We decided to walk in and see what all we could see. Maybe it is not the botanical gardens but it seemed interesting anyway.

As we walked back in we could see many walking apparently through the woods so we walked along to see what was there. There seem to be tall buildings in the back. Perhaps campus housing?

As we walked back in we could see many walking apparently through the woods so we walked along to see what was there. There seem to be tall buildings in the back. Perhaps campus housing?

Yes, these seem to be dorms or at least apartment buildings.

Yes, these seem to be dorms or at least apartment buildings.

There is a playground there as well.

There is a playground there as well.

A large athletic field with a track of sorts going around it.

A large athletic field with a track of sorts going around it.

Past the field more housing.

Past the field more housing.

So now we went back into the woods.

So now we went back into the woods.

Hooded crow again

Hooded crow again

Camera shy hooded crow

Camera shy hooded crow

Okay, I tricked him and got a pictures=.

Okay, I tricked him and got a pictures=.

There were so many birds singing we stopped to see if we could see them. We were not successful but it was enjoyable to listen to the variety of voices.

There were so many birds singing we stopped to see if we could see them. We were not successful but it was enjoyable to listen to the variety of voices.

This is a thick lush forest

This is a thick lush forest

More of the forest

More of the forest

All too soon we were back on the road we went in on but farther along the way.

All too soon we were back on the road we went in on but farther along the way.

Pigeons are everywhere here and I am amazed at the color variety. There are pigeons like you might see in NYC or elsewhere in the states but there are also brown ones like this one.

Pigeons are everywhere here and I am amazed at the color variety. There are pigeons like you might see in NYC or elsewhere in the states but there are also brown ones like this one.

There are also white and various combinations.

There are also white and various combinations.

There is graffiti everywhere here just like at home but sometimes it is very creative like this one.

There is graffiti everywhere here just like at home but sometimes it is very creative like this one.

This is one of many vendors along the roads. This one specializes in cigarettes. Smoking is a huge problem here. Not inside, but just outside any store or restaurant or bus. You never see it in stores - although you can buy the cigarettes there - but right outside the smoke assails you.

This is one of many vendors along the roads. This one specializes in cigarettes. Smoking is a huge problem here. Not inside, but just outside any store or restaurant or bus. You never see it in stores – although you can buy the cigarettes there – but right outside the smoke assails you.

Across the street from the botanical gardens is the Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway - Transportation). It is a beautiful building with carefully manicured lawns and bushes.

Across the street from the botanical gardens is the Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway – Transportation). It is a beautiful building with carefully manicured lawns and bushes.

As we often see, there are beautiful almost new buildings right next to ones that seem to have been abandoned.

As we often see, there are beautiful almost new buildings right next to ones that seem to have been abandoned.

On our way back we decided to make a couple of stops.

We saw a small Renok on the way to the gardens and decided to go in.  I am so glad we did.  There were not many vendors there but they had amazing strawberries and beautiful apricots.  We even though we didn’t come prepared with bags they gave us bags and we bought a large container of strawberries and five apricots for 94 grivne (about $3.60).

This tram goes a different direction and seems to be much older than the ones we usually ride.

This tram goes a different direction and seems to be much older than the ones we usually ride.

We also stopped at ATB and bought two 2.5 grivne ice cream cones. The missionaries told us about this great deal and we bought some the other day. It was a great treat to eat while we waited for the tram to come.

We also stopped at ATB and bought two 2.5 grivne (that is about 9 cents for a nice sized full cone) ice cream cones. The missionaries told us about this great deal and we bought some the other day. It was a great treat to eat while we waited for the tram to come.

Before we got on the tram we went inside the TTs Materik Mall to see what was there.  It is a very big mall on three levels but we went upstairs to the second floor and there is not much there and you could see there was not much up there either.  There is a very large Cilpo on the first floor which we might go to if we go out this way again.

Since there was almost no one on the tram I snuck a picture. They now have TVs on most of the trams. You can see the trams are actually quite nice inside.

Since there was almost no one on the tram I snuck a picture. They now have TVs on most of the trams. You can see the trams are actually quite nice inside.

This vendor sells only bread - any many different varieties.

This vendor sells only bread – any many different varieties.

Here is another home behind a brick wall on the way back home.

Here is another home behind a brick wall on the way back home.

I thought this store looked interesting.

I thought this store looked interesting.

In the "dump" near our apartment there are often what we call Ferrell dogs napping during the day. We think they may run wild during the night.

In the “dump” near our apartment there are often what we call Ferrell dogs napping during the day. We think they may run wild during the night.

A rough calculation shows we walked about three or four miles on our adventure and then there was the mile to the tram and the mile home.  I think we got enough exercise for one day.

After we got home we were both very tires so we rested a while before we did our Saturday chores.

Hope you enjoyed another Saturday adventure.

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