My Adventures Where in the world is ….

At the other end of that area there is this ball sitting toward the edge. At a distance it looks cool.

Close up you can see it is old and corroded. Still kind of cool though – despite the disgusting water it is in.

Can you see the snow – actually it is the fluff from the cotton wood trees that are everywhere and causing some terrible allergy problems. It seriously is like it is snowing sometimes.

You can see the fluff collecting in the grassy areas.

Yet another playground area. this one has huge tunnel slides.

Here comes the train.

Closer view of the playground.

This building is up the hill from the park. Looks like a nice new building. Don’t know if it is apartments or businesses or both.

Entrance into another amusement area.

Closeup of the amusement area with a small train and blow up boat.

The flowers and fountain fo the Opera House

The Dnepr Opera House

Another view with one of many unfinished buildings in the background. They are all over the city.

All around the building there are advertisements for upcoming events, symphonies, ballets, operas and more.

The newest advertisement.

Going behind the Opera House. The Opera house is actually also a famous school for preforming arts and so behind it are the buildings used for the education and practicing.

Another view of the back of the Opera House

There are many signs that are in English. This one is all around the city.

We asked what this was and it seems that the city of Dnepr has been building an underground Metro for many years (like 30 or so) and it doesn’t seem to be progressing too fast. We have never seen anyone working on it but the trams go around it and people seem to ignore it.

Close up of the Metro.

A Catholic Church we pass every week. This one is often busy. Last week there was a wedding or perhaps confirmations with lots of white dresses and flowers

We sometimes pass this building and we hear piano music or other music. I learned it is a Music Academy.

In the winter you can see this building better. It is a school and perhaps an exclusive one. The balloons are because yesterday was graduation and there were graduation ceremonies all over town. Everywhere from the kindergarten near us to the various elementary and high schools. Then later lots of families celebrating.

If you saw this sign what would you think it was?

This is the building with the sign.

So this is the name, Staker’s, a steak house and bar. Oh, well.

Here we go into the park – looks like a nice place – right?

Lots of people are going – many with children.

Views as we go in include a large playground area.

More of the playground.

This looks like a major train station but we know the train station is farther down the road from where we are. We learned later that this train just goes around the park. At a distance it looks so nice – freshly painted and all.

Up close it is just an old train with fresh paint and lots of dings.

There it goes.

A river runs through the park. I expect it is connected to the Dnepr but am not sure about that – it is certainly as dirty as the Dnepr is. there are boats to ride.

Close up of some of the boats

Another view of the river and boats

An Angry Birds game to play

In the middle of the river is an outside theater. This is the area behind the stage on the water side.

We wondered about this one. They spent a long time filling the ball with air. There is a man inside (I would never do that). They spent some time also securing the zipper closure. It seems to be some kind of a daredevil ride from the signs.

The ball is on a tether but it is out in the water. We thought maybe he would walk around but he just laid down and took a rest.

Several views of the park from one intersection in the middle.

The other side of the theater.

You can see all the pigeons sitting on the roof – looks like lots of things just sticking up.

Another view of the theater.

At the other end of that area there is this ball sitting toward the edge. At a distance it looks cool.

And the park goes on and on.

This poor swan is confined in this area. It is pretty disgusting. The kids were throwing bread crumbs in but the swan was ignoring them. The pigeons on the other hand were gobbling them up.

Close up of the swan – look at that ugly water.

Around the corner from the confined area where it was open were two more swans and some ducks/geese and lots more pigeons. The water is still disgusting but not as bad as in that small confined area. – maybe.

I titled this a Domed Doma. We think the roof is very interesting and modern building.

You can see the synagogue we pass on our way to Church to the right of a tall building. It is called ??????? ????? ???? – the Steps Business Center. We noticed the clock and its closeness to the synagogue.

This is a sign you see everywhere – ??????? – Notary. There are so many of them how would you ever know which ones to choose?

Great house. We pass this house often and I have always liked it – it is neat and clean and well taken care of. The sign over the door says 1890. There are flower boxes on each upstairs window and they have lovely flowers in them.

This is a view into the back and garage of the same house.

And like often happens here – right next door is…

And across the street a dumpster. Interestingly these are all around. People just walk by and throw their trash bags in. When it gets to this stage a truck usually comes and empties it but often the mess around it stays until someone – not sure who – cleans it up.

The building with the interesting roof is called the Circus and it actually is a Circus – I understand with animals and acrobats and trapezes and all.  There is always music coming from it as well.

This bowling alley is a short walk from our house and we passed it on our way home today.

Sitting in front of the bowling alley is a chair with pointy stick like nails on it and this bowling ball game.

Carl trying out the bowling ball game – these are actually bowling balls and heavy – but same idea.

Why is this major road blocked off?

A few bikers on the road.

A couple more bikers. what is going on?

In our complex there are flowers planted in the tire planters and also around the playground area. Here is a picture of some of them. They are lovely.

The playground freshly painted and ready to use.

This is a picture that I probably should not have taken. This woman is sweeping her walkway with a little broom. The funny part is a big broom is sitting nearby but she prefers the small one that makes her bend way over. Makes no sense to us – traditions.

This is the entrance into our apartment building. You climb up the stairs you can see Elder Morgenegg’s head.

This is our address. It says St. Polia, 2 – which means 2 Polia Street.

This is right inside the gate at the top of the stairs going into our building. You have to punch in a code to get the gate to open.

These are the mailboxes in our apartment – there are no keys so you would probably not want your mail to come here – but our utility bills are delivered here so we check for those. Our box is on the top just to the left of the plant.

So here you see (from our stair balcony) the lopped off trees are growing.

This is an interesting thing. Our heat is steam (through radiators) and the steam comes through these pipes that are covered with what seems to be rags. They are all over, some on the ground and some up high.

Crossing over the walkway we decided to continue walking to the other side. We looked down on the walkway and saw two men sitting on the side playing instruments.

Here is a close up.

Another sculpture. This time a tree. Later we saw yet another wedding couple putting ribbons on the tree – there are some interesting things hanging on it.

Cute critters sitting on the wall by the river.

Looking across the river on the south side of the bridge over to the island

Back of the Olympic training center

Southern bridge from Right to Left Bank of Dnepr.

Boat towing a boat.

The pulling boat – we have seen this boat with lots of passengers and music.

Being towed – this looks like a boat we saw on the Hudson River by Manhattan – that boat was a super speed boat – definitely one you would get wet in.

Gas Station on our way back to our apartment.

Close up of the gas station. Remember these prices are in Grivne so about $1 a liter. So not as bad as some places.

Here is the lead of the motorcycle “parade.” It went on for more than ten minutes with the motorcycles three to four across. It stopped traffic and was so interesting to watch. Some would wave and I waved back.