Independence Square & Under Ground Mall

Under Ground Mall Stores

Today we went down to the Independence Square again today to walk around some of the stores. I am very surprised at the prices for items in the stores around here. Robert wanted to buy a pair of Levi 505 jeans since he only brought 2 pair of pants (1 pair of jeans and 1 pr of dress slacks). In the Levi store we went to find his size jeans which is 36"w x 32"l although he likes to wear them loose so he gets 38" waist. Well around here with all of the stick figures walking around in Kiev he had a hard time finding a pair of 38" waist. He looked and looked and finally said he couldn't find any fat boy jeans. Even so, he wasn't going to pay over 600 grivnas($100.00 US dollars) for a pair of Levi jeans he can get for $30.00 back home. All of the stores in the Under Ground Mall are high end stores with high end prices. Where is a Walmart when you need one. The closest store to Walmart around here is the outer mini markets on the outskirts of the under ground. They are the local merchants selling their goods, flowers and some little convenient stores with a walk up window where you tell the lady what you want and she gets it for you. Here is a picture of one of the mini marts in the under ground. Andrew is crying because I'm taking a picture instead of picking him up so he can see the lady in the window.

Under Ground Mini-Market

Since our apartment only had 2 mugs and no other glasses but wine glasses, we bought a couple of mugs (for $5.00 each)for us to use and keep for a rememberance of our journey at the under ground vendors. We also found a store in the under ground mall that had towels. Since we didn't bring any towels and have been using the ones in the apartments we bought 2 bath towels for $20.00. Those were the cheapest they had. Those prices weren't as bad as the jeans and other designer stores we went in.

When we eat at the food court in the under ground mall we have eaten at a Ukrainian cafeteria style place, a McDonalds, just like home, and a Papa Johns pizza. I took a picture of the Papa Johns sign since we noticed it's not the typical Italian face you would see on a Pizzaria back home. Check it out.

Papa Johns Pizzaria in the Under Ground Mall Food Court

Here are some other pictures we took of the buildings and stores in and around Independence Square. During the weekend the city shuts down the major road and some side streets off of the major road around Independence Square and local merchants set up their canopies to sell their goods, fruits and vegetables, clothes, fish, honey, toys, Ukrainian souveniers. It was raining last weekend, therefore we didn't take many pictures. We wanted to move through the crowds as quick as possible.

Stores off of the main street near Independence Square

Street Near Our First Apartment

Every day I think we shed about a couple of pounds a day just walking up and down the stairs to go in and out of the under ground to cross the street or go to the mall/food court. You certainly don't have to pay for a gym membership around here. Thats probably why the people are so skinny here. I don't know how the women do it here with their spiked 4-5 inch heels/boots. I've noticed each day Andrew's legs are getting stronger because of all of the walking and climbing stairs. He tries to get us to carry him but it is getting less and less. He is getting more and more used to walking everywhere instead of being escorted by car everywhere back home. Here is a picture of him passed out in our apartment after our venture out walking around Kiev today.

Our Sweetie. So peaceful.