Travel Guide to Kyiv

[docetae]

Hello,

First travel in Kyiv soon and I have a few questions , google was not able to answer to all of them Please do no try to find any kind of logic between these various topics ...

- Where to buy a prepaid simcard ?
- Does EGPRS (EDGE) is supported in Kyiv ?
- Is wine expensive and where to buy good french wine ? If everything goes well, I'm planning to cook a souper in my appartement ...
- What is the average height for Ukrainian people ?
- When a bed size is noticed as king, is this a real king size bed or shorter ?

Thanks

Doc

[START2]

Doc,

Haven't you heard that good California wines have slowly taken over whatever it is that france offers? You may also want to check out the Crimean wines. Very tasty especially the the ones from Massandra winery. I believe it was Nicolas II that first established these vinyards that supplied his household. It's located outside of Yalta. For years Russia raided the wines that came from this area. I think a good rose muscat(sp) would be a good choice but that will be up to you.

[Casanova]

- Where to buy a prepaid simcard ?
- Does EGPRS (EDGE) is supported in Kyiv ?
- Is wine expensive and where to buy good french wine ? If everything goes well, I'm planning to cook a souper in my appartement ...
- What is the average height for Ukrainian people ?
- When a bed size is noticed as king, is this a real king size bed or shorter ?

They are sold at many kiosks on the streets of Kiev, shops/stores, and even "Radio Bizzarre" where cell (mobile) phones of EVERY kind can be bought very inexpensively (though some may be 'hot'), and SIM cards, new in the envelope (Kiev Star) for a low 10 grivna (true fact).  Any taxi driver knows where this is, but have a trusted Russian/Ukrianian native do the negotiating/speaking, and just know mobile phones there will average $50 and up (depending on who and how negotiation is done), and as I said, NEW SIM CARDS in the envelope from KIEV STAR for 10 grivna.  Also, you can buy them at bus stops, and 'some' metro stations, etc. etc.   If you are Ukrainian, you can get SIM Cards for 5 grivna (Radio Bizzarre).  You can even get them at "official dealers" in Globus, and other shops right along Kraschetyk.

    *As for wine, pay more on Kraschetyk, or less at the BIG 'Walmart' supercenter style markets around Kiev, particularly the areas AWAY from the center.  (As a rule, the further from the center you shop, the less expensive items are.  Most modern supermarkets in Kiev have as many choices of items as American markets or ALMOST).

     Average height of Ukrainian people? Villager's seem to appear smaller in some cases (maybe it's the shoes they wear), some Ukrainian's feel the girls from villages are a bit smaller.  Personally, I never noticed a difference

      King size beds in Ukrainian perception (and reality) are shorter, and not as wide as the King size beds we are used to in America

[docetae]

Thanks for the answers, as i'm born in France and spent 24 years of my life there, I have a better knowledge of french wine rather than the one from California

I'm more looking for something like a St Estephe , a St Emilion or a Pouilly if I consider a white wine  (Pouilly with salmon is excellent). I will definitely try Crimean wines.

A muscat is definitely a wine for summer time, to drink outside with friends .

Bad news for the bed .. I'm 6ft6 (and the lady I will meet is 5ft11 1/2) .

[Casanova]

There are some cafes just a few blocks off Kraschetyk where wine is 4 grivna per glass, and quite decent.  Also, keep in mind, that depending on your UW, many are quite proud of their Crimean Wines, and these bring good memories to many, as this is the area of their vacations (Crimea, Yalta, etc.) - many from childhood - and this alone brings back happy memories for them from the seaside.