Easter Week

We spent this last week outdoors as much as possible.  The weather has been delightful- near 70 and clear blue skies.  I have enjoyed witnessing the Ukrainian Easter rituals.  Special cakes (they look like giant cupcakes) were being sold everywhere- from the fanciest bakeries to babuskas with a few homemade ones displayed proudly on the sidewalk.  Daffodils are carried home in bunches and, yes, there are a few chocolate bunnies around. This morning I woke early to take a run in the botanical gardens, thinking the streets would be empty (as they would be in Washington before 7 on Easter Sunday!). Instead I was met with hundreds of people strolling to and from the large Orthodox church near our home (see my earlier post for the picture of the large yellow church) with wicker baskets.  Everyone was carrying them- women, children, even the large burly Ukrainian men.  I learned later that about the ritual of the baskets:
Families prepare the baskets with food they will eat later today.  Most contain the special cake (basically an egg bread with dried fruit with fondant frosting covered with tiny candies- hence the cupcake-like appearance), colored eggs and beeswax candles that are lit in the church.  Once the priest blesses the people and their baskets, the families head home for their Easter feast.
 Later this morning Gio, Paolo and I headed back to the botanical gardens to enjoy the weather. We strolled over to the church to witness the blessings and to listen to the continuous playing of the bells.  Later this afternoon we will head to the home of some friends to enjoy our own Easter feast. 
Here are some images from our last week:

Every playground in Kiev seems to have a bouncy castle type of set up once spring arrives.  Gio is making his way up the steps....

...and then throwing himself down!

A few requisite tourist shots of the most famous churches in Kiev.- 

St. Sophia's Church.

St Michael's Church

Another park, another bouncy castle!

Making his moves on an older woman....

Gio always ends up in the sandbox, no matter which park we visit.  And he always seems to find a dump truck!

Here's the look I get when I tell Gio it is time to go home.  Extractions from playgrounds are never pretty....

Being forced to leave the playground + doves = a fit of rage/fear/??? for Gio

Easter Sunday would not be complete without a dirt pile to climb.

Next...the "giant steep big huge hill".  Gio does not lack for dramatic expression.

These giant swings are very popular in Kiev.  Usually they are filled with rowdy older boys, so this was a rare moment when Gio was able to try one out himself.

In front of the church steps awaiting blessings.  And no, this is not how I dress for Easter Sunday services.

The noon line awaiting the priest's blessing.  This has been going on nonstop since midnight.  Apparently the peak crowds are at 5am!

The priest blessing the people and their baskets- he dips a tool (that frankly looks a lot like a toilet brush) in a huge bucket of water and douses everyone very generously with water. Luckily it was quite warm today as many got soaked!

Gio and Paolo emerging from the church.  I remained outside as I did not have a scarf to cover my head.  In the Orthodox church there are no pews- the congregation stands throughout the service.

We hope that all of you pass a wonderful Sunday gathering eggs, climbing a dirt pile, or doing whatever it is that you enjoy.  And for my DC friends and family....GO CAPS!!!!