"Kiev - Heart of old Russia" a Kiev Travel Page by smschley

On August 24, 1991, after the aborted coup in Moscow, Ukraine proclaimed its independence. I was lucky enough to make my first trip there in spring of 1993. The atmosphere was incredible. The feeling of patriotism there must have been what the americans felt after defeating England. People were singing patriotic songs in the street and when they found out I was an american they treated me like a movie star. The economy has taken a downturn and the people have lost that initial fervor, but that memory of 1993 will stay with me forever.