A Familiar Face in the Crowd

Here in Kiev, so many new sights. So much to learn about transport, connections, finding stores and such. But do you see what I see? Well, no not the ladies in the foreground. But train your eyes toward the background in front of the highrises.

I'm starting to feel nostalgic. Patriotic too. Let's zoom on in there. Dear ladies, please trust me when I say this photo session is not about either of you. They have just emerged from the Minskii metro and Saturday morning shopping seems to be on their minds.

There's nothing quite like a familiar face across the way. See those golden arches? Are they Beautiful or What? I mean, just think of allll the McDonald's you've ever frequented over the years. All over the world. Talk about exotic cuisine. ;)

Yes, there it is. McDonalds. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Yeah, ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Those could be good lyrics for a song. . .

Speaking of songs, further down the boulevard look who we meet. None other than Sir Paul McCartney. Looks as though he visited Kiev back in April. Not to rush things but it might be time to think about changing out that billboard. Hey Sir Paul, no offense, but your shirt could use a little mending there. . .

How to Attract Males: Rostov Bank Tells All

I keep an eye on this billboard because, for one thing, I like the Soviet Era Nostalgia art: It's enlightening and it offers a peek into the Soviet soul. You may recall earlier posts about Husbands, Pilots and Credit and then Ice Cream, Bread and Banking. I learn things from this billboard. Things that can help me in my own life.

Here she is, a young lady overlooking the Don steppe, standing by a vehicle, surveying the vast prairie. Looking for adventure? Waiting for a handsome Cossack to gallop closer? Let's find out.

Top lines: Would you like to be attractive to men? Now that's a silly question. Like, Is Putin Orthodox? Or Do Russians care for sunflower seeds? It's a given. So let's continue.



Oopsie, where did our ad go? Here's something about the Intourist Hotel. Quite a nice place to stay, by the way, overlooking the Don River. Not the most economical place in town (cough, cough) but certainly elegant with an dreamy view of the Don River.

Speaking of dreamy views, there's a gentleman heading this way. Mercy me, is the billboard working its magic already? Could there be a connection between merely reading about attracting a man and just like that a fellow starts in my direction? Let's include him in the picture just in case he's Prince Charming. He's clad in white, after all, and his white horse - well, it could be tied up back at the Intourist.



But hold on, hold on. Okay, our sign has spun around to our girl. Lets learn more while Prince Charming is still in the picture. There's bound to be a connection there somehow.

He's coming closer, closer. And we need to zoom in. . .we're zoom, zoom, zooming on in there. . .



Top two lines: Want to be attractive to men?
Third line: Get credit,
Fourth line: Buy a car.

Well there you go. Who would have guessed it would be so easy? Thank you SKB bank. One can only imagine the amount of research, data analysis and such that went into arriving at that conclusion.

So where has my Russian Cossack in white gone? He seems to have walked right out of the picture. Or maybe he's waiting for me at the bank. . .