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Shopping
Kyiv’s shopping climate is rapidly changing. Modern European-style stores,
malls, and mega-malls are quickly replacing the Soviet monoliths that
once dominated the shopping landscape. Prices for western goods, however,
are generally higher than in the USA. Cheaper Eastern European or Turkish
goods populate local markets and open-air bazaars. If you are in need
of something specific, ask a local. Ukrainians usually know how to bargain
shop much better than Americans.
English Books
There are several sources for English reading material in Kyiv. The UEC
has several thousand volumes in English--from literature to religion.
The British Council maintains a book and video library available for a
fee. Kyiv Mohyla Academy maintains the American Library (formerly America
House administered by the US Information Agency) close to the British
Council (near Kontraktova Ploshad metro). There are numerous restrictions
for using both of these libraries. A growing English bookstore called
Dinternal, located just off European Square across from Dynamo Stadium,
has a good selection. Metrograd, the underground shopping plaza under
the downtown Kreshatik Street is home to The Globe, a closet-size outlet
of Dinternal. Most everyone speaks English there. Probably the largest
English-language collection in the city is the store Bukva near the red
building of Kyiv State University (Universitet metro). English books are
on the first floor and wind around in catacomb-like fashion. Expect to
pay the same as in the USA. The Baboon Cafe near Universitet metro has
both new and used English books. Petrivka book market (Petrivka metro)—the
chaos that it is—is home to many English books, quantity and quality questionable.
Souvenirs
The best place for souvenir shopping, and really the only place worth
mentioning, is the historic Andriivsky Spusk. A pleasant stroll in the
shadow of the gorgeous St. Andrew’s Church, you can find all kinds of
everything “touristy” available for purchase. Many of the table vendors
take special orders; don’t be afraid to ask. Many of them also speak English
pretty well, and will openly call to you to choose their selection over
others because they will make you a “special deal.” Don’t be afraid to
bargain. NEVER pay the first price they ask; it is always negotiable.
If you buy more than one item from one vendor, bargain even more for a
quantity discount. These booths specialize in all sorts of traditional
Ukrainian merchandise, such as martryoshka (nesting dolls) and large furry
“ear-flap hats.” A vast array of T-shirts, having everything from a map
of Kyiv to Lenin’s face on them, futbol jerseys and scarves of the local
Dynamo team, wooden carvings, chess sets, art prints, and a whole host
of other items litter the half-mile walk down the hill. There are many
extremely delightful handmade items and just funny souvenirs and the prices
are much cheaper than you would pay in a souvenir shop in downtown Kyiv.
Clothes, misc.
There are many places to buy clothes and other accessories in Kyiv. Metrograd,
a sprawling labyrinth under Kreshatik, offers a myriad of booths and shops
of all sorts. The only difficulty arises in trying to figure out where
you are and where you need to go to find the particular store you want.
Globus, on the other end of Kreshatik, is a more western type of mall,
with western prices. Familiar names such as Columbia, Timberland, Clinique,
Hallmark, and Diesel all have stores in Kyiv, amidst several other upscale
clothing, electronic, and various merchandise stores. Also, in between
these two “malls” on Kreshatik is a Soviet legacy in the form of TSUM,
which was the only “mall,” the veritable Wal-Mart during Soviet times.
Every large Soviet city had one of these sprawling complexes downtown.
You can find just about anything you want in Kyiv, especially household
items, such as silverware, or smaller electronics like alarm clocks or
watches. Besides these downtown places, there are numerous bazaars throughout
the city, some open air and some enclosed. Merchandise is much cheaper,
in price and construction sometimes, and prices are negotiable. However,
spotted foreigners will probably be charged a premium for their ignorance,
so it is advisable to go to one of these establishments with a Ukrainian.
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