Back in March, I entered my name into the lottery for the Champions League Final. I had no expectations of getting a ticket since I didn’t get picked for a single Euro 2016 ticket two years ago. Yet, on a cold night in Vienna back in March, I found out that got a ticket to see the Final in Kiev! I immediately called my dad. I was nervous because it was in Kiev, a city that was famous pictured for the riots just four years ago. This isn’t a typical “here’s what to do” post, but rather a “don’t believe what you hear” post about the lovely city of Kiev.

So you’re going to Kiev …

I got a ticket before Real Madrid had even gone through against Juventus. I knew it was a possibility that they could get to the final, but they had to beat Bayern Munich. Plane tickets were not cheap, and I knew they would get more expensive as time went on, so I just went ahead and decided to buy the ticket. I didn’t tell many people before the event that I was going because I knew what their reactions would be.

“You’re crazy.”

“Please be safe.”

“That makes me worried when you said you’ll be safe … in KIEV.”

Those are just a few responses I got leading up to my departure. I researched Kiev very heavily and talked to people who had been. So I’m setting the story straight.

The Truth about Ukraine

If you’re like me, you’ll remember that famous picture of Independence Square torn up from the riots. I knew someone playing basketball in Ukraine at that time (not in Kiev) who could hear riots happening. Nowadays, you’re going to be perfectly fine in Kiev. I never felt unsafe once. Now, on the other hand, if you have plans to go to Crimea or the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, you might want to rethink travel. The US Embassy specifically says “If you go to Crimea, we won’t be able to help you.”

In fact, according to the U.S. Department of State, Ukraine is only at a Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). That’s the same level as Spain, France, and the UK. Turkey, for example, is a Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), but I know people who go there all the time!

Like I said, I never felt unsafe once. There were police everywhere, and for the game, they blocked off streets. I was more nervous about potential soccer hooligans. Although a bit drunk, the Liverpool fans were nothing but nice to me. I was talking to an Irish guy behind me during the game and I had a few people congratulate me after.

The Ukrainian People

Before I went to Kiev, I heard soccer football analysts who were in Kiev talking about how wonderful the people were. I was sure they were just saying this to make it sound better. However, I’m going to say with confidence that the Ukrainian people were wonderful!

First off, when I landed at the airport, I ordered an Uber. I thought I’d had internet on my phone, but I didn’t. So once I stepped out of the airport, I lost my connection. Then, I couldn’t find the Uber driver. I was running around like a moron, and then he texted me asking me where I was. To my surprise, he hadn’t cancelled on me like the drivers in London. Instead, he got out of his car and came looking for me. On the road, he asked me if I was hungry or thirsty because he could pull over to a gas station so I could get some water! Finally, at my destination, he got out of the car and made sure I was in the right place. That was hands down the best Uber driver I’ve ever had. Plus, it was ridiculously cheap (only $13 for a 45 minute trip).

Another example happened when I was walking down to the stadium. I was just walking when a guy said to me “Welcome to Ukraine!” I muttered a “Thank you” and him and his friend asked me where I was from. Before going, people said to me, “Only speak Spanish!” or “Don’t let people know you’re American.” When I did my research, though, it said Ukrainians have a favorable view of Americans. I told them I was from the US. The guys then started saying, “WOW! I love USA! I love California! San Francisco! I love the music and skateboarding!” The guy talked to me about San Francisco. It made me smile to think that the stereotype of hating Americans is not true.

I really wanted to buy a scarf for the event that was split Real Madrid and Liverpool. Finally, I found two guys who had two scarves left and asked if they were selling. They looked so grateful and said, “Thank you! This is helping with my college!” They made me smile, and they were truly charming.

And you know what, it’s crazy to think that these people have truly suffered over the years in a way that us Americans, or other Anglo-Saxon countries, can never really understand.

It’s Super Cheap

I mentioned above that my Uber from the airport was only $13. I had another Uber ride that was $3. Ukraine is ridiculously cheap. I felt like I was cheating them out of money. My bottle of water at the gas station was $0.50. Even for my “dinner”, I ordered two bottles of water and a sausage sandwich. I think the total was around 70 RVH, or just over $2.

Kiev is an economical option that won’t cost you an arm and a leg and your youngest child. I didn’t get to see much, but from what I did see, the architecture is stunning, and the churches look gorgeous with their gold-top roofs. There are some areas that have strong Soviet vibes, but then there are other sites that are full of color and beauty.

Setting the Record Straight

I hope I’ve quelled any doubts you had or that your perspective has changed. Like any country, you have to be on your toes and alert, but that’s advice for any country. Don’t go out and get wasted (the Cyrillic script is hard enough sober!) and don’t be an idiot. Kiev is affordable, beautiful, and the people are lovely. All you need is a passport to get there (no visas required!) and you’ll be on your way to a good time.