Going To Kiev, Ukraine in July

Hello all...I will be heading to the Ukraine in July to do some ministry in the local church over there. However, I will have a day or two of leisure/sight seeing time. I have been to Ukraine before, but not before I was into the whole wetshaving thing. I was curious if there are any hidden treasures I should look out for while I am over there. This could include creams, soaps, blades, razors, as long as its shaving related you name it. If I am able to find some cool stuff this may involve a surprise PIF upon my return as well! So...There it is, share your secret information with me. Especially those who are in the know!

 

Wow, that sounds like a great trip! Solo, or part of a team/group? Do you have any problem a-speakin' the local language? How long of a trip?

Hidden treasures? I wasn't aware anyone shaved in the Ukraine....

 

How exciting! Will you be flying straight to Kiev, or traveling by way of Russia? If the later, leave your Superbowl bling at home

 

Part of a small team...I can read Russian, but my understanding is extremely weak at this point. Following graduation in December, I will be doing some intensive study of the language! I am leading a small team who will be doing some teaching, conducting a VBS and street evangelism. Yeah...that pic might be more indicative of the villages, but not Kiev...Its a pretty major city! The people are awesome...seem to be more much about relationship and hospitality than SOCAL.

 

We usually fly via Frankfurt or London...I have been to a Superbowl, but didn't get a ring!!!

 

I don't know about their shaving gear, but they have some amazing old cameras. I used to import old Zorkis and FEDs from the Ukraine.

 

I don't know much about vintage cameras...I'd probably get taken!

 

Ukraine? That is a long ways off. You will be like the Lewis and Clark of the wetshaving world - a pioneer discovering amazing wonders, charting previously unknown wetshaving territory, and opening a whole new world up for shavers near and far. It might be a good idea to bring some wetshaving trinkets to trade with the natives of that mysterious and distant land.

 

Cameras made in the old Soviet Union were built like tanks. They are incredibly durable and weigh a ton. A friend who was visiting from Czechoslovakia had one. He was taking a picture and accidentally dropped the camera onto some large rocks. The camera bounced a couple of times, but worked just fine afterward.

 

Good Idea...I may bring a couple items that are readily available here...Not blades as so many of them are made in Russia anyway!

 

If you are into straights, there were some sturdy Soviet-era razors. Two names that come up from time to time on StraightRazorPlace are Trud-Vacha & Zavod STIZ. These aren't museum pieces, but rather reliable workhorse razors that are made of hard steel & still have many fans.

 

There are a lot of nice Russian made creams and aftershaves like Tet-a-Tet, Everest, Kapo, Troinoy, Shipr that you may stumble across over there.
Sounds like a great little trip - have fun!

 

Nice...Thanks for the Rec's on the hardware/software...Keep em' coming.

 

Yep...Got a few I'm trying to get cleaned up to send to Glen for honing!

 

I've been to Kiev but wasn't into DE shaving then. Beautiful city. Make sure you have decent pictures of things you're interested in on your phone, it's a great way to overcome the language barrier when you're out wandering around looking for stuff -- a picture says a thousand words.

 

Tet-A-Tet Shaving Cream and Balm are fantastic!

 

Will be sure to do that...You should have seen how long it took my to describe what kind of dog I have last time I was over there. I can say dog in Russian, but have no idea on breeds. I guess, they call a Pug a Mopps there? Who knew?

 

The real and not-so-hidden treasures are Ukrainian/Kiev girls! Do not forget Kiev Cake (Kievski Tort) and cologne Shipr (dirt cheap) either.

 

Nobody shaved in Germany either...

 

Will be praying for a fruitful trip, both ministry and shaving acquisition-wise! Please keep us posted on your trip. Very exciting. I have only been on two overseas missions trips, both to Honduras. Loved the experience and can't wait to go again.