Pics of Protest

struggling up the hill

This was how Lesya and I spent Yushchenko's speech - clambering over hills and dales. (or over hills and sashas at any rate)

getting a view

We all had to take these circuitous routes in search of a view because there were so many people we were unable to get close enough to see by walking up the main street.

throwing care to the wind

at one point we scrambled up this icy slope over crumbling ruins. What's life and limb at such a great moment in history?

the pilgrim's progress

What was amazing is that the great hordes of us were all wandering along back streets blocked to all foot traffic on a number of sides. That this many people were traveling the side paths can give you an idea about how many were on the major routes.

caught the balloons anyway

We finally got near the square when they released the balloons.

route out

this is the route all the officials at the inauguration took, either by car or by foot.

stopped in the presses

Did I mention there were a lot of people there?

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This SUV was part of the caravan of officials, but not Yushchenko's. I was unable to catch his car, unfortunately.

Poroshenko greets the crowd

Poroshenko walked by and waved.

and a hi-5

he also did high-5s with the crowd.

noisemakers

These people seem to be beating some sort of noisemaker Lesya thought might come from Central Asia.

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Zacchaeus-eye view

There were even people looking down on the events from the support beams under the bridge.

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Zinchenko

Zinchenko walked by, more waves.

Vakarchuk

Also saw Vakarchuk. He came up and hugged people.

orange columns

They've painted all the columns on all the buildings in the square orange in honor of this event.

kid shots

Adding to my collection of cute kid shots.

cute kid shots 2

even more cute kid shots.

priest, chilling

Just a priest chilling with the rest of us folks.

Channel 5 interview

Channel five had a couple young reporters doing man/woman-on-the-street interviews nearby. This woman was exuberant, but also scary with her all-gold smile.

more orange stuff

This guy has an orange ball on a string. Cool.

Channel 5 interview II

Another interviewee.