Visa Appointment

It's hectic days. Today was a first packing day. I have a paid ticket for a flight to Moscow on Friday early afternoon. I still do not have a Russian visa.
In order to obtain a Russian visa one first has to obtain an invitation. I got the invitation for a working visa last Thursday afternoon.
To get an appointmnet at the Consulate - after one gets the invitation - one needs to send EVA - Electronic Visa Application via the Consulate site. I have immediately done this and asked for the appointment on Monday as Friday was a non-working day. I want to stress that when filling EVA one has to be clear what type of visa one needs and my clearly states working visa. Usually after I filled EVA I receive from the Consulate a quick email confirming the appointment. This time I have not received any confirmation. I explained this by the Russian Consulate celebrating Ukrainian Independence too. As I still have not received any response by email on Monday morning - proactive as I am - I started calling the Consulate. I got a signal but was disconnected after 2-3 min. No automatic answering machine. After few unsuccessfully dialing attempts - being persistent and not easily discouraged - I decided to go to the Consulate in person. Kiev is not Moscow so within few minutes I was in front of the Consulate building. However the Consulate Commander (guy in uniform with some stripes on shoulders at the Ru Embassy entrance) did not allow me in without a confirmed appointment. So once again I wrote EVA on Monday afternoon. I also wrote that this is my second application and that I would appreciate some prompt response as my employer awaits me to start working on Sep 3rd.
Within 15 min I got a following email:
"As you applied for Russian visa earlier this summer (in July) we feel a bit strange that you expect some response after just having filled EVA.
Referring to the info from our-web page you need to call or email us to get appointment."
While I was relieved I got some response from the Consulate - after all the efforts I made to get an appointmnet the response did not sit well. But what truly got me was that the Consulate felt strange I plan to go to Russia again as I was alreday there in July!!! Makes you truly feel welcomed. Or do they know more than I do?

Anyway after my response to the Consulate (yes indeed I was in July in Russia but guess what I want to go again and actually I plan to work there as of next week) I got the appointment for tomorrow morning.
Let's see if and when I can get a visa.
I am already mentally cancelling my flight on Friday.

21 years of Independance

It's eight weeks until elections and the Independence Day is an excellent occasion to advertise the ruling party. In the morning police was everywhere. Some main city streets were closed for few hours. Everything is arranged in a way to promote the ruling party.
So it was refreshing to see google doodle celebrating  Ukraine Independence.

Perfect Spot

There are many ways one can show to have a lot of money. To show one has a lot of money and a refined taste - is tricky. Showing off and refined taste rarely go along.
Buying a Bentley is a way to demonstrate highly liquid account. I would expect that with cash flushed owner would provide a nice garage as a suitable shelter for such an expensive car.
Not in Kiev.
This white Bentley is parked in front of a rusty garage door and next to garbage bins!!!
What a great spot for a tacky status symbol!

The First Kiev Biennale

This year from May to July Kiev was treated with its first contemporary art Biennale. It took place in Arsenale building. It presented works of prominent contemporary artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Ai Weiwei, Makoto Aida, Choi Jeong Hwa, Louise Bourgeois. Also works of Ukrainian artists were presented. I came one hot morning - planning just to quickly pass through. Stayed three hours.
I was moved by Lara Baladi "Diaries of Future" where artist made a delicate lace-like tablecloth of coffee cups drank by friends and relatives of her dying father.
Rashid Rana Language Series a big mosaic landscapes made up of tiny photographs dedicated to one specific theme. I found it amazing.
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Yulia's 365 days

Few days ago - quite late in the evening - while I walked Iggy - I saw a man putting some stickers on light poles.
Here light poles are "boards" for offering all kinds of services. You can find phone numbers offering apartments for rent or sale, cheap hotels, dancing classes, yoga classes, english classes, selling or buying cars, "cheap" loans. The man who was busy putting stickers looked somewhat apprehensive.
I have not paid much attention to it. 
Next morning I was curious what kind of service was offered on the pole in front of my house.  It was clear why the man was uncomfortable.
He put on a pole small stickers commemorating Yulia's 365 days of incarceration.
Putting up big posters would attract to much attention and would not be allowed. With small stickers - Yulia was on all poles.

Goodbye Maidan - Hello Red Square

During last few months I was deciding about my next assignment. After long discussions all is arranged. The contract is signed. As of September 1st I will move to Moscow. I have been to Moscow from 2001 to 2005 and had amazing time. Since I left Moscow in 2005 Russia's GDP expanded exponentially. The office business followed this growth. And even in current grim global environment Russia's economy continues to expand.     

I spent few days in Moscow this week. This was first visit after seven and half years. I received a fantastic warm welcome. The office is in the new building. Much larger than years ago. In the I met many new faces. But it was heartwarming to meet colleagues I worked with years ago. It was great to meet after so many years.  

While I am excited about moving to Moscow it will be difficult to leave cozy, friendly and green Kiev. I will also miss the Kiev team. But Moscow is only a short flight from Kiev. I am sure I will return  frequently. 

Next few weeks I will be busy with the moving arrangements. Move requires a lot of paperwork. Many things needs to be sorted out.

This is not the last post but four weeks will pass quickly. And I need long closures.

Farewell to Kati and Necko

Last week my close friends left Kiev. Kati and Necko with their kids - Iyla and Amar left for Canada.
I met Kati and Necko in Sarajevo in April 2009. We immediately clicked but none of us expected that in only few months we will meet again in Kiev.
They were great friends. Necko was always ready to explore Kiev scene. But all explorations ended up with Louis and Yulia in their Vernisage.
It was sad to part but I am sure we will stay in touch.
Louis arranged an amazing farewell for Necko and few photos are:
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