I am slowly settling in. As expected the first week was hectic. Took some time to get work email functioning. Something went wrong with my account. Apparently – on Korean side. I would be surprised if the email transition was smooth. I spent days in meeting, interviews , etc. In general I just tried to get some sense of what is going on. I am still amazed how polite and warmhearted people in the office are.
Due to retail expansion there is not much available space and temporarily I share the office with two young guys - Stanislav and Vyecheslav. They take care there is enough chocolate, soft drinks, sandwiches and cakes in the office. With them I cannot loose weight…They are also fun and we share jokes and tease each other. After Seoul my jokes are a bit rusty but I am catching up. During the last week I laughed more than in 3 years in Seoul. They are telling me fun office stories. I am updated on the office gossip and getting filled on different personalities fast…
I also looked at apartments. Moscow's experience came very handy. I did not flinch looking at overdesigned bedrooms with glass ceilings, bright yellow kitchen, huge flowers painted on the walls, strange light fixtures, winter gardens, BBQs, etc…I saw about 12 apartments and on Wednesday found one I liked. I wanted that the COO from the bank checks the place too and we made appointment for Friday at 1 pm. The flat has a great location (in the Center between two subway lines). It’s not overdesigned and has two guestrooms (if I recall correctly). It came with a garage parking. Friday morning I spent in meetings and when I returned to the desk and checked the mobile I had 7 calls from Katja – my broker. She was frantically calling me as some Russians from Switzerland also liked the place and were ready to pay cash for one year immediately - the same afternoon. First I thought “bullshit” but Katja convinced me that she trusts the owner and that the story is possible. So Kees and I went to see the place. Kees liked it to. The owner was there and told us that the Russians want to move to the flat at 16.00 pm. But as he does not like Russians and prefers lease longer than one year if I commit by 15.00 the flat is mine. So it was Gordie vs. rich Russians with their cash from Switzerland. Plus I had to clear the price with the HO. I did not believe it would be possible to get the HO’s response by 15.00 hours but miracle do happen occasionaly and on Friday at 15.00 hours the landlord agreed to rent the place to me. Ukrainians really do not like Russians - even the cash rich ones or especially these. The contract negotiation starts tomorrow but as long as the contract is not signed one never knows what might happen in meantime. Perhaps Russians will appaer again...
Over weekend I worked few hours at home. Saturday afternoon I spent with Kees and Catherina who are in Kiev four years. We went to Bessarbaski covered market. The building is from 1901. Fantastic art deco but I was mostly amazed by amount of veggies and fruits.
Did not see such abundance for long time. More photos of Kiev and market are on http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/Kiev_Feb_08
Saturday and Sunday evening I went to the opera. Norma on Saturday and La Traviata on Sunday. Norma was excellent.
I also looked at apartments. Moscow's experience came very handy. I did not flinch looking at overdesigned bedrooms with glass ceilings, bright yellow kitchen, huge flowers painted on the walls, strange light fixtures, winter gardens, BBQs, etc…I saw about 12 apartments and on Wednesday found one I liked. I wanted that the COO from the bank checks the place too and we made appointment for Friday at 1 pm. The flat has a great location (in the Center between two subway lines). It’s not overdesigned and has two guestrooms (if I recall correctly). It came with a garage parking. Friday morning I spent in meetings and when I returned to the desk and checked the mobile I had 7 calls from Katja – my broker. She was frantically calling me as some Russians from Switzerland also liked the place and were ready to pay cash for one year immediately - the same afternoon. First I thought “bullshit” but Katja convinced me that she trusts the owner and that the story is possible. So Kees and I went to see the place. Kees liked it to. The owner was there and told us that the Russians want to move to the flat at 16.00 pm. But as he does not like Russians and prefers lease longer than one year if I commit by 15.00 the flat is mine. So it was Gordie vs. rich Russians with their cash from Switzerland. Plus I had to clear the price with the HO. I did not believe it would be possible to get the HO’s response by 15.00 hours but miracle do happen occasionaly and on Friday at 15.00 hours the landlord agreed to rent the place to me. Ukrainians really do not like Russians - even the cash rich ones or especially these. The contract negotiation starts tomorrow but as long as the contract is not signed one never knows what might happen in meantime. Perhaps Russians will appaer again...
Over weekend I worked few hours at home. Saturday afternoon I spent with Kees and Catherina who are in Kiev four years. We went to Bessarbaski covered market. The building is from 1901. Fantastic art deco but I was mostly amazed by amount of veggies and fruits.
Did not see such abundance for long time. More photos of Kiev and market are on http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/Kiev_Feb_08Saturday and Sunday evening I went to the opera. Norma on Saturday and La Traviata on Sunday. Norma was excellent.
1 comment:
hi gordie, i want to reply,but not sure how to, hope this works, my best regards anna, loved reading your blog
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