In Kiev

Sunday, October 17, 2010

A'dam

Last week have been in A'dam. Initially, the plan was to spend there just few days. But due to the work the visit was extended. The entire week was a running wheel of meetings. But I managed to enjoy the visit and spoil myself with few concerts, exhibitions and seeing friends. The highlight was seeing Adriana - a friend I have not seen for more than eleven years. It was fantastic to see her three kids and start to catch up. Last time when I met Anna - the oldest Ari's daughter she was two. Now she is a wonderful young lady. Many thanks to Adri and Alex for arranging a breakfast and the meeting. I got so excited during the visit I forgot to take photos. I'll make some next time.

Lost and Found on the airport in Kiev

In May my suitcase never left Kiev while I went all the way to Kadavu. I wrote how unhelpful "lost and found" service was. Some have not believed there is no dedicated desk for lost and found. But it is true.

On the photo one can see a phone number an unfortunate passenger should dial. Good luck!
My experience with the phone is that the lady who answered the call immediately ended the call every time I started to report a missing suitcase. Good there are some instructions as these below!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

The vet

Few days ago Igor got sick. He started to cough on Friday morning. By Friday evening he really looked bad. He coughed very hard. He was gagging. I called Sandra and Maria for an advice. Many thanks to Sandra for calming me down and giving me some pointers what Igor could have. Following the phone call with Sandra I took poor sick Igor to the vet clinic. My usual vet Alexey Nikolaevich had a day off. The vet on duty was a young lady - Elena Mihailovna. Elena Mihailovna joined the clinic about a year ago. She is blond. With purple roots. Seems someone told her it is not elegant to do things quickly. So Elena Mihailovna puts efforts to be very sl.o.o.o.w.

I placed Igor on the examination table. While holding him I explained Elena Mihailovna his symptoms.
Elena Mihailovna attentively listened. Even more attentively she looked at him. This gave me some comfort.
After a while I exhausted my explanations and stopped talking. Igor continued wheezing.
Elena kept her deep gaze on Igor. Than she looked at me and very slowly and evenly asked:
"D o e s h e b i t e?"

Hearing the question I was at loss. Is she a vet? If she is afraid of dog biting how come she became a vet?
Igor's wheezing continued. I decided to leave questions about Elena's career choice aside and respond to her as truthfully as I can:

"Igor usually bites men. But as you do not look like a man you might be safe".

Elena Mihailovna gave me a penetrating look.
I was afraid she will see my serious doubts about Igor biting habits. Finally Elena Mihailovna said:
"I n d e e d I d o n o t l o o k l i k e a m a n."

Seems this affirmation of being a woman gave Elena Mihailovna confidence. She got busy. She measured Igor's temperature (39.4). Took blood sample. Gave him injections. Prescribed medicine. Igor did not even growl. Might be he liked her purple hair roots.

To Elena Mihailovna's credit - following her perscriptions - two days later Igor fully recovered.
He is already chasing joggers in the park.

But what an unexpected question from the vet.

Today the lab analysis confirmed Igor had a bronchitis.
Once again - many, many thanks to Sandra for her advice.