Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

       Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and all the best with the coming 2011!

Maidan Square NY Decorations

In 2004 Maidan Square was were Orange Revolution took place. In Nov and early Dec this year constant demonstrations took place on Maidan as people protested against the new tax code. To stop protests the government decided to put lavish Xmas and NY decorations. So the square is full of Xmas trees. See on  

Driving rules

Driving rules in Kiev are flexible. Interpretation of traffic sings significantly differ in Kiev than for example in A'dam. For some drivers red light is optional. Parking on pavement is a rule. Not stopping on zebra is common.

Recently when driving with Kees on one snowy winter morning Kees suddenly told me: "You are not allowed to drive on this road when there is snow. Do not you see a sign?".
Of course I saw the sign. I even took a photo of it. What I have not expected is to hear such a comment from Kees who spent six years driving in Kiev.
Seems one needs only few months in a civilization to forget bad driving habits acquired while in Kiev.

Dangerous dog walking

On Sunday, Dec 26th around 13 hours, the ex-Interior Minister - Mr. Yuri Lutsenko was arrested. The arrest took place near the Lutsenko's apartment Kiev's Pechersk district.

Mr. Lutsenko was walking the dog with his son when a van appeared from which eleven Alfa specnaz operatives jumped and put Mr. Lutsenko in the van and drove him away leaving the shocked son with the dog.
On Monday the General Prosecutor's Office opened a criminal case against ex-Minister Lutsenko on suspicion of embezzlement in which they cited he gave his driver an illegal payment of 40,000 UAH (EUR 4000). Additional prosecutor explanation about detention is that so far Mr. Lutsenko avoided prosecutor's demands to familiarise himself with the evidence of the case against him which is about 25 volumes big and Mr. Lutsenko cannot obtain photocopies of. Under such condition anyone would  have difficulties getting acquainted with the matter.
But given his slow "familiarization" with his case Mr. Lutsenko will be detained for next 2 months. He shares his cell with two other persons.

It is amazing that an illegal payment of EUR 4000 needs 25 written volumes for building the criminal case around it and that for same EUR 4000 eleven Alfa operatives jump out of the van on Sunday morning while the person walks a dog.

For more on the arrest:
http://news.liga.net/photonews/NF100589.html
http://news.liga.net/news/N1037702.html

Circus

Last week a fight in Ukrainian Parliament got some wide coverage. Five people were injured. There are few fights in the Parliament every few months.

Following the fight last week - this week Roman Vintoniv - the journalist of the TV channel "1+1" decided to go into the parliament dressed like a rabit. His explanation: "If the Parliament decided to be a circus, one should dress accordingly".

Bubik

I travelled to Zagreb last Monday. Due to heavy snow in Europe over the previous weekend most of the airports were closed and flights cancelled. I was to fly from Kiev to ZG via CDG. On Monday CDG opened for some flights including Kiev but my plane was few hours late. On the airport in Kiev I spent time with Valeria - a cheerful 5 year old. She told me everything about her flying to some city she did not know the name - only there is a lot of snow there. Valeria travelled with her mum - Irina, and her teddy bear - Bubik. I learned a lot about Bubik. In few hours we waited on the airport we became close friends. Valeria loves skating and showed me a dance she does on ice. I was impressed. I am convinced Valeria is the future olympic skating champion.

Due to delayed AF flight I would not be able to catch a connecting flight from CDG to ZG the same day. After some conversation with AF they rebooked me on a flight to ZG via Vienna.

In the Vienna's airport restroom I found one young lady sitting betweens two sinks and working on her laptop. Some way to work.

Irrespective of few hours waiting on the airport - cannot complain much. It could be much, much worse.  I actually had almost very good time thanks to Valeria and her blue teddy Bubik.

Pensioners Morning Routine

Every Sunday morning at 10.00 am pensioners gather in Shevchenko park and exercise - irrespective of the weather. They are mostly dressed in yellow - seems to be their club color. While they exercise - they put old soviet style music on.