Bill

Sometime back I tried to reach Inna at her father's (before I actually met him). She was not home, and I found out later he told Inna "George Bush" called. He knew my name, but for whatever reason, decided not to use my name, but to let her know "that American called." When I learned of his comments, it naturally ticked me off and I told Inna to tell "Khruschev" I would like to share a drink with him sometime.

About two weeks later I actually met "Khruschev" at the cemetery where his wife and other daughter are buried. (That's a separate post in itself and I will try to have it posted soon.) We had a good exchange and wound up liking each other in spite of language and cultural differences. Inna had NOT passed on my comments, so I took the opportunity of letting him (Vladimir) know I assigned him the nickname of Khruschev after him referring to me as "George Bush". Rather than be insulted, he was rather pleased as he thought Nikita Khruschev was a great Soviet leader and of Ukrainian origin (while leader of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khruschev joined Crimea to the Ukrainian Socialist Republic. Before, Crimea was Russian territory. Vladimir liked Khruschev because he wore the traditional national shirt with embroidery, and Ukrainian "kapelyukh" [summer straw hat].). This past week Inna and I had dinner (and a lot to drink!) with Vladimir . I also gave him a present of a photograph I took of Inna last summer. He seemed to be pleasantly surprised and pleased with the gift. I also took several photos that evening of him, he and Inna, and one of he and I. I have also had them printed and will give them to him before I leave (on Sunday, 25 January 2009).

I've volunteered at the Missionaries of Charity (the group started by Mother Theresa) several times since I've been in Kyiv, and last week offered to take photos of any of the people who came to the soup kitchen for a meal. About 10 or 15 people asked me to take their photos and I agreed. I had the photos printed and took them to the soup kitchen today (19 December 2008). Inna indicated she wanted to go with me to the soup kitchen to help.

Last night we had freezing rain, and it continued over night. The sidewalks were treacherous to say the least, and it was easier to walk in the street than to negotiate the sidewalks. I was concerned about trying to negotiate the "street" (more of an alley than a street) to the Missionaries facility. We attempted, but quickly found it impossible to navigate the ice. My boots, which seemed to have "great treads" were extremely slippery, and I quickly realized I was not going to make it very far. Inna was able to get just a bit further than I could, and wound up being stuck by herself on the ice. I looked around for possible solutions, including trying to use a piece of scrap wood as a "walking stick", but that was no help. I instructed Inna to remain still as I tried to find a solution. I tried to get to her to help her back to "safer" ground, but she wound up slipping and falling before I could get to her. I could not get to her and she could not stand. I finally told her to scoot along on her butt toward me and I was finally able to help her stand. We quickly back tracked to the street and made our way to the alternate access to the soup kitchen.

Soup was served, dishes collected, washed and dried, and I was able to distribute the photos to those who came back today for the photos. I was busy trying to locate the individuals and set the photos out where they could be picked up by the appropriate individuals. I also brought my camera today "just in case" someone else would want their pictures taken after seeing the results from the previous "sittings". A number of participants asked for their photos to be taken and I accomodated them.

Once all the work was done, Inna, Victoria (a young Ukrainian woman who also volunteers) and I started the trek down the hill to the street. Inna and Victoria both slipped and fell (I don't know how hard they fell and am concerned about the two of them!), and we finally made it down the hill without further problems.

Inna later told me how impressed she was with how happy the folks were who received the prints of the pictures I took the other day. She also told me how one woman wanted to have he photo taken that included the Crucifix and a photo of Mother Theresa. Things I would not have known without her input. I'm now looking forward to seeing the reactions when I deliver the next set of pictures.

The weather forecast for the next few days calls for more icy conditions. That's too bad as Saturday afternoon is the official lighting of the Christmas tree in Independence Square. Plus, Ann is planning on going to Korostan to visit Igor's family, and return to Kyiv on Sunday with Igor. I hope the weather clears enough so all the good things can take place.

I was supposed to return to Columbus on Wednesday, 17 September. Everything on the ship went well. The early groups got off the ship and to the airport, and the rest of us waited our turn. My group was finally called, and I dutifully took my carryon luggage to the gang plank and headed for the bus. Everything went smoothly as well. Darlene, friend of my sister-in-law was on the same flight as me and we kept together as this was her first trip to Europe. We got to the airport with plenty of time to spare only to find out our flight was cancelled due to a strike of baggage handlers. We tried to get the Holland America people to help, but their replies were: “Did you book your air transport through Holland America?” To those of us who booked our own travel were informed the agents had to take care of those who booked all their transportation through HAL. Next step was the airline, and those representatives advised there was a strike and they could do nothing (no meal vouchers, no housing assistance, no transport assistance!). Someone DID manage to really screw up my return trip. Good thing I took a close look at the paperwork handed to me! I don’t know where they got the idea I wanted to go (by way of Newark Liberty Airport of all places!) to Nashville, TN!!!!

I did manage to have the clerk correct that mistake, but she was unable to print out new tickets for me. Later on in the day I bought 5 hours of internet time (and it’s a good thing I did!). I spent a good bit of that time on Skype talking to a NWA agent trying to correct the “correction” to my ticket. Somehow, through all the mess my ticket got screwed up even worse than I thought, and it was a good thing that I spent the time Wednesday getting it corrected.

So, Thursday, we got up at 3:45 to get to the airport before opening up time of 5 AM to go through the same process and hopefully get out of Venice. It was a lot smoother today than yesterday. I am currently in the Amsterdam airport waiting for my flight to Detroit (which is going to be late leaving!). With luck, I’ll be home sometime!

Petya’s mom and sister arrived in Kyiv for a “quick” visit on their way from Moscow to Tvarditsa, Moldova. Ann and Igor were working, so I volunteered to show them around the city. The total time in Kyiv was a little over 24 hours, and we packed a lot of sightseeing into the time.

One of the stops was the Chornobyl Museum. We took a local bus to the museum. At one of the stops I was “shocked” out of my daydreaming by a loud “thump” which startled me. I quickly looked around to see an old man throw his crutches onto the bus and grab onto the handhold to pull himself onto the bus. Seeing his plight, I reached down and gave him a hand up, and then picked up his crutches and handed them to him. No one else seemed interested in his plight, which I thought was somewhat disappointing. I guess the attitude is “help yourself as no one is going to give you a hand". I would hope my actions would be an example to those on the bus, and others might be inclined to help someone else down the road.

Spending an extra night in Italy turned out to be an expensive proposition. The cheapest room I could find was in a B&B about 10 miles or so from the airport for €85, with a €20 cab ride in the morning!

The room was clean, big and with three beds! I shared the room with Darlene as it was easier for both of us. The owner or manager offered to take us into town after we checked in and we took her up on her offer. We found a Courtyard Motel with a restaurant and had lunch. I also noticed they had wifi. I booked five hours of time and spent most of the afternoon on the web (resolving my ticket issue for one, letting the kids know I was delayed, and did some other stuff). Darlene opted to go back to the B&B. When I finally used up all the time it was getting dark. I checked for a decent restaurant, and they were either closed or out of business (as near as I could tell). I took the bus back to the end of the line and walked the mile or so to the B&B. Along the way I looked to the east and saw a beautiful harvest moon rise! I wish I had my big tripod with me as the picture would have been fantastic. I’ve got a copy in my head, so it wasn’t totally lost. I wish I could share it as it was really beautiful.