10-23-2004

I arrived safely here at 11:10 AM Ukraine time which is exactly 7 hours later than your time.  I believe daylight savings time will adjust that to an eight hour difference.  I was met at the door by a gentleman with a big sign that said Ben Goldfield.   As promised, he whisked me through the whole procedure.   I was definitely sick to my stomach worrying about going through customs, sneaking in extra money.  Well all worry was for nothing! 
The customs guy couldn't have been friendlier.   Mom, I had to check my big bag, since they wouldn't let both a back pack and a traveling bag be carried on board.   No big deal here either.    Then after getting whisked through customs, I was met by Sveta & Sergei who will be my driver.   Sveta is a gorgeous blond girl who couldn't be any friendlier.   She is single but stop getting any ideas!   She talked with me about my ideas for getting kids and we will see how it works out at the NAC.   She has real high hopes for getting me exactly what I want.   I was then taken by Sveta & Sergei through Kiev to a modern hotel.  

Kiev is nothing like I imagined it.  It is a beautiful and modern city.  I swear it doesn't look that far different than New York, except all the signs are in Ukrainian.   Come to think of it, I bet certain sections of Brooklyn look exactly like Kiev.  Anyhow I was given my choice of hotel rooms.   I chose the deluxe model, with stand up shower at $45/night.
The hotel room also has a refrigerator.   This hotel has several working elevators.   I am on the thirteenth floor.  No comments please.   Anyhow next, I went next door to the supermarket.   Again, this supermarket looks kind of like a New York supermarket and with all the familiar brand names.   I saw Coke, Nabisco, etc.    They have a deli section with precooked chicken so I will be fine.

I met Vlad.  What a nice guy.   He should take care of me just fine.  Vlad and I went to visit Leesa & Cy Young.   They are doing fine and should hopefully get a nice referral on Monday, which by the way is also my appointment date.

Tomorrow (Sunday) I am off to an excursion in Berdichev & Tetiyana (spelling?)  which is the ancestral home of my grandparents.   I don't know what I will see there, but it is something different and I would have kicked myself if I hadn't availed myself of the opportunity.

Please believe everything is going much better than I could have dreamed.  Everybody is extremely friendly and helpful.  I am surrounded by love.   I will keep you guys in the loop and PLEASE call me Monday.   I will expect your call about 8 pm.  

By the way there was a massive and I MEAN massive demonstration right outside of Leesas apartment in support of the opposition candidate.   Its pretty cool to be right in the middle of history.   I doubt either George or John could have mustered the number or enthusiasm of these supporters.   This country is making great strides towards "western" culture and I am sure proud to be able to help in some small way.