Gogolfest 2010

We made it to the opening ceremony of Gogolfest 2010. It was at Independence Square - the largest in Kiev. It was pretty awesome. These are not my videos, but I was there. The performance was created by Jurgen Muller.

From Gogolfest's Website:

The event of the year - the opening of GOGOLFEST with a joint performance of "Multiverse" by Spain's La Fura dels Baus Theatre (Barcelona) and the "Dakh" Theatre. The performance will involve around 100 participants, and is scheduled for live broadcast on one of the Ukrainian television channels.

The "Multiverse" performance (the name can be translated as "multiple universe") aims to demonstrate the unity and diversity of multiple worlds. Among the signature elements of La Fura dels Baus is the "human net", (a net composed of human figures), a wheel, symbolizing the movement of the universe, and a 10-meter manikin, accompanied by a fireworks show. The music for the show was jointly composed by the group "Dakha Brahimi and the composer of La Fura dels Baus.

We were standing about 40 feet from this wheel when it left the ground.

We were standing under the pillar when these started to go off... best seats in the house. (The fireworks ended the opening ceremony).

This was before the fireworks, but not as cool, so I'm putting it last.

Back in Kiev

Back in Kiev... I really like this city. Went to Andreevsky Spusk today.... Spusk means "descent", and Andreevsky is a saint. There is a cobblestone road that leads up a hill (or down it, depending on where you start), and there are all kinds of vendors - selling souvenirs of all kinds - along the way. Very close is the park in this video - - very cool art work. Enjoy.

Tour of Kharkov

Well, over the last few days we have had an opportunity to walk around Kharkov. I like this city very much. In some very strange way it reminds me of downtown Detroit - - just, with people walking around everywhere and no crime. Kharkov, like Detroit, has a lot of beauty - working-class beauty, I would call it.

We were sitting at a bar along the Kharkov River and Anya's friend (and after all the beers we had - and the fact that he took part in the "Ancient Dance of Slovakia" with me - he is my friend too) pointed to the river and told me that not long ago it was dirtier. That the government recently cleaned it for 'Kharkov Day'. He (Anton) explained that once a year things around the city would get done because of celebrations. It reminded me of all the improvements that were made in Detroit when it hosted the Super Bowl... Hmmm... I think Detroit would be lucky to see improvements even once a year.

While sitting at the bar a thunderstorm took over Kharkov for about 30 minutes. It was a relief for me. It has been very hot in Ukraine since I arrived a couple of weeks ago. And this was the first heavy rain since I've been here.

Last night we (Anya, Jenya and Inga) went back to the "Pivo Bar"... [Pivo = Beer, in Russian]. I like this bar. It is called 'Pivo Bar' because they have a large selection of imported beer - all in bottles. Although, no American beer (except Bud - but even that was imported from somewhere else).The American beer is too expensive to import.

I had a Guinness. It was a nice change of pace. The beer in Ukraine is delicious, but seems to be all lagers and pilsners. I haven't had an IPA or pale ale in months, roughly... Guinness is a stout, but still a nice change of pace. After a few beers at the bar we headed back to Jenya and Inga's house. Our first stop was 'Target' - a large supermarket (not the same as the American store). We needed beer, cheese, chips - and of course - vodka.

The vodka selection in the supermarket was maybe the most incredible thing I have ever seen. Yes, the Black Sea was beautiful. The squares in Kharkov and Kiev are lovely. The churches are breathtaking... but, the vodka aisle at Target was ASTONISHING!!!. It was 100ft long and 8ft tall. (I really don't think I'm exaggerating). It was amazing.

We went from the store to Jenya and Inga's house (that is Anya's brother and his girlfriend). In Crimea Jenya had already given me an abbreviated vodka test. But last night was more official - there was more vodka involved - and much more beer (for me). I felt proud as our cab driver flew through the streets of Kharkov, on our way home - and I was still awake. There was enough vodka involved for me to take a stab at discussing America's gun laws... We decided it was best to watch comical performances byRussian musicians.

Including this gem. The singer ('The Russian Sinatra' I am told) wanted to cover an American song, but the Soviets censored it so much that it turned into this.

Well, I hope you enjoyed. And, because that is about where my night left off - - that's where this blog post will end as well. (I will share some pics from Kharkov below...)

Anton and I after the bar...

PS. I have to admit that I finally broke down and went to McDonald's, although to my credit it was to use their "water closet". But, once I made it to the door I decided that french fries would be a delicious snack. Later that same night we headed back for a fountain pop. McDonald's is the first, and only place, I've seen fountain pop available... Everything else is in bottles because you can't drink the water.

FC Metalist Stadium

We have spent the last 4 nights in Kharkov. A very cool and beautiful city. Yesterday we visited the football stadium of "FC Metalist" (That's "Football Club Metalist"). It is the team here in Kharkov. The stadium recently went through some renovations - as the UEFA EURO Championships will be held here (and Poland) in 2012. For the European teams, this is almost as important as the World Cup - - so it is a very big deal. Kharkov opened a new terminal in their airport just a couple of days ago in preparation for the tournament.

Here are a few photos of the stadium.

Crimea (UPDATED)

We are in Kharkov now - Anya's hometown (Ukraine's 2nd largest city - and the first capitol - Kiev is the current). Also, it is the center of students and science. We arrived late last night - and have just been relaxing today. I think over the next couple of days we will travel around Kharkov to see what it is like.

In the meantime here are a few photos from Crimea. I will try to create myself a picasa or flickr site - so that I can share a larger quantity of photos - - the blog is not a good format for a lot.

The first, is my favorite photo. It's in Yalta - a district of Crimea. That's Lenin - staring at McDonald's... listen close enough and you can hear him rolling over in his grave.

'The Gang' - Left to Right (Jenya, Anya, Me and Inga)

Our ship coming in - to take us from Alupka to Simeiz (towns in Crimea)

Vorontsovsky Palace (below)

Sea Front in Foros (below)

Livadiya (district of Yalta)

Below is where FDR, Churchill and Stalin posed for pictures during the Yalta Conference.

Laspi Bay (Near Foros - the town we stayed in, southern Crimea)

Me pointing at the Church of Foros (church on the mountain)

Sea Front in Foros

Yalta (from a cable car ride)

In Yalta

Working for the weekend [in Kiev]

Well, the work week is finished and my vacation officially begins. But, I have to say, working in Kiev for a week didn't feel much like work. Everything was new and interesting. A very cool experience - that I was paid to have (don't tell Bob, the CEO).

The office itself is situated on a hill, and has amazing views from both sides. The mini-office (on the 17th of 20 floors) - that I'm actually working in has an incredible view - unfortunately it is behind me, so my view is the ping-pong table. Serge, has the best view.


The journey to work is neat. It takes about 45 minutes to get here. A 15-minute walk to the subway, a 15-minute ride on it and then a 15-minute bus ride to the office. The bus is provided by the company that Anya is contracted through - and is more like what we (Americans) would call a shuttle service. It takes a little longer to get to the office over here, but I prefer the experience. I like walking to the subway and riding it. If you need anything on the way (including a beer) there are stores and kiosks - and the same goes for the way home (obviously). Not having to drive is a nice change of pace. If I visited in the winter - I'd maybe have a different opinion - but, I think it would be easy enough to get used to. The time spent outside is only 1/3 of the total trip. (And not having to drive in the snow - or scrape the ice off your windows - almost makes up for it.)

The inside of the office is much cooler/casual than I am used to. I'd call it an "IKEA Office" - as it looks like all the furniture was bought there. The people here a much younger than any of the 3 office buildings I've worked in previously.

The 19th floor has a gaming station. There was a PS3, XBOX 360 and a Wii. Not too shabby. Didn't have a chance to play, but I'm confident the people here make sure it is utilized to the full extent of the law.

So, all and all, a pretty pleasant experience working in Kiev. I have no complaints. Good view, good food, good people and a great experience. Scroll down for a few more pics.

Anya and Olya in the break room (Both work on the same QA team as I do)
Anya and I on the balcony

17th Floor Lobby

Hallway (at the far end is the break room - my mini-office is about halfway on the left)

Catching up in Kiev's latest at the 19th Floor Lobby

The view behind me. (Overcast today - much more beautiful than it looks.)


And of course, some Table Tennis (2-2 on the day):

Off to Crimea... talk to you later.