Hopeful in Kyiv

Kyiv, Sunday, May 25, 2014, 8:30 AM,  Election Day

Maiden Square from my hotel room

I arrived yesterday after a wonderful 5 hour express, non stop train ride from Lviv. The normal ride takes twice as long and is popular as an overnite sleeping experience.  This ride costs 5 times as much but is still only $30. I wanted to view the countryside so I took the express which leaves early in the morning, 5.50 AM, so I would be traveling in daytime.  The train is very modern and comfortable. You see the new and the regular older train here.


One of my reasons for coming here to Ukraine was to be where it's "happening".  By that I mean important history.  I've been inspired by how the Ukrainians seem to be dealing with the problem of lousy governance. The recent revolutions in the Arab world have not ended up well, and Turkey is sliding ever further into autocracy and, of course, Russia which showed so much promise has disappointed. Maybe Ukraine would be different

I expected to see some vestiges of the protests, but thought they would be cleaned up by now. But, as I arrived at my hotel I saw piles of tires. And after I checked into the hotel and walked out onto the square I saw more piles of tires all over the place.  And tents everywhere.

This place still seems like a war zone.  Yes, I know, the situation with Russia in the East, but this is a war with government. While the Ukrainians are hopeful, they have no illusions about the new government and know they will have to hold it to account on a continuing basis.

I saw several guys with serious cameras talking American and asked them what was going to happen here tonight, election eve.  They told me noone knows, but stick around here toe find out.

Exhausted from my continuing and accumulating sleep deficit due to jet lag and the excitement of being here, I decided to turn in early.  But my hotel room looks over the square so I could keep an ear open and see events, if they occurred, from my hotel room.

In the morning I was relieved to find nothing much had occurred. I hadn't missed anything and, more importantly, no violence had occurred.

What I've been priveleged to observe,  first hand, is that the people are not going away. In the city and country where I live, it appears they have and bad governance is endemic.  But here, one hopes, they will make a difference.  That, as well as the cultural wealth and economic opportunity I see here draws me to this beautiful country.

When I told people I was coming here, many said why?  Well now you know.  Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thanks for reading!