Much to my surprise (and delight) I saw people are still reading my blog, long after I launched my last post in June. I certainly didn't expect to see this. And the best part is these are not just friends and family whom I had asked to read my blog.
In fact I have as many (actually more in the latest week and month) readers in South Korea as in the United States (my homeland). I am nowhere in the company of the great bloggers who have thousands (or more) readers - at least not yet. But since you are reading this blog I just want to tell you that I appreciate your doing so. For a writer, or at least this one, the greatest reward is knowing there is someone out there reading. Which means we are not alone here. So thanks! And if you want to comment below or email me please don't hesitate. Stats are great but words are even better!
I'm also motivated to blog again in spite of the loss of my notes (as previously reported) which makes it more of a challenge because of an encounter and commitment I made while in Kyiv which I will now, belatedly, fulfill with this post.
During one of my last days in Kyiv last Spring, May 31, 2015, at the buffet breakfast in the hotel where you meet people from all over the world I found myself talking to a young Japanese student.
From Holland where he was studying international law, he was on his way to Minsk, Belarus and then Warsaw, Poland en route back home to Japan. A busy young man he was stopping just one day in each city. Great to be young and able to dash around!
On the other hand he marveled at the time I was spending in Ukraine. I guess being ancient isn't all that bad when, without work or the task of pursuing a serious career you can indulge yourself as a layabout and spend lots of time in such a beautiful and fascinating place as Ukraine.
We had a great conversation about world affairs which I especially appreciated given the difference in our ages and backgrounds. We talked about Japan, the US, Ukraine, and international law in relation to the conflict in Ukraine and more.
A very nice and very smart guy with his whole and, I bet, very successful life ahead of him. We exchanged email addresses and I hope we hear from each other from time to time.
I told him what I had seen late yesterday out on Maidan Square. He said he regretted missing this unique event having gone to the Opera. So, I told him I would post a video that I took of it on my Blog which you can see on my next post.
