Oleksandr From Mariupol

I arrived in Warsaw, Poland today. Before being granted permission to enter, I stood in line to show my Covid-19 vaccination document. Next to me, I noticed a man carrying a Ukrainian passport. He looked anxioius and tired from travel and as if he wanted to speak. I asked if he was Ukrainian and if so, could we speak Russian? He told me he was, agreed and immediately showed me pictures of bombed and burning Mariupol and told me his story. 

Oleksandr is married to a Russian woman from Rostov and they live in Mariupol, Ukraine with their 18-year old asthmatic son. Oleksandr is a seaman and has been away from home for months. Since March 1st, he has been unable to reach his family on the telephone and has been at sea on his ship. He told me several times that he does not know if they are alive or dead.

Finally a couple of days ago, he jumped ship in Brazil and flew to Warsaw. From Poland, Oleksandr will make his way to try to find his family as best as he can. Warsaw is a long distance from Mariupol and there are many hazards, with soldiers between and a Russian encirclement if he reaches the city. 

He told me that he knows from other contacts that the city is out of food and water is hard to get. I was not clear where, but he said there are outdoor water sources. Oleksandr says that Russian soldiers wait to shoot and kill civilians when they try to retrieve it. He has heard there are now thousands of dead civilians in Mariupol. 

Oleksandr doesn't know if his apartment building still stands, if his family is alive, or even how he will find them. He doesn't know if his son has an inhaler or where to get them in his ruined city. He has only a general idea how he will reach Mariupol. Another worry for him is that some Ukrainians have been evacuated, but the Russians have taken them to Russia. No one seems to know where they are or under what conditions. All Oleksandr knows is that he will do anything, including face death, to find his family. 

I offered a ride to the train station and we exchanged information. I didn't know what to say- all I could manage was a weak "good luck to you" in Russian and that I would do what I could to help, which really is nothing. He promised to stay in touch and send photos. 

Poland Refugee Crisis

I will be traveling to Poland and nearby nations affected by the war in Ukraine this coming week. Please follow me here and on Twitter. I will regularly post updates with photos and videos of the refugee crisis. We are starting a Go Fund Me campaign.  I am speaking with a doctor tomorrow who works near the border and plan on taking medical supplies. You can donate there when it is live.  

A Long Time Coming

I have been inactive for a long time here.  But changes are coming.  I am busy and very excited with a new project and all kinds of fun things are happening.  In addition, my friends at Ruport in Krasnodar have been busy coming up with creative ways to catch people's attention, brand companies and sell products.  I think the latest effort is some of the best work by their award-winning team.  The "Act Small" Forum for Entrepreneurs will be held in Krasnodar, Russia on October 18-19, 2019.  The folks behind the forum are eager to get Elon Musk to attend and so Roman Levitskiy and Nickolay Andreev at Ruport have put out a short promotional film to catch his attention with the goal of gaining his attendance at the forum.  With a clear eye at the headlines and a sense of humor, they promise to "only hack his heart". 

I do wonder what is in an Elon Musk sex shop, though...

Moscow Guide

Customers ask us regularly about guides, transfer services and translators in Moscow. We refer them to one of Moscow's best, internationally recognized, Artur Lyukanov. He is an expert guide who can capably translate and handle transportation services for individuals and small groups.  

  

Artur provides guided tours of Moscow and the surrounding cities of the Golden Ring that are tailored to the client's interests and schedule. I met Artur nearly a decade ago and have watched as his business has grown due to excellent customer service.  f you have one day or one week, he can make your Moscow experience richer and more interesting.

Perekrestok Store Opens In Krasnaya Polyana

X5, the retail giant, opened another Perekrestok Store, this time in Krasnaya Polyana.  It is located in Rosa Khutor and on the same side of the river as the road, the Mercure Hotel and the Park Inn by Radisson.  The store has an open comfortable shopping area, bakery goods and items often not found in typical Russian food stores.  This will be convenient for those staying in hotel rooms or apartments nearby.  Prices are expensive, but one expects that in a mountain ski resort.  Service was quick and helpful.