Things are developing here pretty fast - its 20 degC now and on Friday the “Party of Regions” launched its biggest protest so far in Independence Square. 10,000+ people turned up demanding the government step down - they were probably paid 50 UAH (5 Euro) for the day to come up on the trains and protest - that is generally what happens. The funny thing is, its led by a guy named Yanukovich that was caught rigging the election in 2004 that led to the Orange Revolution. The weird thing is people don’t seem to remember that - well at least the masses don’t. So we are looking at an election in October (maybe) that will involve the corrupt guy from 2004, with the corrupt “orange” guys we have now. Ukraine is in trouble.

The photo above is the Olympic Stadium - or what’s left of it. It should already be looking like a stadium as it will host the Euro Football Championships on 2012. The crane you can see is actually supposed to be taking the half constructed building down as its being removed to make way for the stadium complex. They are using a couple of old Massey Fergs and a shovel to do the demolition on the old stadium - god knows where the investment money has gone (not hard to guess really). I have said many times they should just dynamite the whole place one day - would be quicker and cheaper. Its very hard to see how the place will be ready given the chaos here now.

I have my first court appearance coming up in a week. Yes indeed you may ask “What for?” - I still am. Apparently I have violated article CT 203 of the Kyiv City Administration protocol. This means a UAH 840 fine for me, our Head of General Services (helping with visa’s etc) and my landlord! This is because I didn’t get a stamp in my temp residence permit within 10 days of receiving it. Nor did I register my lease with the City (hence the landlord fine). I still don’t know what the stamp was for - but we all copped it and now I have a court appearance. The guy that gave it to me told me it wasn’t a criminal conviction but I do need to admit I was at fault - honestly, I still don’t have the right documents and I have been here now for 16 months - I asked him who I could sue! I wasn’t in a terribly good mood.

Its been a very tough week this week with work and things will develop more next week. Stay tuned - it will be an interesting blog to come.....

p.s. Pete and Lou arrive next Friday - that’s if Pete’s gets his Visa - yes - he’s had his first taste of Ukraine.