Planes, Trains, Automobiles, ? and a business proposition. . .

 

By Lee:   This is for the men - any men out there reading this? 

        Getting around - something that we usually take for granted.  We hop in our car and GO!  Not exactly that easy in Ukraine.  First, we walk, a lot!  Which is good - because that is the best way to see things.

      We have used a variety of transportation since we arrived.   We have taken taxis, airplanes, subway and have a seen a whole bunch more.    I am surprised at the tremendous variety of cars - I was expecting to see lots of Soviet era cars - and there are - the Lada being my favorite.  I think that is going to be the first car I get the twins - because ownership of the car and learning to fix it seem to go hand in hand.  90% of the time - if there is a car broken down; it seems like it is an old Lada and the owner is working to fix it.

 

        You can't exactly read it - but the license plate in the center of the photo above has the tagline - "In God we Trust".   We are blessed with a great (and moderate) driver - but they do drive on sidewalk, compete with the trolleys and have their own form of traffic patterns here.  I am glad we are relying on someone else for the transportation.   By the way -some of the potholes are HUGE!  Swerving to avoid them is perfectly expected; why there are not more accidents - I will never know - it is a unique form of chaos.

        Other cars:  Subarus, Lexus, Mercedes, Audi, lots of small Fords & Chevys, Fiats, Seats, Citroen, Mazda, Nissan, Mitubishi, Toyota (lots of them. . . ) and I even saw a Suburban in Kiev.   There are many black Lexus GX480s - this must be one of the Ukrainian status symbols - big 4 wheel drive - similar to the Toyota Sequoia.   All I know is they must cost a lot of kopeks.  (4 to 5 kopeks = 1 penny).

         The boys and I have taken 2 subway rides - which are fun - but a bit challenging to read the signs and keep track of where you are at - we went to the train station one day and the XT3 tractor factory yesterday.    We are 2 for 2 on rides and NOT getting lost.  My simple advice to them when you don’t know where to go - follow the crowd - but don’t go through the turnstile.  Cost to ride the subway - 75 kopecks (about 17 cents).  It is a grand adventure.

         Now for the business proposition.   I had no idea - but apparently you are supposed to ground your car - providing a way for static that is generated when you drive (or maybe if you get hit by lightening) - to dissipate.    In my 4 years of engineering school and 2 years of grad school - I never learned that - but it is common knowledge here (at least if you drive an old car) - see photo. 

    I have arranged with Boris, Vladamir and Ivan to have 3 sea-container loads of these things delivered to Matts house - 60 day terms so we have to move them fast.   I was going to have it delivered to ours - but you have to be home to receive them - and he (hopefully will) agree to store them out on his street.  Anyway - there are 9 million in a container and we have 3 containers.    I am dividing up territories right now and we have plenty of good spots left - everywhere in the country.    To sign up - leave a post on the blog.    We need to educate America on the benefits of anti-stat strips- some cars have one, some two and I have seen as many as three on one vehicle.  I believe they also have agricultural application as well - so if you add in tractors, combines, farm trucks. . . just think of the potential!    Matt (& Laura) - hope you are both OK w/ this - they should be there sometime late next week.

      Just a fun post - we are here because we are being obedient to the calling that both Karen and I have re: these 2 kids.   One more day closer to bringing them home - can't wait!!       Lee