Monday, 5 April — evening

Well, I left it as long as I could, but work time had to come. The few details I left unfinished last week have turned urgent (of course). So time to dive back in. Fortunately, all the systems — file access, secure systems, etc. –  seem to be working for me just about as well as they do at home. Really solid. I give it a couple of hours of solid attention and then it’s time to break for dinner.

I remember my father saying that when traveling it’s often best to simply eat in the restaurant of the hotel where you’re staying. In this case that’s perfect (a) to save time and (b) because it’s one of the best restaurants in town.

And yes, along with the refined European menu and fine wine list there is also a selection of typical Ukrainian dishes. (Traditional food, but impeccably refined in the execution.) From the menu of traditional dishes I choose:

• varenyky (think mushroom gnocchi ravioli)
• borshch — absolutely delicious with Garlic, pickled lard (no really: thinly sliced and with the soup it’s excellent) and puffy bread
• a rustic cottage cheese dessert (think crustless cheesecake but less sweet, with drizzle of jam)

If I’d had a meat course I’d have been really overstuffed. It was all delicious. Sadly, no local beer so I order a Czech pilsener with that. I may be mistaken but somehow it doesn’t seem like this food calls for wine.

Yum! And then it’s back to work putting out fires. I also email Shockolad to see if they want the recordings for anything, and get a nice answer back that yes they do… So I send them a URL to the uploaded files as well as the MP3s. So, with some tactical planning done and some key questions assigned to others for overnight answer, I set the alarm, get into the soft soft bed, and drift off.