Yesterday morning kamikaze drones were attacking Kyiv. Sounds like the Terminator for real. Robotic death machines swarming into a city. I am sure there was a Black Mirror episode like this. But this is not a TV show. This is Kyiv and what Russia is doing, with Iran’s help, is pure evil. How many of these death drones are there? I assume they can just keep on making them. It is all insane. I understand that the Ukrainian military shot down about 80% of these flying nightmares.

“It’s 2022 and a member of the UN Security Council is launching waves of kamikaze drones at civilians in a European capital city.”

This modern story of good VS evil is playing out right in front of the eyes of the world. When will the pain be enough for the West to step up in the biggest possible way they can and help Ukraine put an end to the devil. How many people need to die before this happens? If Ukraine falls, which I do not believe will happen, then what kind of a world are we living in. A different world than we all knew. If Russia gets away with this nightmare then the world as we know it has become rotten to the point where nowhere will be cosy anymore. The stakes could not be higher. Ukraine is fighting for the world. Sadly, I don’t think most actually get this.

This clip below is from 2019. Leaving the Trump shit aside, America’s relationship with Ukraine is paramount.

“We could benefit from the experience of Ukrainians, not the other way round.”

“A free and prosperous Ukraine is important to the security of the Ukrainian people, the United States of America, and the rest of the world.”

Duke Nukem was a famous video game from way back then. It is no longer. I was never a gamer so my knowledge of gaming, and also, my grasp of Russia, are minimal. I don’t really care to know Russia. I was there 20 years ago once and visited its two main cities. It was a different time and Russia was a mystery to most. And now, they are a terrorist organization. I do know a fair amount about Ukraine though. It is a very different country to Russia despite the ignorance in the world about these two nations.

Putin will arrive at the the same place as this old game. He will be cancelled at some point. And the sooner the better.

I had been writing this blog piece below over the past few weeks. Just reflecting and thinking. And also, simply dreaming. About being back in Kyiv and not having to wonder any more about when the war will end. I was going to put this blog piece out this week and then this morning Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine were attacked and it is very scary and incredibly sad. Makes this blog piece now all feel rather unreal, but this is the Kyiv I know and love. I believe Ukraine will heal and get stronger and be better than ever. The West needs to help Ukraine more. Russia is a pure terrorist state and if they get away with this war they will not stop. Further, their acts of evil will spur on North Korea and every other dictatorship. There is way more at stake here than just Ukraine. I am amazed how complacent the free world actually is. Help Ukraine now. No one is asking the West to send in soldiers or risk their lives, but the least they can do is give Ukraine what it needs to win this war. Ukraine is fighting for Europe and the democratic world.

Ukraine is not firing missiles at cities in Russia and killing innocent people there. But Russia does this constantly, and yet, they are a member of United Nations Security Council. I really don’t get it. I don’t get any of this. I don’t get why Mr. Zelensky has to beg for help. The West should be embracing Ukraine. They are doing the world’s dirty work.

_________________________________________________

Last month I was in Kyiv. The journey to get there from George in South Africa was long and intense, but was worth it. Kyiv is a magical city. A well kept secret in the world. It was good to be back at the Nest and to see some of our friends. I got a bunch of important stuff sorted out and walked the streets as much as I could. I believe we will back in Kyiv by the time this coming winter ends.

There were many things I made notes of during this time. Things that were different. Stuff that I noticed. And of course, things that were the same. Like the spirit of the people and the love of the city. One thing that was still pretty similar was the traffic in the city center. But what I did not see were sports cars and bling mobiles. There were still enough Mercedes cars and Range Rovers, and mostly in the colour black, but nothing more exotic than that. I was told that either the nouveau riche with the flashy wheels all went abroad or they are simply too embarrassed to drive such cars now all things being considered. I would say about 1 out of 5 shops have closed and that the city was running at about 50% capacity. That is my gut feeling. I was told that a few months ago it felt like a ghost town so I was very encouraged to feel the buzz of the city while I was there. Life goes on.

Most of our favourite restaurants are still open and many of them were pretty busy. Not packed, but not quiet either. When I chatted to some of the waiters at JZL they told me it is not full like it used to be but that business was ok. Not great, but not a disaster. I took some new friends from CBS there for a bite one Sunday as well as an afternoon Kyiv tour, and it was a fantastic meal and a fun tour. Also, there are a bunch of new places that have opened up. Kyiv never stops amazing me.

There was an infectious positivity and optimism when I was there. You felt it everywhere you went. And there was an incredible consciousnesses and respect for those who were at the front, fighting the war. No one in Kyiv is taking anything for granted.

I had a brilliant cheeseburger in Lviv on route to Kyiv at a placed called Epic Cheeseburger. It was seriously off the charts good, and the place was rocking. When I told my friend Anton in Kyiv about this he said “we are living every day like it could be the last”. We both smiled and laughed. It was a kinda nervous laugh. There is war on the go, and things are far from normal, and yet, people find humour in everything in Ukraine, and life not only goes on, but it goes on like it does in Israel, with spirit and passion. I am back in South Africa now and I miss Kyiv.

At night you can see a noticeable difference. When you look out the window you don’t see any cars on the road after 11 pm and all the city lights are off all the time. The kitsch neon signs and high-tech high-rise building advertising that are a part of the Kyiv evening landscape are not lighting up the sky at present. They will be back on again I know, and will light up the sky like before. It is a unique city and the kitschness just somehow all works.

The exciting energy is Kyiv is hard to describe in words. And now, in the past few weeks, there is increased bravado, and razor sharp humour, unity like never before, innovation, and a whole lot more. One very important point: no one behaves like victims. A country at war, invaded by its insane neighbour, for no reason, and a nation that is positive and optimistic. Yes, there is a lot of pain still to come, but Ukraine will win this war, and they will rebuild. I miss the positive energy. Back in SA there is a negative vibe and there is no war here.

Here are some pics I took in the city center. These are some of the iconic historical places that make Kyiv what it is. And now, they have decommissioned war machines as an added attraction. Dark and haunting, and in some strange way, empowering. Life does go on indeed.

The Internet has gone wild since the sun came up today with the memes and comments. Whoever would have thought that burning a bridge would get such an excited response. The news of the damaged Crimean bridge has everyone cheering in Ukraine, and here in Fancourt. Just incredible. The Bunster got in on the action too.

The Kerch bridge bombing this morning is HUGE. And Ukraine is a social media superpower. Within hours of the Crimean bridge attack, quality jokes are everywhere.

Where did these last couple of years go?! Wow, what a blur. The Bunster is 2 years old today. We love this little man to bits. He is magic. How lekker is his Liverpool outfit – a present from Uncle Anon and Auntie Hi. Too cool for school.

“You cannot police your way out of a culture of violence.”

“What the hell is going on in our country? What is going on? How is it that we have got here? How is it that 57 people can be murdered in our country every day? And how is it that that’s not an outrage?“

“I don’t understand that throughout the whole COVID thing, I was like, Wow. So, these guys can lockdown a whole society. They can ban alcohol; they can ban cigarettes. These people can do almost anything, but they can’t stop the gender-based violence and they can’t stop the murder and they can’t stop the crime. I understand these are difficult things to stop. No one is denying that. But where’s the drive to stop it? Where’s the will to stop it? That’s the thing that I don’t understand.“

I have been to Krakow now 3 times and it is a pretty and clean city and it buzzes with people. But I never need to go there again (we will be there next March though on route back to Ukraine). All these old European cities seem and feel the same to me. Don’t get me wrong – if you have never been to Prague or Budapest then they are magnificent places to visit. Like Krakow they are fun for a weekend and they offer a lot of postcard picture opportunities. But when I think of Kyiv, well, this a whole other kind of magic. Kyiv is huge compared to these places and it is unique.

My one friend shared this with me when I was texting him about my last stay in Krakow, “Ronnie, I have the same thoughts! Old town in Europe is totally same. I can’t distinguish Riga and Krakow or Wrocław. Good for weekend but no way for living. Kyiv is unique, Kyiv is alive.”

The brands are everywhere and each square block feels similar. Complete with beer drinking Brits that flew in on Ryanair or EasyJet and are there for a stag party. So many travelers and tourists that local culture seems almost non-existent. And each of these old cities always have a big piazza filled with tables and chairs with restaurants that are always “nice” and busy, but never anything special or authentic. Also, there is always a McDonald’s, Star Bucks, Burger King, etc. on every corner. America is everywhere. Globalization is what we are experiencing here. And there are souvenir shops on every block too that all look identical, and most probably everything is made in China. The horses and carriages and the street vendors always add some charm but once again it all feels quite generic. Yes, for a weekend away it is fun and lovely but it is just not inspiring. That is my view.

Now compare this to cities in Ukraine. You don’t see this kind of globalization. Kyiv and Lviv, for example, are not Americanized. Well, not yet. Yes, there are tourists, but no hoards of Brits on beer drinking romps. Kyiv does have cobble streets, churches, and beautiful old buildings, like In Krakow, but it does not have a generic feel about it. And that is what makes Ukraine so interesting and appealing.

Here are a few pics from Krakow. If you went there you would enjoy it, but I can’t say I experienced anything magical that would draw me back. Perhaps it is because it is a small city. Kyiv, on the other hand, is way way bigger. I like Poland and from my few stays in Krakow I did experience a lot of warmth and gentle people. Poland is good to Ukraine and this is something to embrace. Thank you Krakow. You helped us on our journey.

I am leaving Kyiv this late afternoon on a train to Poland. I should arrive back in SA on Thursday. It has been a busy and productive time here and I saw many friends and took a lot in. Yes, there are air raid sirens, and of course, the country is at war, so it is not entirely safe. But I did not feel any danger in Kyiv and life in the nation’s magical capital goes on. What I did experience was positivity. There is optimism, passion and unity. Ukraine will win this war. They know what they are fighting for. And they have a lotta soul.

When the war started we were here. And the world news was hinting that Kyiv would fall in 3 days. This did not happen. And I will tell you what else did not happen. Mad Max. There is no anarchy here. No looting, no riots, no bandits running around. Quite the opposite. As my friend Shadi said to me, “You have do admire this nation. They are kind and they are helping each other. And that is not about government. That is about society.” Yes, Ukraine struggles with bad stereotyping, and yes, Ukraine suffers from corruption. But things were getting better and they were on a good path. I believe this path is still there.

This war may go on for a while still, but it is only making Ukrainians more determined to leave their old ways behind and embrace a new world. A world where freedom is fundamental, and where you can write your own story. Ukrainian entrepreneurship is alive and well – they do things their way and they need to polish many things. But they are risk takers for sure and they are innovative and creative. To spend time here is to understand. If you have never visited Kyiv, for example, you will never know about the magic here.

This has been quite a week. Back in SA, on Thursday evening, was the SABC launch of “57”, the documentary we made about violent crime in SA. The film turned out excellent and the event was successful. And also this week, we started full time on the next adventure, the Ukraine film project. We started this journey in 2018 and then things got put on hold because of the pandemic. The ball is rolling again and this is now my focus until we are complete. I estimate it will take us one year.

Earlier this week I was taken to the outskirts of Kyiv by Anton and Max to see some of the devastation that took place way back when the war began. It has all been cleaned up so you don’t see rubble and burned out cars, etc. We did see some destroyed tanks on the side of the road, but if I had not known there was a war on the go, I would have thought this was all a result of a big fire. Also, there were people going on about their daily lives and things felt calm and busy.

Kyiv, like the rest of Ukraine, is a kind place. People care about each other and everyone is doing what they can to make sure Ukraine wins this war and moves forward in the world, as a contributing member. They make a lot of important things in Ukraine, like food. And then there is the tech scene, which is breaking ground all the time. I believe Ukraine is in for some very hard times. After the war there are going to be a lot of people with no homes to go to, and unemployment is going to be a big concern. But they will help each other and before you know it, they will be back on the path, and in a few years from now Ukraine will boom. There is much to be excited about. Yes, again, the war is still going on, and there is a lot of pain, and destruction. But the war will end, and good will triumph over evil, and Ukraine will find its place in the world.

Eating out in Kyiv is always a treat. The food is simply delicious and often, like the design and architecture, so fresh and inspired. I have had many guests here from other countries over the years and they are always amazed at the restaurants in Kyiv. And also, in Lviv. It is simply WOW.

One of my favourite spots in Kyiv is called Spicy No Spicy. The décor is so cool and the menu is right up my alley. I love Thai food and this is some of the best I have ever eaten. Of course, with the war situation business is not like it used to be and this makes me sad. They try so hard and deserve to be full all the time. My guess is that they are running at about 30% from their highs. Not a disaster, and getting better with each passing week, but not good. Kyiv needs more people to make these businesses sustainable.

Eating out here is often a quirky and entertaining experience. I felt like desert and I noticed Snikers ice cream on the menu. This had to be a typo. I asked the waitress about the Snikers. She told me the Snickers ice cream is really good. And I said “But it says Snikers.” She realized the typo and giggled a bit. I then asked if it was the same as the Snickers ice cream you can get at the Silpo supermarket or was it made here in the restaurant. I was just joshing around as I knew it had to be made in the restaurant. She looks at me and goes “No, at Silpo you can get Snickers ice cream. Here we have Snikers. It is our own secret ice cream.” We all laughed, and it was seriously yummy. I love Snikers. Sharp waitress – this is something I tell people all the time. Ukrainians are very quick off the mark and their sense of humour is up there with the best of the best.

This is the Coconut Dessert (below). It is off the charts good. Never had anything like it before, anywhere. And it looks so pretty. I leave this Sunday. Heading back to SA. I will miss magical Kyiv. I am confident we will be back here at the end of March. Spicy No Spicy will be one of the first places we eat at when we get back. Bunster is going to love it too.

Ever since I was a teenager I believed that I had a magical destiny. I have always lived life from the heart and I have never chased money. Not that pursing cash is a bad thing, it is just not me. I have had a lot of luck in life and I thank God for that. I have also had a lot of pain and this current nightmare war in particular is very hard to come to terms with. And it is easy to start having doubts and to lose your way when there is so much uncertainty.

Over 20 years ago, on our first indie film project called “Purpose” I was out of my depth and pretty naive. I probably still am. I got into a difficult situation in America and was traumatized and wobbly. I lost about 16 kilos over that period and was quite afraid of the world for a time. But somehow I found my confidence again, and my strength, and about a year later I was fired up again.

I remember a very wise and kind Rabbi in Los Angeles who could feel the pain I was in, and he could see my innocence that had been affected. He gave me a lot of strength when he said to me, “God challenges those with great destinies.” Yes, we learn nothing when things are easy. I have thought about these words often – every time there is struggle. Our documentary film project “57” which was delivered this week was a very hard journey. The film turned out excellent, and we are all happy about that, but it was a seriously intense effort and we are all exhausted. I never understand why some experiences have to be so painful but I believe it is preparing us for something important, something purposeful.

I have always been driven by a sense of purpose. I sometimes think it is a blessing as well as a curse. It is much easier, for example, to simply focus on making money. Making a difference can come later, when you have money. This is what a lot of cynics will tell you. Perhaps they are right. Purpose, to me, is like magic. When you feel a calling drive you it can be a magical experience.

I love the word magic but this year I almost stopped believing in, well, anything. This war turned our lives upside down and for a time there I was even wondering if there really is a God.

I have a big collection of pranks and magic tricks in the Nest in Kyiv. When we left on the second day of the war we were in such a state of shock that I didn’t think to grab some of my favourite stuff. That was 6 months ago and now I am back in Kyiv for a couple of weeks. And there I was, just the other day, wondering when I will be able to see the magic collection again. Some days I think it is all so unnecessary, all this stuff. A friend of mine Greg offered me some solace recently when he said to me “The magic is inside you.” Thank you Greg. I sometimes forget this, and I am often very hard on myself. I know I have made many mistakes again in these past 6 months. The war trauma is always my excuse but I know that I need to work on myself. There is much I need to change.

A wise mentor friend once said that tough times doesn’t build character, it reveals character. In this department I feel secure. I may by misfiring a bit and talking too much, from all the nervous energy, but I have always acted with integrity and compassion.

The one thing that I am happy with is my role as a dad. The Bunster is loved and nurtured. I don’t how we do it each day – he has no clue that we are struggling. I want to believe too that this little dude has a special destiny. One day all of this pain will make sense.