Kyiv is one of the world’s best kept secrets. Everyone who comes there is amazed. And they can’t wait to come back. It is a beautiful city, made for walking and exploring. You could stroll around for two weeks, summer or winter, and still not see and experience everything. Yeah, it is not a small city.

Ukraine has many challenges is not a perfect place (it is currently a war zone), but it has charm and soul, and that makes up for any flaws. Ukraine suffers from corruption and parasite oligarchs, but they are working on this, and things are getting better, year on year. And yes, the roads need to be improved, and medical care needs to develop further, but it was all in motion, and there was a big light in the tunnel. Ukraine is hard working and it is innovative and inspired. Most people in Ukraine have difficult lives, and the average salary is around $500 a month. These are humble and modest people and they are kind and warm. And they have the best sense of humour you could ever experience. People joke a lot in Ukraine. In Kyiv life was always filled with smiles and laughter.

There are many booming industries in Ukraine. Real estate in Kyiv was going gangbusters, and the IT sector is a phenomenon. Ukraine is the tech hub of Europe. Agriculture is the country’s largest industry – Ukraine is one of the biggest food producers in the world, and is often referred to as the breadbasket of Europe. Creativity and design are an inspired affair in Ukraine’s capital. International movie shoots had become common, and news of movie stars spotted in Kyiv was frequent. Top musicians perform in Kyiv constantly, and in my view, Kyiv was called “The next Berlin” for a very good reason. Within the next 5 years it was going to become a global hot spot. If Ukraine is destroyed we all lose here. The world is always looking for something new and fresh. Kyiv had it all to give. If it is taken away from us, the world loses out big time.

I could write a small book on eating out and coffee culture in Kyiv. When you come visit one day you will all be in for a stunning surprise. I have eaten at some of the coolest places around the world and Kyiv kicks ass. Yes, the silly stereotypes are strong and so many people often would ask me “Do you eat a lot of bread and soup in Ukraine?” We did in winter, and it is on the next level. You could do a culinary tour of Kyiv and you would be licking your lips at every encounter. Italian, Indian, Georgian, French, Isareli, Thai, Chinese … you name it, Kyiv has it, and it is all off the charts good. You would be seriously blown away. And the gourmet burgers … oh man !

A month ago we were still in Ukraine, heading towards Krakow. Our apartment in Kyiv , which we call The Nest, is a magical place. It feels like we have not been there for a long long time. These past few weeks have been intense, to say the least. From The Nest it was an 18 minute walk to the city center. In winter, when it snowed, it was about a 30 minute walk to a practice ski slope. You name the season, there is always so much to do in Kyiv. And it is photographer’s dream come true. I hope we get back there soon. I believe we will. I am feeling optimistic.

Here are a few pics of some parts of The Nest … I miss the magical views. Sunsets are spectacular.

With all the Western/American business shutting down in Russia, like McDonald’s, the thing I keep wondering: What are all the now unemployed people thinking? Surely they must be asking why are these companies all shutting down their operations. McDonald’s was a big, money making business in Russia, so why the shutdown.

I believe that the majority of Russians are brainwashed by their state controlled media. They believe Putin knows what he is doing, blah blah blah. But when hard-working people lose their jobs, en masse, all of a sudden, it must get people questioning things.

This is another effect of the sanctions. I hope it wakes all these zombies up. It is pretty clear to everyone by now that Russia = lies. This entire war is one big lie, and that out-of-date and out-of-touch nation is all one big lie. Russia truly is the evil empire. Who will ever trust Russia again?

All the people in Russia that are losing their jobs must be weary. If suddenly hundreds of companies down tools all at once, it must tell you something is not right.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/26/russia-retailers-putin-sanctions-ukraine

It was 4 weeks ago that our building was shaking and air raid sirens were making a racquet. Feels like a lot longer than 4 weeks.

I believe Ukraine will win this war. At what cost though is everyone’s terrifying guess.

But if God forbid Putin wins the war then they will not stop at Ukraine and WW III will be inevitable. Putin can see the West’s weakness and is taking full advantage. And yes, the nuclear threat is no joke. If Russia wins this war then just nuke us now because I don’t want to live in a world like this – if Russia wins this war then humanity is in the toilet and then what is the point any more.

For those who know me, I like to make laugh, and tell stories, and I like to listen to stories and I like to laugh too. I have lived in many parts of the world and I laughed the most in Kyiv.

Here is a story that will make you laugh – I have a ton of stories and anecdotes like this.

So, about 4 years ago I get hosted at a meeting of some successful IT entrepreneurs in Kyiv. They are showing me around their super cool offices, and they are laughing for some reason. I get it all the time
Ronnie, you don’t look African?
I say, I know, but I was born in Cape Town, in South Africa. I am from Africa.
They say, But you are not black.
I say, I know … something happened. And everyone laughs for some reason.
So this IT guy says to me: Here in Ukraine there is no political correctness – you can say anything you like.
He then asks me: is the business climate in SA like Ukraine or America.
I tell him it is like America. You can’t joke about race, religion, sex , etc.
There are two lovely computer programmers sitting in a coffee area. He calls them over; everyone generally speaks English in the IT space there.
He asks the one girl: Do we have sexual harassment in offices here in Kyiv?
Her answer: NOT ENOUGH.

We all pack up laughing – it was good for the soul. In America this would have become a lawsuit within 15 minutes.

There is one potential end to this nightmare war and that is when Russia simply implodes because of financial strain. Russia has an economy the size of Italy – they cannot afford to keep this up for too long.

Ukrainians believe they will win this war. I believe it too. The Ukrainians will fight to the death – this they have made clear and the world can see it. The painful cost of this is hard to comprehend, but they are not going to give up.

At some point, some sad and terrible point, like if Putin threatens to drop a small nuclear bomb, the West will step in. I believe that – they will grow some balls at some point.

If no one challenges Putin then this sets a very very very dangerous precedent in the world. The next madman with nukes, in say 5 to 10 years, will do the same thing: hold the world to ransom by threatening with nuclear weapons. No doubt about it. This is setting the stage for future leaders in Pakistan, India, North Korea and any nuclear power out of the Western orbit. This is seriously dangerous stuff.

Europe is dependent  on Russia  for gas, oil and wheat. Especially Germany, a key player in the EU. Putin’s daily income of hundreds of millions of dollars a day needs to stop. If this happens then Russia cannot keep on financing this mad war.

Greed has caused this mess. On all sides. And Ukraine is fighting for the whole democratic world. Please God they get more help They need it. Now.

I became a dad late in life. There are pros and cons with this. I am in pretty good health and am not over-weight or lazy. But yes, I got backache and some joint pains. But I also have perspective. I know that if I was in my thirties, say, and became a dad then, work was my primary focus. I am now older and if someone calls me up and says they have an opportunity and that we can all make a lot of money, then so what. The Bunster is my biggest opportunity. To love, to nurture, to teach, to inspire. This is where I enjoy spending my time now. It is important (to me) and challenging and it is good for the soul.

When The Bunster came onto the scene something inside of me switched on. Something I never knew about. Where did this love for this little man suddenly come from? I love this feeling. And I am learning a lot about myself on the journey. It also got me thinking. Does everyone have this love inside of them, just waiting to come out? I think yes, but I also think that not everyone has the capacity to embrace it.

Imagine you have a child and at the same time you lose your job, or you are struggling with some kind of addiction, or a tragedy, or perhaps you are a single parent. Or war breaks out. One’s situation is a fundamental parameter. I am very fortunate that I can give the Bunster my full attention. And yes, I do have stresses on the work front, and there has been the pandemic and a dozen other things to worry about, including the current nightmare situation with Russia, but all in all, I thank God that we are in this fortunate position, that we can give the Bunster the time he needs, and with our full attention.

I know that being a parent is something much of the world experiences, and yes, I am just another parent statistic. But to me it feels special. And for this, I am very grateful. I think I am really fortunate that I can embrace the journey and enjoy the Bunster as much as I can. I think also that being a parent makes you less selfish, and for this I am also thankful. Yes, I am learning a lot about myself, and also, I am thanking God a lot. To be able to embrace this love is a magical feeling. And with that, I am going to give the Bunster a big hug now … when he looks at me and gives me a hug and goes “dada” it all just feels like magic.

I started writing this text a month ago. I was constantly thinking about this new love that I have been experiencing and wondering if everyone else gets to feel this too. If they did, I don’t believe there would be any more wars.

Three weeks ago today we were still in Kyiv. I see it is almost 10 am now, and it was around this time that we left our apartment and hit the road on the most terrifying journey that lasted around 5 days. We will never forget it. I finally finished this blog piece, and added in this last paragraph here. I pray that this nightmare ends soon. I pray that the Bunster never gets to experience this kind of horror. I pray that peace returns soon.

It was 3 weeks ago this time that we were running around looking for a bomb shelter. Air raid sirens were going off, our apartment building in Kyiv was vibrating, and bomb blasts could be heard in the distance. Our lives had changed. And the whole world has changed with it. Not for the better, I am sad to say.

America has lost its way. First there was that maniac Trump and now there is this weak Biden. America should have stood up for Ukraine right away. The Budapest agreement should have been more than enough. And yet Ukraine has to constantly beg for help.

No matter how long it takes Russia cannot win. Even if Russia takes over Kyiv, what will they do there with a puppet government. No one will support them. No one will give them money. What can Russia do with Ukraine?! There is nothing for them to do. They can’t even sort out their own country’s failing economy so how can they now also run Ukraine. There is seriously nothing for them to do in Ukraine. It is all just senseless.

Ukraine needs $565 billion to rebuild after Russia’s war. Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said on March 15 that this preliminary figure would be at the expense of Ukraine’s partners and reparations from Russia. Ukraine’s government has already established a group to assess losses to the economy due to Russian aggression. – UBN

Ukraine is begging the world to help. Humanity is failing. If Putin nukes the world we probably all deserve it. I am sure many of you feel disgusted too.

God help us all.

This nightmare is not going to end soon.

The US is studying every Russian move. They are learning all their current military capabilities, seeing all their weaknesses. I don’t believe the US/West “engineered” this war, but they are certainly now taking full advantage.

Putin is going to fall, and that is good for the world. No one expected Zelensky to rise up and unify Ukraine like this. The US didn’t see this coming, Putin didn’t see this coming. And now there is the opportunity to try and remove Putin and Ukraine is doing the US/West’s dirty work.

NATO is going to have to step in at some point – Ukraine is the first wave. Yes, Ukraine is doing the world’s hard and ugly work. Unless China steps in and helps Russia – then it is WW III. I cannot see China helping Russia. They saw what happened to the Russian economy in a very short space of time. They don’t want this to happen to them.

These are very scary times.

Poland wants to give fighter jets to Ukraine but they can’t give these to them directly or Russia will take this as an attack by Poland. So they can give them to me, and I can give them to Ukraine. This is all crazy under the table game playing. Bottom line: the world is helping Ukraine.

Russia, everyone is disgusted by what you are doing and you have broken every rule in the book, so others are breaking some rules too – yes, Ukraine is getting help … not nearly enough, but they are getting help for sure, and it is on the increase.

Unless this nightmare ends soon WW III is inevitable. Russia invaded Ukraine, the world is helping Ukraine, and those are the facts. It is just a matter of time before Russia says “Hang on, this is now too much help.” Whether it is direct or indirect or under the table or over the table – Ukraine is getting help. This nightmare needs to end, or yes, this war is going to be far more reaching pretty soon.

But hang on, what is this latest news about Russia asking China for help. If this is true, and if China actually helps Russia, then this nightmare will go up a few levels. This could lead us right into WW III.

For those who know me, I am pale-skinned and gentle and warm. And yes, I don’t fit any of the pigeon holes. I have lived life on my own terms. I never set out to hurt or deceive anyone, but for sure I have made many mistakes. I am sorry about all the mistakes I have made.

I enjoy making people laugh and I like to tell stories. I love magic and inspiring people. And I love being inspired. I take pleasure in listening to a good story.

Kyiv in the winter is magical. And is full of smiles and laughter. I prefer it to the summer. I know most people in the world rather have warm weather but I like the winter and I enjoy that time of year in Kyiv (it is not that cold actually). I hope that this coming winter we are back in Kyiv, celebrating life, in this relatively unknown city. A city with an ancient and incredible history that is growing and buzzing. You may not know much about Kyiv, but it is fast becoming a new travel hot spot. I am pretty sure that within the next 5 years you will visit, and you will inspired and amazed. And like everyone who comes there, you will want to come back. Again and again.

Here are some photos of this winter wonderland. These are pics from some photographers I follow online.

If bombs dropped on Poland by mistake or on purpose then the West would need to defend, so the theory goes. So what is the difference if the bombs are falling on Poland or on Ukraine. Lviv is 70 km from the Polish border.

You ever been to Edinburgh? Everyone loves it there. Well, Lviv is more spectacular, and more buzzing. It is one the world’s new hot spots. And it is Poland’s close, friendly neighbour. So if bombs drop on Poland the West needs to defend, all because Poland signed a piece of paper. Ukraine also did sign a piece of paper in 1994 in Budapest that guaranteed their sovereignty. The US was very much a part of this. So much for all these pieces of paper. If you were drowning and I was walking by and could try and save you but I don’t because you were not in the “club” then what does it say about me?

Yes, yes, I know all the arguments about WW III and I am not buying it. Who is fighting currently with Russia. No one. And who said it will be WW III if they close the sky? Who said this will happen? Putin did not say he will attack if you close the sky. Show me where he said this. He said the sanctions from the West are an attack on Russia. So how does closing the sky make any difference. Close the God damn sky above Ukraine and help prevent more loss of life and all this senseless destruction.

“That idiot Putin walked into a trap. Putin is a rat and Ukraine is just the cheese. America caught him proper. The sanctions will mess up Russia totally. And so what if there is minus one million or minus two million Ukrainians. And minus one country. Who cares. The world feels pretty messed up at the moment.”

“Right now the US is just waiting to see how the sanctions are taking effect. What is happening in Ukraine and Europe suits them. They know their dirty work of getting rid of a madman is being done by Ukraine. That’s why Zelensky is a hero.”

But hang on, someone needs to control the 6,000 nuclear warheads. This problem with Russia will always be there. It also shows how irresponsible Putin in behaving right now.

“The West is not so unified, on anything, and it took only the unspeakable madness of invading Ukraine to get to agree on anything. The West could have stopped Russia in 2014,. The insufficient response from the West to the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014 led to the current conflict.”

I am all over the place. In summary, if there was anyone to blame it is all of us. Greed has led the world to this point, and for now Ukraine is paying the price. God help us all.

“The world is feeling more and more evil, and it is hyper-connected, the worst of combinations. We have given the cheapest and most powerful weapon – connectivity – to the worst people in the world.“

“I wrote this essay in November when Russian troops were starting to lay siege to Ukraine. What has happened since then further supports its two main theses. First, that Vladimir Putin and his inner circle have a deliberate plan to destroy the order of rules and values governing world politics. Their goal is not regional or limited. They have a profound hatred of the Western world and want to take advantage of its perceived weakness. Second, the Kremlin has no vision of a new order to come. Its goal is purely destructive. Events in Ukraine over the last few days have fully confirmed these insights.“