Chernobyl Day

Today, April 26, Ukraine remembered that moment in 1986 when the Chernobyl nuclear power plant experienced a meltdown and spewed radiation over much of north central Ukraine, Byelorussia, and parts of Scandinavia. Many years ago, one summer, I was staying in a northern region of Kyiv and though my Russian was still quite rough at that point, I understood quite clearly when a cab driver told us as we were turning off the main road, "Go down that road a few kilometers and you come to Chernobyl."

There is still concern about the stability of the reactor and the concrete shell covering it. An internationally-funded sarcophagus is being built.

The president and his former prime minister Tymoshenko were shown on national TV together at a memorial service for those who died in the tragedy. It was a bit odd. It was even odder since Kyiv's mayor was also there. He's trying to remain neutral in all this political mess.

Lena's mom, sister, and niece are coming tomorrow for the weekend. Friday begins the May holiday season. I think there are about 6-7 days off and it feels like more. Students are going home or disappearing. The beginning of May has always meant a substantial slow down in life. In my opinion, it's ridiculous to take off so many days. But potatoes must be planted! So off we go to the village.