Tag Archives: Ukraine

Meet Natasha

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Natasha and her two dogs, Jimmy and Mark, came to live with me on March 10th. They fled their home in Kharkiv, Ukraine about one week after the Russian invasion began on February 24th. Natasha speaks English fluently and is a freelance, 3-D animator who creates NFT’s. She has been able to do her work from my home as she settles into life here in Prague and begins the long process of finding a place of her own.

Mark recently celebrated his fourth birthday
Jimmy after his bath

Today is Orthodox Easter and so Natasha got up early this morning to dye eggs and make this beautiful Easter feast for us to enjoy.

Rental prices in Prague have greatly increased while the available options of rental properties has decreased in recent months. This was already the trend but the problem has been exacerbated by the influx of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians into the city. So, for the time being, Natasha will continue to be my guest. Thank you to my good friends back in the States who have pledged money to help Natasha get reestablished here. It takes a village and that’s no lie.

Thanks to all of my readers and I will keep you posted on Natasha’s progress and events here.

War In Ukraine

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Dear Readers, it has been too long since my last update. The good news is that I have been extremely busy. The bad news is that there is a war on the European continent. It feels like it’s next door, but Ukraine is 700 miles away from Prague. The mood here is a combination of disbelief, anger, and horror. There have been numerous protests and an amazing rallying of support for the Ukrainian people- beginning with the Czech government issuing rapid visas, work permits, and offering free healthcare, to the Czech citizenry opening their homes, raising millions of dollars, and basically providing every possible resource you can imagine. Over 100,00 refugees have made it into Czechia so far and more are coming.

I too feel compelled to act. Although my flat is small, and I can only offer a sofa for a bed, I will be welcoming a young Ukrainian woman and her two chihuahuas into my home this evening! She is arriving by train after departing from a refugee camp in Lubaczow, Poland at 8:00 this morning. I don’t know much about her other than that her name is Natasha and she does freelance work as a 3D animator. She texts me that she brings only her dogs, a backpack and a bag. I don’t know anything about her family situation, but of course, there will be plenty of time to learn all of that. If she allows it, I will share her journey with you.

Until then- thanks for reading and as always, I love to hear from you.