I’m currently sitting in the Kiev airport, reflecting on the last couple of days. I won’t sugar coat it: I am happy to be leaving Kiev. But I am super glad I came here and spent the time I did. Maidan being especially powerful. But it will be great to get back to my love: Odessa.
First off, Independence Day. This was not what I expected AT ALL. It was pretty crowded, but the parade was 100% military. Tanks and rocket carriers, one after the other. I tried to focus on the people instead of the parade itself. One image struck me in particular: Three little girls filming the parade from their parents’ shoulders. I didn’t take a lot of pictures at the parade, because there were people with cameras everywhere, and I knew people would be able to find better pics on google within a day.
Even though the parade was highly military driven, the after parade festivities were awesome. There was dancing in the street, with traditional music and dress. They roped off an entire block for a motorcycle stunt team to perform, and there were vendors with tables selling all sorts of art. There was also this stage set up where a bunch of teenage kids sat awkwardly while a giant movie of watches played behind them…I have no idea what that was about. But I took a video and will upload it to youtube.
The day after the parade, Tom and I went out to McFoxy’s for filming of Rabbit Ears. McFoxy is a total ripoff of McDonalds. Everything looks like McDonalds. It’s hilarious. An even further hilarity is that it is located directly next door to McDonalds! So on my show Rabbit Ears, we have made “McFoxy’s” our fictitious hang out joint. So now, we actually got to film some scenes there!
I won’t bore you with the minor details of film making, but filming at McFoxy’s was a nightmare from a work perspective. Nothing matched the pictures…I had to think on the fly for a lot of scenes, and by the end of the day I think they wanted to call the police to get us to leave. )) In the end, though, I think the footage will work and be a unique part of the show that we’ll never forget. After filming, Tom left on a train to his next destination….so I am flying solo (literally and figuratively).
So that’s Kiev! I will be flying to Odessa within the hour! I don’t expect my other blogs will be event driven, as much as just reflections and opinions. But I look forward to touching base with you all from Odessa!
Jeff: August 26th, 2016
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