In March I moved to Kyiv’s Arsenal’na district, between Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) and the right bank of the river Dnieper. It is one of the city’s most attractive areas, scattered with lush, sweet-smelling chestnut trees and punctuated by dozens of landmarks. … More Love and the Lavra
Over New Year I spent a week in Lviv, in the west of Ukraine near its border with Poland, and a week in Luhansk province, 1200 kilometres to the east, on the border with Russia. At both ends of the 26-hour train journey the snow on the ground was ankle-deep, sometimes falling in blizzards, and the temperature on some days was as low as minus 21 degrees celcius. … More Winter in Ukraine
The new people, places and situations that we encounter during our lives shape the way that we view the world. In late July 2008 I experienced all three at the same time, during an overnight train journey between Hungary and Ukraine in the middle of my vacation from the law firm in Kyiv where I had been working. The journey will stay in my mind for longer than the holiday itself. … More The Night Train
The Chechen family who I shared a train compartment with, on the way from Budapest to Kyiv. … More The Night Train: photos
LIFE IN CENTRAL ASIA 