All Is Quiet In Zhitomir

If you want me to continue to post emails from Alex, give me a 'yes" in the comment sections. About 100 people per day are stopping by, but only 1 or 2 are leaving a comment. 

If your answer is 'no", I'll continue to forward them to my son and my cousin in Wisconsin and post about other stuff. 

I appreciate your answers. 

A couple more emails from Alex who seems to be doing OK. 

FRIDAY: "Dear friends, It was a good morning! No missile attacks and bombing from the air. Nice and quiet. The mayor of the city reported two news stories this morning. First is real good news. Elon Musk donated Starlink satellite devices and they arrived in Zhitomir too. Of course it’s mainly for the military, but it is the right  time. There is a fear that Russians might attack our internet towers. Second news is that Zhitomir Water Supply Company asked residents of the city to have water in store for 5-7 days. According to the mayor the city water supply lines could be next targets. The city water was of bad quality before war and I preferred spring water. There are four springs with real good quality water in the village of Levkiv, 20 km East from Zhitomir. We could not get to our regular springs; we were turned down by the local defense units. So we had to go to an old spring. It took us 5 hours to have 140 liters. Video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oKeZEmaRzmdk5Jis8 In the afternoon I checked how the people from the black market are doing. The official bank rate right now is 29,9 UAH for 1 USD, but in the black market I was offered 33 UAH for 1 USD. My friend from the black market told me that this is just the beginning of the big inflation in Ukraine. I was always surprised that my dad, Franz, was buying vodka and was hiding all around his apartments. When he passed away, my brother took almost 60 bottles of Vodka of different kind. Franz was telling me that Vodka is the most liquid currency. Now, when Vodka and any alcohol is prohibited, I start to understand the meaning of this currency. I’m sure with a bottle of Vodka you can do more than with money. Just think what has more meaning for a Russian/or Ukrainian soldier in the checkpoint after 12 hours in the open air, a gift of 100 USD or a bottle of Vodka. Alex"   SATURDAY: "Dear friends, It is another good day. Nice and quiet. All the barbershops are closed. So if you do not have contacts you will turn into hippie real quick.  I called my friend Tolik, who is a professional barber. He has not been working since the beginning of the war and mainly stayed home.  I asked him if I could get him smth from the Metro. He told me that he is well prepared in terms of food and he was lucky to get some fresh chicken. I did  not expect that it was super fresh chicken: Video:https://photos.app.goo.gl/bRMMprhydJuZqk5w8 It was great to see him. He refused to take money, but gladly accepted apples from my garden. I think we are ready to come back to barter operations in Ukraine.

Alex"   SUNDAY: "Dear friends,  All is good in Zhitomir. I think I saw more people this Sunday than one week ago. I was at two church services and was surprised to see life there! Last Sunday most of Ukrainians were busy with evacuation, but it looks like some are coming back. There is a passage in the Old Testament in Exodus 17. There was a big fight of Israelites against Amalekites. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. I think that people who stay in Ukrainian cities hold the hands of our army. Our presence is very important and encouraging for each other. We can win only when we are united! This is video from Church of Crist meeting  https://photos.app.goo.gl/P8u651g2XvJo8JoA8 This is video of Church Word of Love https://photos.app.goo.gl/srtfHMnEDVrMyNBh7 Alex"

Stay tuned.