Monday, September 15, 2008

Just a quickie...

Things have been progressing, as holidays are apt to do, and this morning I am at Kiev airport awaiting my flight to Paris. This is our last stop before returning home at the end of the week. After all the other locations, Paris will be easy. For a start, we can read the writing... secondly, I can speak some very basic French. Certainly enough to know when we are being ripped off!

Two days ago we had what was surely the major highlight of the trip - we went on a day trip to Chernobyl. It was totally amazing! As we drove out we were shown a dosemeter to observe the slowly increasing background radiation levels. Of course, this meant little to most people except me, as the only physicist in attendance. But it was so surreal. The empty town with the images of the abandoned ferris wheel and sports centre. We were able to go into a former hotel and it was amazing to look over the town - which had a perfect view of Reactor 4 which blew - and this town that was once bustling with 50 000 people, and is now desolate. The drive out there, the group of us was laughing and joking. On the drive back to Kiev, we were quiet and contemplative. A truly amazing experience.

3 comments:

kiki said...

you should now read "wolves eat dogs" by martin cruz smith

trust me.

Unknown said...

update your damn blog, you've back in country long enough to shag yourself silly with subtle now come back up for air and post a blog,dammit

Mr Subtle said...

There has been no "silly" as yet. Although I believe we are still attempting that. I do suspect we may have hit "stupid" just slightly this morning.

mmm ... perhaps too much information for a monday morning? ;)