the Wizard of Kharkiv

just took the photo above outside the fanzone in Kharkiv at 9 AM. Most of the fans are still sleeping. The calm before the storm?

on the way from my hostel to the fanzone, I met an old lady in the crowded subway. She smiled at me so I took out my Panini Adrenalyn XL trading cards and gave her the one of Shevchenko. She was so happy. She gave me some cherries from her basket. I am glad she did not ask me to trade my Chelsea-Gianfranco Zola shirt!



well there is an old Ukranian proverb: when you are in Ukraine, do what an Ukranian will do.

Here is a story about the Wizard of Kharkiv and how I apply that proverb.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

a few days ago, I was in a sauna of a 5 star hotel and I met a man from Turkey (no pun intended).
He told me he was invited by the owner to come to watch the EURO games in Kharkiv.
I asked if he meant the owner of the hotel. He said yes. and he said the same man owns the local soccer club Metalist and the stadium and the airport...
We chatted about soccer a bit then he asked me about my experiences so far.
I gave him a postive report and then I told him about a little problem I have.

The day after the semifinal in Donetsk, I and 2 other friends (Robert and Maggie) have to get back to Kiev to catch a flight.

Our original plan was to drive the 10 hour journey.

Once I got to Ukraine, I decided that I do not want to drive Formula One style in the dark.

There is a train but it arrives in Kiev too late for my friends to catch their flight.

all airlines tickets were sold for that route on that day.

The Turkish man said to me 'go down to the lobby and speak to the concierge. He can fix all your problems.
He is a Wizard'

I followed the advice and the concierge, no I mean the Wizard, took my details and made a call.
10 minutes later. He said he found 3 seats on a flight from Donetsk to Kiev on the morning after the SF.

then the Wizard said 'cash only'

no problem. I went to the hotel bank to get enough local currencies to buy the 3 seats.

when I handed the money to the Wizard, he took it, counted it, put it in an envelop and said 'the tickets will be here in 3 hours. we have a nice steakhouse in our hotel. please enjoy.'

I asked the Wizard 'May I have a receipt please?'

The Wizard was offended.
then he recovered and smiled and said 'I am a concierge in a 5 star hotel in Ukraine, you can trust me'

I did not know what to do at that moment. then I remembered the old Ukranian proverb. do like an Ukranian would do.

I said 'ok'

3 hours later, just as Spain vs Italia was about to kick off, the Wizard came to me and handed over 3 airlines tickets. as he said he would.

I felt like Harry Potter and my friends Robert and Maggie are Ron and Hermione.
We have been saved by the Wizard of Kharkiv.

if you ever come to Kharkiv, let me know and I will introduce the Wizard to you.