One Language

A wise taxi driver in Lagos Nigeria once told our family why he thought America was so great.

He posed his wisdom as a question, of course, as the wise often do ... giving the learner pause to reflect.

"Do you know what makes your country so great?" he asked.  In comparison to Nigeria and the corruption and turmoil he was familiar with there were many things that crossed our minds as possible answers. 


"You have ONE language, and ONE currency" was the sage reply.  Decades have passed since that conversation, but his wisdom has persisted as a guiding light for our support of a strong single national language and currency ... not because we don't see the value in learning other languages, but because in countries with no central (or multiple national) languages fractionalization and isolation occur ... weakening the overall unity and stability of the government. After all, that was Lenin (and his successors) big push - one language for all of Mother-Russia.


And so the debate continues ... is Ukrainian the national language, or does Russian have as much a claim on the governed?

Out here in the west, a sign shows which way the people support - "One Ukraine, One Language."  This banner hangs outside the main government building in Lviv, the capital of Western Ukraine, and is a constant reminder of the deep running Ukrainian pride and nationalism felt in the west.

Euro 2012

The Euro Cup (biggest soccer tournament of the year, besides the World Cup) comes to Ukraine in about a month.

 To say everyone is excited it an understatement ... hotels are rapidly renovating to higher European standards, old mashruka vans have been replaced with new sleek buses, and Lviv's infrastructural has had a face-lift. Here are some practical benefits from Lviv being one of the three host cities.

1. Lviv hosts the game between the German and Dutch national soccer teams. A couple of days ago Bubbles received a phone call from a gentleman with a very thick Australian accent. Turns out he washed his clothes with us while in Lviv scouting out accommodations and such for both the German and Dutch teams. He said he's washed his clothes all over the world and he has never had them come out as clean and fresh as they did when he washed at Bubbles! So, he sent us the contract to do all the wash for both the German and Dutch teams (150 person entourage per team) while they are in Lviv for the tournament. Pretty cool. So now we're excited about the Euro Cup too. In fact, we looked into tickets, but at 5,000 EUROS a pop, I think we'll just enjoy the games from a distance while washing uniforms.


2. A new airport. Thought the president came and officially opened the new airport ... it's actually not yet in service. BUT many new flights have opened up making travel to and from Lviv much more accessible. Previously if you wanted to get to Lviv by plane you had three options - Kyiv, Munich, and Vienna. Now Ryan Air flies several times a week to Germany and Venice, and our next trip is to Istanbul direct to Lviv on Turkish Air. We think it will be great both for people to visit Lviv and learn more about this fascinating place, as well as for locals to be able to see more of the world beyond Ukraine.

Labyrinth (4 of 4)

Here's the fourth showing of Bubbles on the western Ukraine hit show "Labyrinth."
Check it out and see for yourself how easy it is to use a coin operated Dexter machine.

Labyrinth (3 of 4)

Check out Bubbles third appearance on the show "Labyrinth."

The host gives a rousing endorsement of how warm and soft towels coming out of a Bubbles dryer feel - we agree.

Labyrinth (2 of 4)

My favorite part of this "Labyrinth" episode is when the camera is in the washing machine. From a production aspect, I think it's an inventive angle and a new view of Bubbles - from inside the dryers.

Labyrinth (1 of 4)

"Labyrinth," a popular Ukrainian TV show, similar to "Amazing Race" in the US, used Bubbles as a destination!
For the next four weeks (four episodes) of "Labyrinth," local Ukrainians on the show come to Bubbles, complete a task, and then receive a gift (free wash card) before obtaining their next clue as to where to go. Even if you don't speak Ukrainian, it's fun to watch, and we're told the host is the Ukrainian Ryan Seacrest equivalent.

Radio

EuroSport 'the' fitness center in town, now has this banner hanging inside:

Basically, the banner says something to the effect of 'spend more time doing what you want' (exercising, since it's in a fitness club) 'and let us clean your clothes.'

Here's the current radio add:

The goal: have a "Bubbles" jingle stuck in everyone's head by March.