Tales from Ukraine
Via a friend-of-a-friend who was recently in Ukraine as an election observer comes a copy of this commercially sponsored immigration card, which includes ads for a variety of moderately racy-looking entertainment venues to check out when you're done at the polls and even a plug for ladiesvisa.com enjoining those who make friends while in the country: "Don't let your special lady get caught up in all the red tape."
Other stories from the trip are equal parts amusing and inspiring. The FOAF reports that when the state-sponsored TV network declared Yanukovych the victor while votes were still being counted, the sign language interpreter on the program began signing: "This is crap, the government is lying, the election has been stolen."
Update: Commenter Wazoo identifies the signer mentioned above as Natalya Dymytruk, a story about whom ran here.
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"Rules of filling in the immigration card in".
It's like http://www.engrish.com for Ukraine! Sweet!
Sweet. O'Brien's on the immigration card. I like this concept. Paying for the government forms by advertising booze.
By the way - reason needs to interview that sign language interpreter.
One of my professors actually printed an article from mosnews.com about the sign language interpreter for my class last semester. The exact quote was, "The results announced by the Central Electoral Commissoin are rigged. Do not believe them. Our president is Yushchenko. I am very disapoointed by the fact that I had to interpret lies. I will not do it any more. I do not know if you will see me again." Then she joined the other striking journalists from the station.
One of my professors actually printed an article from mosnews.com about the sign language interpreter for my class last semester. The exact quote was, "The results announced by the Central Electoral Commission are rigged. Do not believe them. Our president is Yushchenko. I am very disappointed by the fact that I had to interpret lies. I will not do it any more. I do not know if you will see me again." Then she joined the other striking journalists from the station.
The sign language translater was Natalya Dymytruk
(mentioned at the bottom of this page)