VOLCANO!!!

No, really, a volcano erupted in Iceland -- again. 

Like the one last year, it is close to the airport and thus really convenient to the majority of the population who just happen to live in the capital AND .... to tourists. It is only 10 miles from the airport. Dancing liquid fire. It is a five-hour hike round trip. Three tourists just got hurt, one of them with a twisted ankle. They didn't say what hurt the other two. Hiking to it involves crossing lava that is still fragile and hot beneath the surface. There could be sudden gas pollution near the eruption site.


Seven weeks should be perfect. 


I'm getting a little bit bored with the omelettes and the burritos. I'm thinking maybe I should do what Jaybay suggested and tried enchiladas. I got some spinach enchiladas tonight - not very exciting. I'll try something this weekend. 


If you could choose between working for two weeks in Kenya or two weeks in South Africa, which would you choose? I have been to South Africa and I will be there again, presumably, in October. I think that means Kenya. 


I'm so happy my new boss is here. 


"A group of Russian soldiers have accused their commanders of jailing them in eastern Ukraine for refusing to take part in the war" - the Guardian


I said that the Russians claimed they'd destroyed another two HIMARS and the Finnish minister said it was probably wishful thinking. The US has confirmed that, as with when Russia said it had destroyed four, it was lying. 


More than 28,000 people signed a petition urging Zelensky to legalize same-sex marriage. The war injected additional urgency, with concerns that the partner of a deceased or wounded soldier would not have visitation rights or benefits. BUT it would require a change to the constitution. Apparently the constitution says the constitution cannot be changed during wartime. Zelensky has proposed Civil Unions. He also thanked people who signed the petition. 



I also learned today that the unicorn emblem started after the Russians took Crimea. Apparently many people in society said that there were no gay soldiers, so gay soldiers adopted the emblem of the unicorn - something fabulous that also didn't exist. 


There is a volunteer group in Kyiv called Repair Together. It is comprised of young party animals who used to party but now ... have you cleaned while cranking the music really high? And noticed that it was much more fun? They are cleaning buildings while a DJ plays really loud music. They dance and clean at the same time. Villagers are starting to look forward to their coming and bring food and feel some joy.