any kiev or ukrainian citizens here????

[veramiller]

I have been having a hard situation with reconnecting with cousins in Kiev. The cousin by marriage (who lost her husband two years ago) was so excited to hear from my family in early June 2. We received a few e-mails through a Russian friend who served as translator.

We have not heard from her since June. Do people in Kiev take summer-long vacations?

My Russian friend has called her house numerous times and there is no answer or an answering machine. She hasn't responded to e-mails or a package of photos I sent.

When someone calls from Moscow to Kiev, is there international charges for the person in Kiev? Is there a way to find out out whether this woman died? It is so odd she stopped communicating with us. Any advice would be appreciated.

[veramiller]

When do people generally return from these trips?

[Serhii]

It is odd indeed. Consider how old she is / where works , etc. If she is a cook she could leave for Crimea ( or any other rest places ) for all summer. Many women like to go to the sea side with their grand children , etc.

Traditionally in Ukraine we do not use answering machine , so you have to call more especially in the evening.

You know her postal address ( = her location in Kiev). You have to ask someone to go there and ask neighbors. Perhaps she changed her flat or sold it.

I live far from Kiev and am not going to go there soon. Maybe in October.

But in general something is wrong in the situation. You have to try again and again.

[veramiller]

Thanks everyone. I finally reached her again. Her dacha burned down.