Get a phone

I survived less than a week in the new Ukraine and I got a cellphone (мобілька). Thankfully, Valera set me up with a flip-phone and a pay-as-you-go program on Life. He programmed in key numbers (e.g. his number, my mom's number, my dads' number). He set it to the loudest right and vibrate combo I'd ever heard.

I learned that cell-to-cell calls are free. Texting is unlimited. I picked my language to be English for commands and Ukrainian for texting. (Arabic and Japanese were also options.) To add money, all he had to do was go to an ATM-like machine and feed it bills. I'd get a text notifying me that my account was 'topped up' (as the Brits used to say in London).

Having a cell phone in Ukraine immediately made the entire visit totally new. Everyone else having a cell phone fundamentally changed the dynamic of interaction. Twenty years ago, I'd walk down Khreshatyk Street and wait in cafe to meet up with a friend. Frequently, you'd quote the Russian film and say 'Место встечи изменить нельзя.' (sic -- I don't have a Russian keyboard). I'd wait for an hour or so. Meanwhile, someone unexpected would walk in, carrying a shoulderbag with rolled up newspapers. Maybe I'd head off with him. Maybe we'd both wait around.

Now, when you get stuck in the (brand-new and inevitable) traffic jam, you send a text or make a call.

When you need to get from point A to point B, you call a cab service. They text you back with the make, model and lisence plate number of the car that will pick you up.

Revolutionary.
Loss of serendipity, but gain in productivity.