Good morning all,

Sorry no pics as yet. I have my first show in a few hours. I'm hoping I can get the occasional internet connection while here. My first night is in the capital of Belarus and the hotel has internet. You don't miss it until you haven't got it!!!

Yesterday was eventful, the immigration etc at Belarus airport is not the best around

At customs yesterday when I came into Belarus, I was told to open my magic box, which was full with balloons, (a huge box of balloons had also gone ahead of me) magic and all sorts. They were quite strict at first, but when I explained I was a magician, the mood changed a little, then I showed them a simple sponge ball trick and had them all laughing. Left the customs with 'them' shaking 'my' hand.

For breakfast this morning I had liver, cold fried eggs with fish salad, and prune juice. Always unusual compared with what we're used to.

I'm off now to catch a bus to my first stop, which will be for three days. I have five shows booked here, I WILL TRY and get some photos for you guys as soon as I can, I'm looking forward to showing you where all your donated balloons are going.

Cheers for now,

Graeme (Billy Wiz Magician)

He is our Hero. (I hope the breakfast stays down on that bus journey).

Here is hoping you have a pleasant stay and bring many smiles to all the children.

Glad you are doing good.... can't wait to see the photos from your trip.

Hi guys,

Found an internet cafe, but the connection is very slow. It's taken about 2 to 3 mins to load each photo so will upload more when I find a better connection.

The photos are from orphanages. The disabled children just made my heart melt. When they smile, you can't help but have the biggest smile yourself. So far I've done about 15 shows, in three different villages/towns. Just loving these kids. I hear the same story at each show that the kids have never seen a magician before, so this is a massive treat for them.

I did two shows today, the second one had over 300 kids in a small theatre, a cracking show.

I'm traveling over night tomorrow night from Bearus to Ukraine by train. Approx 12 hours, should be interesting. Also looking forward to perfroming shows there for the first time.

I promise to have more photos as soon as possible. I want to read more posts on Balloon Chat, but it's just taking far too long so will have to wait until I get home.

Best wishes to all

The second picture is wonderful, good luck with everything.

fantastic

Yeah ! Extra !

great job
I m working 21 year with theme
Im a heartless men but you will understand now

u makes me cry i wish i could do something like this but no one just think that Egypt has people too.. i do balloon for local orphans only any one would come???

Hi all, sorry no pics this time. We've found a wifi connection in Kiev, but I only have my phone and all the pics are on my laptop.

So far I've done 25 shows, I'm absolutly knackered but loving it at the same time. The hardest day was Monday, I performed two shows in two different hospitals and then spent a few hours in each walking around the wards for those kids that were not able to leave thier beds.

Very emotional, it hit me hard when I got back to my accomodation and the reality started sinking in.  

Yesterday we drove for about three hours away from Kiev, would have taken half the time if it wasn't for the traffic here, it's crazy. We went to a newly built community centre in a village where three orphanges were all waiting for the show, that one was brilliant. About a 150 kids from about 4 years to about 10.  You would want to take every single child home with you if you could.  The hardest part was when a little boy about 4 years old, asked he could live with me, I had the biggest lump in my throat.

From there we went back to Kiev to another hospital for a show and then walk about balloon modelling. Two long days but two cracking days with loads of smiles and laughter.

Today was a treat for myself. I booked a special excursion to Chernobyl. About a 100 yards from the reactor itselff.  Then to a town called Pryprat, the 'dead town'.  Pryprat was evacuated a few days after the dissaster.  It's now a ghost town, everything overgrown. A very strange and wierd feeling being there.  Got lots of video and photos, will put together a short clip and upload to the net when I get home.

I've got one more hospital to visit tomorrow before travelling over night back to the Gomel region of Belarus for my next stage of the tour.

Hope to get some more photos uploaded soon, if not, I'll have loads ready for when I get  back.

Regards
Graeme (billy wiz)

           

All is going really well. 33 shows so far with still 10 days to go. For me it's been a rollercoaster of mixed emotions, but more importantly, loads of great smiles along the way.

Here are some pics . . . .

and more . . .

and a few more from a couple of orphanages . . . .