After I finished the last entry, I showered at 1:45 AM. The alarm woke up Eileen. We started the process of waking up the girls. Sasha the driver appeared at 2:30. We dragged the luggage to the car, and went to the airport.
We were quite early, so we were in the front of a line, one of four. The lines grew longer. Still we waited. Finally, a hole was opened in the barriers separating us from the checkin terminals. A small hole. The four lines vanished into a mob, trying to get through the hole. We still got through fairly early, and were fourth in a line to check in. But then we waited for an hour, while a sports team checked in their gear. They must have had 100 checkin items. We were exhausted, and now we had to stand and do nothing.
After checking in 7 bags, we had to go through passport control. Our agent was a bit grouchy. He asked to see a specific document. I did not remember which one it was, so I handed him a packet in a clear paper holder. He left the booth, and went to examine the papers. More waiting on our part. After 10 minutes, he came back and asked specifically for the document. I dug through my pack, and found a document that had a sticky attached that read, "save for later." Now was later. I gave this to him. He read it, gave a sigh, and asked for a passport from me or Eileen. The were both in my hand, so I gave him both. "One," he said, again sounding exasperated. OK, just one. He read through the two page document, and then stamped the girls passports and let us through. Big sigh of relief.
We walked down a hall, and got in another line. Why are we not moving? The boarding passes had to be checked. And who was at the front? A member of that sport team. These guys were not winning friends or influencing people. The time for the flight to leave passed, and we were glad we had a 6 hour layover in Frankfurt. OK, a little less unhappy about the layover. I did not think we would miss it.
The flight was no problem, except I sat behind one of the sport guys, the ones who stalled us for so long. The row in front of us was the exit aisle. The sport guy was quite large, and I suspected he would want to recline his chair. The seats in this plane were installed like bus seats. My knees were already against the back of the chair in front of me. So I got aggressive. I moved my knees to press hard against the back of the chair in front of me. I am becoming Soviet minded.
In Frankfurt, some reality hit us. We had left over Ukrainian Grivney. Would they exchange it? No. I had to exchange some US bucks for Euros. Ouch. The Euro was twice as good as the dollar. And the food in the airport was expensive. A one-scoop ice cream code for 6 dollars? Even McDonalds was not cheap. We wandered through the terminal, waited in more lines. We had to rescan us and our carry on bags. While waiting, a man cam to the front of the line. "I need to get through, my plane is leaving soon." The line keeper said, "There's nothing I can do." The man said, "Sure there is, you can let me through." "No," she said, "I cannot do that. Those are the rules. Contact someone from Lufthansa for help." What an attitude. I would have let one guy through, to spare him the hassle of missing a flight. We rode a train to take us to another location in the terminal. If felt like someone had designed the terminal, and after it was built, it was found it did not suit the real needs. So blockades and trains were added to make things flow correctly. We waited. I took Nastiya for a long walk down the concourse. On the way back, Sasha ran to meet us. "Come on," she yelled. Everyone was in line, and the line went a long way. What was up? For security reasons, everyone was being rescanned. We crept slowly to the front. We were allowed to use the business class line. "Pretend you are business class," the clerk said. "Adoption, hmmm?" More waiting, and we were allowed back in the waiting area. And more waiting. Everyone waiting for the plane was herded onto buses. We were carried out onto the tarmac. 10 butt-numbing hours later we landed in Denver.
We did not get to ride the underground train at DIA. I think Tanya is the only one who has not seen this. We were sent to the citizens (yay!) line. Waiting. The officer looked over the paper work and took Tanya's finger prints. On to secondary processing. We did our favorite thing: wait. The girls were finally processed. The magic manilla folders were opened. More finger prints for Tanya. The visas were stamped. And we had 3 new American citizens. It sounded like this is still temporary. More paper work and waiting are in store for us.
We let slip the fact that we had some sliced summer sausage in our packs. We weren't going to eat them, they were getting old and had been on the "shake and bake," so they might not be in the best of shape. But now we were an agricultural problem, which meant we got to wait in a line. The meat was removed. Our bags were scanned. And we were finally allowed to get the rest of our bags. And then we stepped out of the transitory world of customs into the airport and the arms of friends who met us with joy. Welcome home!
Us
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Coming Home!
Tuesday night, I had trouble sleeping. Many dreams about getting in line to buy train tickets, only to discover I was in line at a bank. I would run to the train station, get in another line, only to find that this line was for a bus. I would take the bus, and it would not take me to the train station, but somewhere in Donetsk. At this point, I would be without phone or knowledge of where I was.
We got up early. I was in a hurry, so I went over to the train station (not the bank). What could I do? Nothing. I headed back to the hotel, and there was Olga, coming toward the train station. We went in. Did they have more berths today? Nothing yet, but if we put down some money (the whole fare), the ticket seller would watch for more available berths.
There were several things to do, and they would be quick (said Olga), so I went with her in a taxi while Eileen entertained the kids. [Eileen insert here what happened with the girls.] The first place, we both went in. We waited and waited. Olga went in, did her talking, came out with papers. I sat. The next place, Olga said I could wait in the car. So I waited. Another half hour went by. Finally the third place. Again, I should just wait in the car. Much more waiting. And then we had the passports. It was 11:30. We would never have made all the appointments Tuesday afternoon. And I really didn’t need to go to any of these meetings.
Engrish aside: in the glamorous part of downtown, an ad for something expensive, a watch I think. The ad said, “A toutch of elegance.” Very prominent, very funny. Our hotel had the guide book for behavior in the hotel, laundry rates, etc. trying to understand the page on unacceptable behavior, loud noises, paying for damages, was impossible. Like a legal document, except it really made no sense. Well, I guess exactly like a legal document.
Checkout time at the hotel was 12:00, so we dashed back. First, were there enough berths on the train. And finally, some good news. We got a whole coupe and two other berths. We had a ride to Kiev that night, and a place to sleep. The train would leave at 7:40, so what would we do for the next 7 hours? For lunch, we ate at Potato House, which is part of the family that Chelentano’s Pizza is part of, so my discount card would be accepted. We were told that Potato House in Kiev was good, and it certainly was a step up from Chelentano’s. After lunch, Olga had more translation work to do, and faxes to send, so she and Tanya took off. Eileen and I took the girls shopping in the outdoor malls just by the train station. We bought socks and shoes for the airplane. Then we went back to Potato House, and got something hot to drink. Hot cocoa for fifty cents really hits the spot. Sasha and Nastiya were hungry, again, so I started feeding them sunflower seeds. After several hundred, Sasha and I took a walk.
We went through the train station. We watched a train pull out, and felt the ground shake. We helped some old ladies climb up from the track level to the boarding level. We gave some coins to some beggars. Like many places, there were stairs leading to underground tunnels, so you don’t have to cross a street or walk over tracks or some other really good reason. In many of these places, there are a pair of flat tracks, a couple of inches wide, about 18 inches apart, that go down the stairs. I finally saw that these could be for baby buggies. But here, they were made of marble, and they had snow on them, and Sasha was able to slide down these without getting hurt. I watched her do this a dozen times, and then we went back to the restaurant.
Olga and Tanya came back, and we had dinner. It was just easier not to move. I had ribs and a baked potato for dinner. These were excellent ribs. Lots of meat, very little fat. After dinner, Olga helped Eileen fill out documents for the visas, until it was finally time to get our bags. We lugged them into the train station, so we could find out what track to board on. It took another 15 minutes to find out this information. And then, the loud music started. You would think that if you were seeing a loved one off for a long period of time, and they were just about to get on a train that would take them away from you, that you would want to say something meaningful, tender, golden promises. The train station thought otherwise. Someone thought that everyone boarding a train should swell with pride at the great achievements of some political party. So we heard loud, Ukrainian music. Finally, the announcement came for our track. We carried our luggage outside, and waited. The train was slowly pulling in. Where was our wagon? Another hike down the platform, in the snow which had been falling all afternoon. It was cold. We pulled a lot of luggage into our coupe.
This train was not quite as good as the one from Slovyansk. Older, less comfortable. But there was something special about this trip. There were balloons in the wagon. There was free tea in the evening. It must have been an anniversary. We made the beds, got the girls into pajamas, had a snack, and watched outside as best we could, which was very little since it was dark. Tanya and Olga had the two other berths in another wagon. The cars were hot. I had a thermometer: 80 degrees. Shake and bake is an appropriate phrase for the night train. I tried opening a window in the aisle. I even used the curtain to direct cold air into our coupe. The wagon matron discouraged me from continuing this activity. Tanya came over with a bottle of champagne we bought earlier in the day. Sasha and Nastiya had non-alcoholic champagne. Another night of difficult sleep: harsh screeching of brakes, banging as the train stopped or started. Do you open the door to allow some circulation of air? Or do you close the door so all your worldly possessions are safe, including that stupid money belt?
At 7 am, the king of the train decided we should all enjoy more patriotic music. At least the coupes had volume control. What is the deal with loud music in this country? Why must every restaurant, store, public building, and park have loud music and televisions? Do they have these even in the libraries? OK, time to get the blood pressure under control. We put away all our sleeping gear (pads, sheets, pillow cases), and got ready for the day. The sun was shining. We were met by Sasha the driver. We managed to get all of our luggage and all 7 people into his car. Amazing. It was 8:45. What could we get done today?
Our first stop was the embassy. There was a long line of people, waiting to get in. Since we were American citizens, we moved to the front of the line. A short wait, and we were inside. We had to pass through security as tight as any airport. Then we went to the department that handles immigration and adoption. Although there were a number of people waiting, we were helped very quickly. Eileen started doing paper work, and I took the girls to a waiting room with toys, although the toys were more for toddlers. We had just started to play store, when Eileen came in. She had good news and bad news. The bad news: One necessary document needed translation, and the embassy would be closed on Friday. The good news: if we could bring back all the needed paper work by 3 PM, they might be able to complete all the work for the visas that day. Was this possible? We would try.
Off to some medical facility for exams. We got to the building, and found we did not have Tanya’s passport. This was bad. This was really bad. What happened? It was possible that her passport was still at the embassy, since it had been pulled aside for special treatment. After all, Tanya is special. Olga said the medical work could be done, because they should be able to start with just a fax of the passport. Assuming it was still at the embassy. So the girls get X-rayed, and blood drawn, and vaccinations. Olga never said, but I saw a black and white paper with passport information on it, and I assumed that the passport was still at the embassy. Which turned out to be true. The medical work was done, but we could not get Tanya’s medical papers until we had her passport. So Tanya and I and Olga got in the car, and zipped back to the embassy. It turned out that the lady who was doing our visa work was an old friend of Olga’s, so after we got the passport, the two chatted for what felt like a long time. Come on, don’t we have a tight schedule to keep? We got back in the car, but instead of going to the medical facility, we went to Olga’s house, I presume. She wanted to translate the final document. Tanya and I sat in the car, and Tanya slept. I sat. I’m getting good at it. After getting a lot of practice at sitting, Olga had the document done, and we went back to the medical buildings. We went inside, and waited. And waited some more. I got tired of waiting, so I took Sasha and Nastiya outside, to play in the snow. At about 2:50, Olga had the last paper work. We had all the pieces, could we get to the embassy in time?
The traffic was not bad. Sasha is a fast driver. Although we did not make it by 3 PM, it was not too far off. Olga told us that we had to go knock on a window, and let those inside know that we were adopting. There was no window. OK, there was a window, but it was for couriers. We knocked on the heavy metal door. We could see inside that some people were going through the security, so we waited. They let us in. Did we have an appointment? No, but we had the phone number of the woman who was doing our processing, and she told us we could come back. After a phone call, we were allowed in. The long talk Olga had earlier may have helped a lot. It’s good to know people inside. Once again, back to the adoption windows. This time, there was only one man from Ireland, who was adopting 3 boys from the west side of Ukraine. We submitted our papers, and then had to wait. Again, Sasha and Nastiya had troubles sitting, so I took them back to the larger waiting room, and we played store. After a while, we were all called back to the processing room. Eileen and I had to raise our hands, pledge to take care of the girls, we signed some papers, and some more papers, and then we had the visas. We were done with all of the paper work. The girls were ours, and they could come into the country.
Now it was time to go to our place for the night. We had help from our friend Becky. She had an acquaintance who had an apartment in downtown Kiev. We met the landlord there. The apartment was beautiful. But it had one bed. And it had a couch. OK, we needed to make this work, and we did not want to spend time looking for a cheaper hotel, so we took it. We said goodbye to Olga, and we paid Sasha in advance for taking us to the airport. After all, he could fit us all into one car. Then we got on the phone to try to find tickets home. And the big question was, could we do it Friday morning? Eileen was in the middle of the call, when the phone died. No more minutes left. Fortunately, I had another card, and we quickly put time on the phone. She called back, and we had 5 seats for America on Friday morning. That was only 12 hours away. Thanks to everyone for praying. After several delays, and what looked like even more delays, everything came together at the end.
If there are no problems, we should be back in Denver at 3:20 on Friday afternoon. The flight we got is a direct flight from Germany, so we have to go through immigration at DIA. We are coming home!
The five Christoffersons.
We got up early. I was in a hurry, so I went over to the train station (not the bank). What could I do? Nothing. I headed back to the hotel, and there was Olga, coming toward the train station. We went in. Did they have more berths today? Nothing yet, but if we put down some money (the whole fare), the ticket seller would watch for more available berths.
There were several things to do, and they would be quick (said Olga), so I went with her in a taxi while Eileen entertained the kids. [Eileen insert here what happened with the girls.] The first place, we both went in. We waited and waited. Olga went in, did her talking, came out with papers. I sat. The next place, Olga said I could wait in the car. So I waited. Another half hour went by. Finally the third place. Again, I should just wait in the car. Much more waiting. And then we had the passports. It was 11:30. We would never have made all the appointments Tuesday afternoon. And I really didn’t need to go to any of these meetings.
Engrish aside: in the glamorous part of downtown, an ad for something expensive, a watch I think. The ad said, “A toutch of elegance.” Very prominent, very funny. Our hotel had the guide book for behavior in the hotel, laundry rates, etc. trying to understand the page on unacceptable behavior, loud noises, paying for damages, was impossible. Like a legal document, except it really made no sense. Well, I guess exactly like a legal document.
Checkout time at the hotel was 12:00, so we dashed back. First, were there enough berths on the train. And finally, some good news. We got a whole coupe and two other berths. We had a ride to Kiev that night, and a place to sleep. The train would leave at 7:40, so what would we do for the next 7 hours? For lunch, we ate at Potato House, which is part of the family that Chelentano’s Pizza is part of, so my discount card would be accepted. We were told that Potato House in Kiev was good, and it certainly was a step up from Chelentano’s. After lunch, Olga had more translation work to do, and faxes to send, so she and Tanya took off. Eileen and I took the girls shopping in the outdoor malls just by the train station. We bought socks and shoes for the airplane. Then we went back to Potato House, and got something hot to drink. Hot cocoa for fifty cents really hits the spot. Sasha and Nastiya were hungry, again, so I started feeding them sunflower seeds. After several hundred, Sasha and I took a walk.
We went through the train station. We watched a train pull out, and felt the ground shake. We helped some old ladies climb up from the track level to the boarding level. We gave some coins to some beggars. Like many places, there were stairs leading to underground tunnels, so you don’t have to cross a street or walk over tracks or some other really good reason. In many of these places, there are a pair of flat tracks, a couple of inches wide, about 18 inches apart, that go down the stairs. I finally saw that these could be for baby buggies. But here, they were made of marble, and they had snow on them, and Sasha was able to slide down these without getting hurt. I watched her do this a dozen times, and then we went back to the restaurant.
Olga and Tanya came back, and we had dinner. It was just easier not to move. I had ribs and a baked potato for dinner. These were excellent ribs. Lots of meat, very little fat. After dinner, Olga helped Eileen fill out documents for the visas, until it was finally time to get our bags. We lugged them into the train station, so we could find out what track to board on. It took another 15 minutes to find out this information. And then, the loud music started. You would think that if you were seeing a loved one off for a long period of time, and they were just about to get on a train that would take them away from you, that you would want to say something meaningful, tender, golden promises. The train station thought otherwise. Someone thought that everyone boarding a train should swell with pride at the great achievements of some political party. So we heard loud, Ukrainian music. Finally, the announcement came for our track. We carried our luggage outside, and waited. The train was slowly pulling in. Where was our wagon? Another hike down the platform, in the snow which had been falling all afternoon. It was cold. We pulled a lot of luggage into our coupe.
This train was not quite as good as the one from Slovyansk. Older, less comfortable. But there was something special about this trip. There were balloons in the wagon. There was free tea in the evening. It must have been an anniversary. We made the beds, got the girls into pajamas, had a snack, and watched outside as best we could, which was very little since it was dark. Tanya and Olga had the two other berths in another wagon. The cars were hot. I had a thermometer: 80 degrees. Shake and bake is an appropriate phrase for the night train. I tried opening a window in the aisle. I even used the curtain to direct cold air into our coupe. The wagon matron discouraged me from continuing this activity. Tanya came over with a bottle of champagne we bought earlier in the day. Sasha and Nastiya had non-alcoholic champagne. Another night of difficult sleep: harsh screeching of brakes, banging as the train stopped or started. Do you open the door to allow some circulation of air? Or do you close the door so all your worldly possessions are safe, including that stupid money belt?
At 7 am, the king of the train decided we should all enjoy more patriotic music. At least the coupes had volume control. What is the deal with loud music in this country? Why must every restaurant, store, public building, and park have loud music and televisions? Do they have these even in the libraries? OK, time to get the blood pressure under control. We put away all our sleeping gear (pads, sheets, pillow cases), and got ready for the day. The sun was shining. We were met by Sasha the driver. We managed to get all of our luggage and all 7 people into his car. Amazing. It was 8:45. What could we get done today?
Our first stop was the embassy. There was a long line of people, waiting to get in. Since we were American citizens, we moved to the front of the line. A short wait, and we were inside. We had to pass through security as tight as any airport. Then we went to the department that handles immigration and adoption. Although there were a number of people waiting, we were helped very quickly. Eileen started doing paper work, and I took the girls to a waiting room with toys, although the toys were more for toddlers. We had just started to play store, when Eileen came in. She had good news and bad news. The bad news: One necessary document needed translation, and the embassy would be closed on Friday. The good news: if we could bring back all the needed paper work by 3 PM, they might be able to complete all the work for the visas that day. Was this possible? We would try.
Off to some medical facility for exams. We got to the building, and found we did not have Tanya’s passport. This was bad. This was really bad. What happened? It was possible that her passport was still at the embassy, since it had been pulled aside for special treatment. After all, Tanya is special. Olga said the medical work could be done, because they should be able to start with just a fax of the passport. Assuming it was still at the embassy. So the girls get X-rayed, and blood drawn, and vaccinations. Olga never said, but I saw a black and white paper with passport information on it, and I assumed that the passport was still at the embassy. Which turned out to be true. The medical work was done, but we could not get Tanya’s medical papers until we had her passport. So Tanya and I and Olga got in the car, and zipped back to the embassy. It turned out that the lady who was doing our visa work was an old friend of Olga’s, so after we got the passport, the two chatted for what felt like a long time. Come on, don’t we have a tight schedule to keep? We got back in the car, but instead of going to the medical facility, we went to Olga’s house, I presume. She wanted to translate the final document. Tanya and I sat in the car, and Tanya slept. I sat. I’m getting good at it. After getting a lot of practice at sitting, Olga had the document done, and we went back to the medical buildings. We went inside, and waited. And waited some more. I got tired of waiting, so I took Sasha and Nastiya outside, to play in the snow. At about 2:50, Olga had the last paper work. We had all the pieces, could we get to the embassy in time?
The traffic was not bad. Sasha is a fast driver. Although we did not make it by 3 PM, it was not too far off. Olga told us that we had to go knock on a window, and let those inside know that we were adopting. There was no window. OK, there was a window, but it was for couriers. We knocked on the heavy metal door. We could see inside that some people were going through the security, so we waited. They let us in. Did we have an appointment? No, but we had the phone number of the woman who was doing our processing, and she told us we could come back. After a phone call, we were allowed in. The long talk Olga had earlier may have helped a lot. It’s good to know people inside. Once again, back to the adoption windows. This time, there was only one man from Ireland, who was adopting 3 boys from the west side of Ukraine. We submitted our papers, and then had to wait. Again, Sasha and Nastiya had troubles sitting, so I took them back to the larger waiting room, and we played store. After a while, we were all called back to the processing room. Eileen and I had to raise our hands, pledge to take care of the girls, we signed some papers, and some more papers, and then we had the visas. We were done with all of the paper work. The girls were ours, and they could come into the country.
Now it was time to go to our place for the night. We had help from our friend Becky. She had an acquaintance who had an apartment in downtown Kiev. We met the landlord there. The apartment was beautiful. But it had one bed. And it had a couch. OK, we needed to make this work, and we did not want to spend time looking for a cheaper hotel, so we took it. We said goodbye to Olga, and we paid Sasha in advance for taking us to the airport. After all, he could fit us all into one car. Then we got on the phone to try to find tickets home. And the big question was, could we do it Friday morning? Eileen was in the middle of the call, when the phone died. No more minutes left. Fortunately, I had another card, and we quickly put time on the phone. She called back, and we had 5 seats for America on Friday morning. That was only 12 hours away. Thanks to everyone for praying. After several delays, and what looked like even more delays, everything came together at the end.
If there are no problems, we should be back in Denver at 3:20 on Friday afternoon. The flight we got is a direct flight from Germany, so we have to go through immigration at DIA. We are coming home!
The five Christoffersons.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Donetsk
Now there are 6 of us traveling. And at least 10 bags.
Olga got up early and started working the system. Eileen and I had our last breakfast in the Europa Hotel. We packed and were ready to go at 10. Olga came back and we went to get birth certificates changed for Sasha and Nastiya. This place had a door that had no restraint on shutting, and banged loudly with every person that went through. It had broken glass on the bottom half. No wonder. Then we went to the internot. We were delayed by a funeral procession. It was a short procession, but 2 buses were part of it. Out of respect, we stopped and waited. The procession went only 50 yards after we stopped, then they started getting on the buses. We continued to the internot.
We delivered two bottles of champagne, signed papers, and the girls were no longer in the care of the internot. The director gave us some ceramic pieces. Then we went to the girls' classrooms, for one final goodbye. First was Nastiya's class. Anya's (the local translator) mother gave a small goodbye speech to the class, and explained what would be happening. It got to Sasha, and she teared up. Several of the little girls came up to Nastiya and said a final goodbye. Then we went to Sasha's class, and the same speech. Again some tears.
We went outside to our taxi. Before we left, Sasha got out and gave Anya's mother a long, long hug. She obviously loves this woman very much. She also said goodbye to another woman, another teacher possibly. Then we drove downtown, where Olga did more paper work. I got out and checked the exchange rate. It has been rising very quickly over the past few days.
We traveled to the trade school, where Tanya attends class. We delivered two more bottles of champagne, and the director released Tanya into our care. Then we went to the electronics store, to finally pay for some equipment we were buying for the internot. However, the equipment had just arrived. And we did not want to pay for it until it had been inspected. Which was taking a long time. So I had to leave some money with the internot's technical guy, and we left.
Back to the hotel. Now we had a second taxi. Six people plus driver plus bags would never fit in one car. And it was "off to Donetsk!" Which meant 90 minutes of driving through one town after another, on poorly maintained roads, followed by 30 minues of cruising on well maintained roads. When we finally left the towns, we got to see the hills and valleys. It reminded me a lot of Oklahoma.
Then we came into Donetsk. A big city like Kiev. We arrived later than we wanted, and it took a while to find the correct office. And then it took a very long while to get the last birth certificate. So no luck getting on tonight's train. And the train for the next night looks doubtful: there are only upper berths left. This means we would be split among at least three cars. Not a good situation. We were told by the ticket seller that there might be a chance that more berths would open tomorrow at 8 AM. It's going to be a short night.
We booked some rooms at a hotel next to the train station. We went to a restaurant called "Sun City", which even had menus in English if you asked for them. Now the big question is, if we make it to Kiev on Thursday, can we still be home this weekend?
Olga got up early and started working the system. Eileen and I had our last breakfast in the Europa Hotel. We packed and were ready to go at 10. Olga came back and we went to get birth certificates changed for Sasha and Nastiya. This place had a door that had no restraint on shutting, and banged loudly with every person that went through. It had broken glass on the bottom half. No wonder. Then we went to the internot. We were delayed by a funeral procession. It was a short procession, but 2 buses were part of it. Out of respect, we stopped and waited. The procession went only 50 yards after we stopped, then they started getting on the buses. We continued to the internot.
We delivered two bottles of champagne, signed papers, and the girls were no longer in the care of the internot. The director gave us some ceramic pieces. Then we went to the girls' classrooms, for one final goodbye. First was Nastiya's class. Anya's (the local translator) mother gave a small goodbye speech to the class, and explained what would be happening. It got to Sasha, and she teared up. Several of the little girls came up to Nastiya and said a final goodbye. Then we went to Sasha's class, and the same speech. Again some tears.
We went outside to our taxi. Before we left, Sasha got out and gave Anya's mother a long, long hug. She obviously loves this woman very much. She also said goodbye to another woman, another teacher possibly. Then we drove downtown, where Olga did more paper work. I got out and checked the exchange rate. It has been rising very quickly over the past few days.
We traveled to the trade school, where Tanya attends class. We delivered two more bottles of champagne, and the director released Tanya into our care. Then we went to the electronics store, to finally pay for some equipment we were buying for the internot. However, the equipment had just arrived. And we did not want to pay for it until it had been inspected. Which was taking a long time. So I had to leave some money with the internot's technical guy, and we left.
Back to the hotel. Now we had a second taxi. Six people plus driver plus bags would never fit in one car. And it was "off to Donetsk!" Which meant 90 minutes of driving through one town after another, on poorly maintained roads, followed by 30 minues of cruising on well maintained roads. When we finally left the towns, we got to see the hills and valleys. It reminded me a lot of Oklahoma.
Then we came into Donetsk. A big city like Kiev. We arrived later than we wanted, and it took a while to find the correct office. And then it took a very long while to get the last birth certificate. So no luck getting on tonight's train. And the train for the next night looks doubtful: there are only upper berths left. This means we would be split among at least three cars. Not a good situation. We were told by the ticket seller that there might be a chance that more berths would open tomorrow at 8 AM. It's going to be a short night.
We booked some rooms at a hotel next to the train station. We went to a restaurant called "Sun City", which even had menus in English if you asked for them. Now the big question is, if we make it to Kiev on Thursday, can we still be home this weekend?
On the move again
Monday, Olga came back to town. We went to Kramatorsk, not far away and about the same size as Slovyansk, to do more notary work.
Today, we will work on birth certificates, and hopefully passports in Donetsk. If all goes really well, we may take the train tonight to Kiev.
Today, we will work on birth certificates, and hopefully passports in Donetsk. If all goes really well, we may take the train tonight to Kiev.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Day 35, 36
Answers to frequently asked questions:
Should the Lord bless, and paperwork go through we could be home next weekend. (Yes, that is a prayer request).
If you choose to try and adopt the children you hosted, send the director back with a big thick photo album of pictures. We were like celebrities when we arrived here to get the girls! The staff treasures the photos and want to keep them (I’m pretty sure forever).
Learn the numbers in Russian. That is totally invaluable as you do business in the city.
After the “Honored Ambassador” experience, yes, we will be hard to live with.
We have learned from our foster care experience, that not every relative is benevolent. You have to be protective of your children first. The children may care deeply for these relatives but it may be necessary to screen all correspondence.
And now ...
Close Encounters of the Babushka Kind
Up to school to pick up the girls. Anya asked us to come early. She has class at 1pm at the college close by. Could we come at 12:30, there is a gift for us. We were presented with two beautiful metalwork pieces of art. One was a framed piece and the other in the shape of a circle. Anya’s father is something of an artist. I had marveled at his work earlier in our trip when Anya pointed out something he had made in a shop we visited. What a lovely gift to receive these two pieces created by hand! The bishop like dude is St. Nicholas. The other is of a country scene (please see our pix photo album).
Nastia was being treated for head lice. Her sisters found some nits on her head the night before and informed the proper authorities (school). The “treatment” should take 2 hours. I wondered how they could make it take so long. I began to worry about her being exposed to the chemicals they were using. However, I hadn’t brought any treatment meds with me so I’m glad they’re trying to catch it before it spreads or (gasp) hatches. That left us with some free time with Sasha.
We taxied Anya to school and stopped at the supermarket for a few things. Then we hopped the trolley for the hotel. It was overcrowded as usual. I was trying to balance myself and not step on the toes of the elderly lady whose fuzzy pink hat was just inches away from my navel. Sasha started to talk to someone in my direction. This isn’t unusual. She has many teachers and caretakers. We are in their obvious stomping grounds being so close to the internot. The trolley stopped and we wedged ourselves free of the crowds. Sasha waved at someone sitting near the exit.
“That was my Babushka!” she said of the lady in the fuzzy pink hat.
What?! The Babushka?! I smiled and waved as she turned to get another glimpse of her grandchild.
She took no notice of me but looked at Sasha with the full realization that she may never see her again.
It was the look of unmistakable grief.
Should the Lord bless, and paperwork go through we could be home next weekend. (Yes, that is a prayer request).
If you choose to try and adopt the children you hosted, send the director back with a big thick photo album of pictures. We were like celebrities when we arrived here to get the girls! The staff treasures the photos and want to keep them (I’m pretty sure forever).
Learn the numbers in Russian. That is totally invaluable as you do business in the city.
After the “Honored Ambassador” experience, yes, we will be hard to live with.
We have learned from our foster care experience, that not every relative is benevolent. You have to be protective of your children first. The children may care deeply for these relatives but it may be necessary to screen all correspondence.
And now ...
Close Encounters of the Babushka Kind
Up to school to pick up the girls. Anya asked us to come early. She has class at 1pm at the college close by. Could we come at 12:30, there is a gift for us. We were presented with two beautiful metalwork pieces of art. One was a framed piece and the other in the shape of a circle. Anya’s father is something of an artist. I had marveled at his work earlier in our trip when Anya pointed out something he had made in a shop we visited. What a lovely gift to receive these two pieces created by hand! The bishop like dude is St. Nicholas. The other is of a country scene (please see our pix photo album).
Nastia was being treated for head lice. Her sisters found some nits on her head the night before and informed the proper authorities (school). The “treatment” should take 2 hours. I wondered how they could make it take so long. I began to worry about her being exposed to the chemicals they were using. However, I hadn’t brought any treatment meds with me so I’m glad they’re trying to catch it before it spreads or (gasp) hatches. That left us with some free time with Sasha.
We taxied Anya to school and stopped at the supermarket for a few things. Then we hopped the trolley for the hotel. It was overcrowded as usual. I was trying to balance myself and not step on the toes of the elderly lady whose fuzzy pink hat was just inches away from my navel. Sasha started to talk to someone in my direction. This isn’t unusual. She has many teachers and caretakers. We are in their obvious stomping grounds being so close to the internot. The trolley stopped and we wedged ourselves free of the crowds. Sasha waved at someone sitting near the exit.
“That was my Babushka!” she said of the lady in the fuzzy pink hat.
What?! The Babushka?! I smiled and waved as she turned to get another glimpse of her grandchild.
She took no notice of me but looked at Sasha with the full realization that she may never see her again.
It was the look of unmistakable grief.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Day 33, 34
Honored Ambassadors
We were told we were late. They were waiting.
We scrambled up several flights of stairs to the auditorium. It was decorated with balloons and curling ribbon. A small table was set up near the stage with a blue tablecloth and a vase with live flowers. As we entered 200 children cheered. What a rush. Definitely one of the high points of my life! The English teacher came over and introduced herself holding my hand as if she has been a devoted fan all her life.
I smiled warmly as we were ushered to the table with the blue cloth and invited to sit down. Anya was at my left.
The English teacher addressed the crowds of children and teachers.
“We love to study about many countries of the world and we are learning to speak and read English. We are so happy to have you here as our honored guests,” she said turning to us. “We would like to show you something of our culture and ask you some question about yours. Is that okay?”
“Absolutely!”
One girl, who looked to be about 14, stepped up to the microphone and gave a short speech about her town. She did a good job, I thought, but at the end she stumbled on her words a little and put her hand over her mouth as she rushed to sit down (it is the way of 14 year old girls, I think).
Traditional dances, an older group and a younger group of kids in full traditional costume. Everyone who travels longs for this sort of cultural treat. People even pay money for it. Eat your heart out. Not only was it just for us and free of charge but it was also done by the pure of heart. There was some joke telling, skit style. The reciting of poems much loved by the Ukrainians both by individuals and groups, en mass. We had a special visit by a fellow who was dressed like Abe Lincoln, sans the beard, named “Mr. ABC.” They all sang a version of the ABC’s that I’m not familiar with. Probably created by those Brits.
Then the floor was open for questions. Three brave souls dared to approach.
“What do you think of our town?”
“What do you eat?” I told them anything but bugs but I should have elaborated.
“Tell us about your town.”
I was presented with the flowers and 2 reports written by children in class on the topic of America. Back at the hotel I noticed that the US has a rule making body called the “govern meat.” No comment.
Then the children were dismissed.
We went downstairs to the principal’s office where I got out the cakes we bought for the girl’s classroom celebrations. Sometime earlier in the week, Rolan caught a glimpse of an interesting room off the library and asked about it. It was a “heritage room.” The staff were proud to share it. I was mushed down the hall. What a beautiful room! A mock fireplace occupied one end of the room with ceramic pots and painted spoons. On the upper walls, traditional clothes were pinned up, dating back to the 1800’s. At the other end, a mock well and a low fence made of twigs and branches with pots turned over the fence posts. A beautiful mural covered the far wall. I was told there was a gifted artist on staff. The school has more murals than I’ve ever seen in a school. The walls never seem to have marks or are dirty. It’s really one of the cleanest schools I’ve seen. There was a long low table in the middle with 2 samovars (big urns for tea). We were invited to sit down and were given wooden spoons. Mmmmmm, lunch? No just photos. I grabbed a ceramic pot sitting on the table and mocked eating whatever imaginary oatmeal might be inside. Ah, these Americans are so funny!
On our way back to the office I took Anya aside and asked her if it would be okay to take photos of some of the kids that needed homes. Maybe we could share the photos with friends and see if we could find families for them. Anya was sure that would be okay.
After cake was served, we found our way back to Nickolas’ office. Pen in hand, Anya carefully recorded the names of each of the children that were brought in along with their ages. Rolan took pictures. I had to fight tears. I hope this orphanage in Slavyansk has many American Ambassadors in the coming months. I hope these Ambassadors come for the love of children, choosing to share their hearts ... and their homes.
This is Fedya (12) and his sister Maryna (13). Fedya has been very helpful to us. He seems like a wonderful boy. We came looking for girls, but this guy is a real sweetie.
We were told we were late. They were waiting.
We scrambled up several flights of stairs to the auditorium. It was decorated with balloons and curling ribbon. A small table was set up near the stage with a blue tablecloth and a vase with live flowers. As we entered 200 children cheered. What a rush. Definitely one of the high points of my life! The English teacher came over and introduced herself holding my hand as if she has been a devoted fan all her life.
I smiled warmly as we were ushered to the table with the blue cloth and invited to sit down. Anya was at my left.
The English teacher addressed the crowds of children and teachers.
“We love to study about many countries of the world and we are learning to speak and read English. We are so happy to have you here as our honored guests,” she said turning to us. “We would like to show you something of our culture and ask you some question about yours. Is that okay?”
“Absolutely!”
One girl, who looked to be about 14, stepped up to the microphone and gave a short speech about her town. She did a good job, I thought, but at the end she stumbled on her words a little and put her hand over her mouth as she rushed to sit down (it is the way of 14 year old girls, I think).
Traditional dances, an older group and a younger group of kids in full traditional costume. Everyone who travels longs for this sort of cultural treat. People even pay money for it. Eat your heart out. Not only was it just for us and free of charge but it was also done by the pure of heart. There was some joke telling, skit style. The reciting of poems much loved by the Ukrainians both by individuals and groups, en mass. We had a special visit by a fellow who was dressed like Abe Lincoln, sans the beard, named “Mr. ABC.” They all sang a version of the ABC’s that I’m not familiar with. Probably created by those Brits.
Then the floor was open for questions. Three brave souls dared to approach.
“What do you think of our town?”
“What do you eat?” I told them anything but bugs but I should have elaborated.
“Tell us about your town.”
I was presented with the flowers and 2 reports written by children in class on the topic of America. Back at the hotel I noticed that the US has a rule making body called the “govern meat.” No comment.
Then the children were dismissed.
We went downstairs to the principal’s office where I got out the cakes we bought for the girl’s classroom celebrations. Sometime earlier in the week, Rolan caught a glimpse of an interesting room off the library and asked about it. It was a “heritage room.” The staff were proud to share it. I was mushed down the hall. What a beautiful room! A mock fireplace occupied one end of the room with ceramic pots and painted spoons. On the upper walls, traditional clothes were pinned up, dating back to the 1800’s. At the other end, a mock well and a low fence made of twigs and branches with pots turned over the fence posts. A beautiful mural covered the far wall. I was told there was a gifted artist on staff. The school has more murals than I’ve ever seen in a school. The walls never seem to have marks or are dirty. It’s really one of the cleanest schools I’ve seen. There was a long low table in the middle with 2 samovars (big urns for tea). We were invited to sit down and were given wooden spoons. Mmmmmm, lunch? No just photos. I grabbed a ceramic pot sitting on the table and mocked eating whatever imaginary oatmeal might be inside. Ah, these Americans are so funny!
On our way back to the office I took Anya aside and asked her if it would be okay to take photos of some of the kids that needed homes. Maybe we could share the photos with friends and see if we could find families for them. Anya was sure that would be okay.
After cake was served, we found our way back to Nickolas’ office. Pen in hand, Anya carefully recorded the names of each of the children that were brought in along with their ages. Rolan took pictures. I had to fight tears. I hope this orphanage in Slavyansk has many American Ambassadors in the coming months. I hope these Ambassadors come for the love of children, choosing to share their hearts ... and their homes.
This is Fedya (12) and his sister Maryna (13). Fedya has been very helpful to us. He seems like a wonderful boy. We came looking for girls, but this guy is a real sweetie.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Day 31, 32
We wanted to buy disposable cameras for the girls. We tried to describe to Tanya what we wanted. Throw away the camera?? Nyet!! Tanya called Anya. She had never heard of such a thing. We called Olga, so we could get the point across. It turns out there are disposable cameras in Kiev but no disposable cameras in Slavyansk. But Tanya said she knew where we can get cameras for 100 Grivney, or about $12. Great, let’s go get cameras. The first place we shopped had shiny new digital cameras, but nothing less than about $100. Next place, same story. The next store had digital cameras for as little as $60. But we could not buy three cameras for that price. As we were walking toward another mall, I tried to tell Tanya that it’s ok for the camera to be cheap, because film is cheap. I could buy 3 or 5 or 10 rolls of film, for each of them. Tanya heard film, she heard cheap, she heard many, and she became very happy and very excited. At this point, I became suspicious. Why did she become so happy? We must have a case of “faux ami”, as the French say: a false friend. A word that sounds like it should mean one thing, but it means something else. A Russian example is the word “machina”, which means “car”. The only word I had been using repeatedly was “film”. And it was pretty clear that film meant movie. We make it clear that we were not going to buy a lot of movies. Eileen looked up the word for “camera film”, which is “plyonka”. The big smile fell from Tanya’s face. Now we were communicating again. We walked to another mall, which feels more like a flea market but stinkier. And there were cameras for $10. We picked out 3, and then I discovered I had left my Grivney back at the hotel. We decided to do the cameras later. Passed our bank and saw the guard outside on the landing. “California!” he said. No, “Colorado!” I said.
We dashed to the internot. We talked with the director about a multimedia projector we could get for his school. I wanted to see the room where they would use the projector. It was the library, which was about the size of a classroom. The head of teaching showed me this room. Then she took me across the hall to another room, the Ukrainian room. There was a wall mural of a Ukrainian village. There was Ukrainian furniture, other neat stuff. I should have taken pictures, dumb, dumb, dumb. I’ve already forgotten what was in the room.
Changing money at our favorite bank. The guard there now knew we were from Colorado. We are getting to be friends. Changing money at the bank still took a while. We were the only ones in line when we started. The cashier had to close her window, walk out and lock her cage, and go into the bank proper. A line started forming. Why can’t this be easy? She finally came back with the currency. As we left, the guard told us, “good luck.”
What happens when you get a camera for the first time? You take pictures of everything. And what happens the first time you get a camera that actually uses film? You need to examine it. Within a few hours, Sasha had opened the back of her camera, to look at the film. Nyet Otkrit! Don’t open! OK, OK! Sasha came back the next day, and said the film was broken. What did that mean? After miscommunication, we figured out she had used up the film, and the camera had automatically rewound the film. She heard this noise, wondered what had happened, opened the camera, and the film was gone. Only a can was left. She took out the can, broke it open, then threw it away. That was a $2 mistake. We’ll get more film.
Nastiya was imitating her sister. She too had to open the camera and expose the film. OK, I won’t do that again. The next day, Sasha told us that Nastiya’s camera was not working. This camera has a manual film rewind. Uh oh, I can see what happened here. So I rewound the film. It went on and on and on. Why wouldn’t it finish? Sasha showed me that it still takes pictures. OK, now we were double exposing the film. I locked myself in the bathroom, after explaining to the girls, Don’t turn the lights on (OK, OK). It takes a while, but I was finally able to get the film out of the camera. How many pictures were taken? How many were exposed? How many were double exposed? Another $2 adventure.
Babushka had her moment. She had been informed about the court date and other things. (Darn, we could have been on TV). She came to the school in the morning and took the girls aside. Sasha said Babushka railed on them until they were in tears. She asked them what they would do in America and that we would harvest their organs. I’m glad I wasn’t there. I would have boxed her ears, senior citizen or not. I’m thinking maybe she is finished with the kids now but I will ask the staff to keep her away from the children from now on. She has no more rights and is only hurting them.
We dashed to the internot. We talked with the director about a multimedia projector we could get for his school. I wanted to see the room where they would use the projector. It was the library, which was about the size of a classroom. The head of teaching showed me this room. Then she took me across the hall to another room, the Ukrainian room. There was a wall mural of a Ukrainian village. There was Ukrainian furniture, other neat stuff. I should have taken pictures, dumb, dumb, dumb. I’ve already forgotten what was in the room.
Changing money at our favorite bank. The guard there now knew we were from Colorado. We are getting to be friends. Changing money at the bank still took a while. We were the only ones in line when we started. The cashier had to close her window, walk out and lock her cage, and go into the bank proper. A line started forming. Why can’t this be easy? She finally came back with the currency. As we left, the guard told us, “good luck.”
What happens when you get a camera for the first time? You take pictures of everything. And what happens the first time you get a camera that actually uses film? You need to examine it. Within a few hours, Sasha had opened the back of her camera, to look at the film. Nyet Otkrit! Don’t open! OK, OK! Sasha came back the next day, and said the film was broken. What did that mean? After miscommunication, we figured out she had used up the film, and the camera had automatically rewound the film. She heard this noise, wondered what had happened, opened the camera, and the film was gone. Only a can was left. She took out the can, broke it open, then threw it away. That was a $2 mistake. We’ll get more film.
Nastiya was imitating her sister. She too had to open the camera and expose the film. OK, I won’t do that again. The next day, Sasha told us that Nastiya’s camera was not working. This camera has a manual film rewind. Uh oh, I can see what happened here. So I rewound the film. It went on and on and on. Why wouldn’t it finish? Sasha showed me that it still takes pictures. OK, now we were double exposing the film. I locked myself in the bathroom, after explaining to the girls, Don’t turn the lights on (OK, OK). It takes a while, but I was finally able to get the film out of the camera. How many pictures were taken? How many were exposed? How many were double exposed? Another $2 adventure.
Babushka had her moment. She had been informed about the court date and other things. (Darn, we could have been on TV). She came to the school in the morning and took the girls aside. Sasha said Babushka railed on them until they were in tears. She asked them what they would do in America and that we would harvest their organs. I’m glad I wasn’t there. I would have boxed her ears, senior citizen or not. I’m thinking maybe she is finished with the kids now but I will ask the staff to keep her away from the children from now on. She has no more rights and is only hurting them.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Day 30
What happens when you visit a market too many times? They run out of the things you like. The large market now only has rubbery cucumbers and bruised tomatoes. The little market no longer has instant soups or “sesame brittle”.
What do you do with kids when you only have a two room hotel “suite” and it’s cold and rainy outside? We eat. We play Uno. We go shopping for food. We go for a walk in the rain. Mud, ugh. You do laundry. Again.
Now, a little about the washing machine.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask that today you appreciate your washing machine. That’s right, that utilitarian appliance that is unsung, unobserved by the many honored visitors to your home, often hidden in closet or an unadorned room of your house. For my sake, stand in front of the thing and utter a prayer of thanksgiving. Observe every item you place inside its oft used interior and imagine trying to wash each of those items in a basin not created for that use. Standing over bathroom sink or shower, back aching, no they don’t come out as clean. For my sake, be grateful this day for this humble appliance. Thank you.
Now back to our regular programming.
We went shopping at the big market in the morning, and bought a lot of food. The girls wanted to take a taxi back to the hotel. They always want to take a taxi. What is it with taxis? Is it some kind of status symbol, to be able to afford a taxi? We went to the pizza place in the afternoon. Tanya came, and we fed them all. We went to the little market after lunch. It was raining, so we took a taxi to the hotel. Even though we just had lunch, the girls started eating again. Nastiya decided she was sleepy, so she and Eileen lay on the bed and watched TV. A Jackie Chan movie, dubbed. Sasha and I played cards. After a while, I went in to watch TV. Sasha cleaned up the room, and did a great job. Then we all ended up on the bed. We quickly went from tickling to teasing. Oh well. Back to the internot by bus. Hugs and kisses and a choop-a-choop (lollipop). Eileen and I walked back in the mist. It’s easier to walk back to the hotel, it’s downhill.
I have a bachelor’s degree in missions. Not that I ever wanted to go somewhere. I had a domestic people group in mind, but that isn’t important. In missionary school, they assume everyone is leaving the country, so they prepare you for that. I remember a thing or two they said all those years ago about leaving your country to be assimilated into another. The first month you observe and appreciate the similarities and differences of your new surroundings. A kind of honeymoon, if you will. You have respect for their culture, traditions and daily practice of survival, who they are in the grand scheme of things called the “brotherhood of man.” After about a month the delight of the new land starts to get on your nerves. You begin to miss the things unique to home (or the things home does better). The thought of a McDonald’s hamburger would not, even under the most dire circumstances, appeal to my snobbish American taste buds while on American soil, but being so far from home for this length of time and observing somewhat closely the quality of the equivalent here, I would pay; yes give actually money, for even a small bite of said burger this side of the Atlantic.
This is the sort of thinking that goes through one’s mind, one month into the process. Why don’t they turn the lights on around here? Its dark enough even in the daylight! Stop littering people! You really must pass some laws to keep the average person with reasonable bladder control from eliminating wherever he pleases. To say nothing of the dogs. The rant will stop here. However this should give you some insight as to why a person who has been here for 4+ weeks starts to forfeit little bits of sanity to stay afloat on the sea of alienation. Bear in mind those who have questionable sanity to begin with, stand even more to lose.
My husband is on the floor squishing ants.
What do you do with kids when you only have a two room hotel “suite” and it’s cold and rainy outside? We eat. We play Uno. We go shopping for food. We go for a walk in the rain. Mud, ugh. You do laundry. Again.
Now, a little about the washing machine.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would ask that today you appreciate your washing machine. That’s right, that utilitarian appliance that is unsung, unobserved by the many honored visitors to your home, often hidden in closet or an unadorned room of your house. For my sake, stand in front of the thing and utter a prayer of thanksgiving. Observe every item you place inside its oft used interior and imagine trying to wash each of those items in a basin not created for that use. Standing over bathroom sink or shower, back aching, no they don’t come out as clean. For my sake, be grateful this day for this humble appliance. Thank you.
Now back to our regular programming.
We went shopping at the big market in the morning, and bought a lot of food. The girls wanted to take a taxi back to the hotel. They always want to take a taxi. What is it with taxis? Is it some kind of status symbol, to be able to afford a taxi? We went to the pizza place in the afternoon. Tanya came, and we fed them all. We went to the little market after lunch. It was raining, so we took a taxi to the hotel. Even though we just had lunch, the girls started eating again. Nastiya decided she was sleepy, so she and Eileen lay on the bed and watched TV. A Jackie Chan movie, dubbed. Sasha and I played cards. After a while, I went in to watch TV. Sasha cleaned up the room, and did a great job. Then we all ended up on the bed. We quickly went from tickling to teasing. Oh well. Back to the internot by bus. Hugs and kisses and a choop-a-choop (lollipop). Eileen and I walked back in the mist. It’s easier to walk back to the hotel, it’s downhill.
I have a bachelor’s degree in missions. Not that I ever wanted to go somewhere. I had a domestic people group in mind, but that isn’t important. In missionary school, they assume everyone is leaving the country, so they prepare you for that. I remember a thing or two they said all those years ago about leaving your country to be assimilated into another. The first month you observe and appreciate the similarities and differences of your new surroundings. A kind of honeymoon, if you will. You have respect for their culture, traditions and daily practice of survival, who they are in the grand scheme of things called the “brotherhood of man.” After about a month the delight of the new land starts to get on your nerves. You begin to miss the things unique to home (or the things home does better). The thought of a McDonald’s hamburger would not, even under the most dire circumstances, appeal to my snobbish American taste buds while on American soil, but being so far from home for this length of time and observing somewhat closely the quality of the equivalent here, I would pay; yes give actually money, for even a small bite of said burger this side of the Atlantic.
This is the sort of thinking that goes through one’s mind, one month into the process. Why don’t they turn the lights on around here? Its dark enough even in the daylight! Stop littering people! You really must pass some laws to keep the average person with reasonable bladder control from eliminating wherever he pleases. To say nothing of the dogs. The rant will stop here. However this should give you some insight as to why a person who has been here for 4+ weeks starts to forfeit little bits of sanity to stay afloat on the sea of alienation. Bear in mind those who have questionable sanity to begin with, stand even more to lose.
My husband is on the floor squishing ants.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Day 29
We walked into town for the first time. We have always taken the trolley or bus so we have never checked out the sidewalks between here and the city center. Bought soap, deodorant at a tidy store chain called “Eva” much like Walgreens in the US. We may look funny to the locals but we still want to smell good.
Walked back to hotel. I caught a bus to the internot. The girls were waiting in the play area. When we got back to the hotel, everyone ate. Don’t want all that food to go to waste! Tanya arrived while I was getting the younger girls and gave Eileen a beautiful golden ceramic tea pot, sugar bowl and tea cups. A gift from Igor’s mom Oksana. Sasha and I were going to walk to a park. When Tanya saw us leaving, she joined us. Nastia and Eileen stayed behind to take a nap.
Tanya talked while walking, very upset. Sasha urged me give Tanya some money for a ride to visit friends. Sasha and I walked to an old amusement park close by. It looked like it had been built in the 1950’s, and poorly maintained. Trenches were dug everywhere. They must be working on the water system. The dirt (mud) was piled everywhere. The place looked like a swamp. The melting snow and rainwater hadn’t drained, creating large puddles everywhere. Wondered if this was a mosquito amusement park during the summer. Sasha climbed on the decrepit rides. She wanted me to join her.
We watched the crew dig in the mud and get ready to pump water out of the trenches. Sasha wanted to go to another park, I wanted to walk back toward the hotel using a different route. Walked past another monument, soviet style. A guy holding a 1930’s style machine gun. I choose to believe he is a war hero and not a Ukrainian mob icon. As we approached the hotel, we saw that the entrance was crowded. There had to be 50 people. As we got close, we noticed a couple was dancing in front of a nice car, possibly a limo. One or two more joined the dance. An older man had a red sash with gold threadwork. Soon the dancing stopped, and a bride and groom got out of the car. The bride mostly in white, the groom with sashes and other colorful garb. Rice was thrown. A dish was broken. Coins were tossed. Then they went inside for the reception. This was at 1PM. The festivities are still going at 10PM. These people know how to party!
All four of us went into town to Chelentano’s (beloved pizza place) for some food. Tanya and Igor joined us. The place was packed. Could be because of Valentine’s Day? Igor gave Eileen a Calla Lily with red coloring. As we walked back to the hotel, we noticed the flower market in all its Valentine’s Day glory. Some of the sellers had moved their wares to the street for quick pickup by the forgetful and rushed. We bought some heart-shaped helium balloons for the girls. It was encouraging to see these people in the dingy darkness of the day and place, cheered by the beauty of flowers, balloons and celebration. Here’s to you St. Valentine.
Walked back to hotel. I caught a bus to the internot. The girls were waiting in the play area. When we got back to the hotel, everyone ate. Don’t want all that food to go to waste! Tanya arrived while I was getting the younger girls and gave Eileen a beautiful golden ceramic tea pot, sugar bowl and tea cups. A gift from Igor’s mom Oksana. Sasha and I were going to walk to a park. When Tanya saw us leaving, she joined us. Nastia and Eileen stayed behind to take a nap.
Tanya talked while walking, very upset. Sasha urged me give Tanya some money for a ride to visit friends. Sasha and I walked to an old amusement park close by. It looked like it had been built in the 1950’s, and poorly maintained. Trenches were dug everywhere. They must be working on the water system. The dirt (mud) was piled everywhere. The place looked like a swamp. The melting snow and rainwater hadn’t drained, creating large puddles everywhere. Wondered if this was a mosquito amusement park during the summer. Sasha climbed on the decrepit rides. She wanted me to join her.
We watched the crew dig in the mud and get ready to pump water out of the trenches. Sasha wanted to go to another park, I wanted to walk back toward the hotel using a different route. Walked past another monument, soviet style. A guy holding a 1930’s style machine gun. I choose to believe he is a war hero and not a Ukrainian mob icon. As we approached the hotel, we saw that the entrance was crowded. There had to be 50 people. As we got close, we noticed a couple was dancing in front of a nice car, possibly a limo. One or two more joined the dance. An older man had a red sash with gold threadwork. Soon the dancing stopped, and a bride and groom got out of the car. The bride mostly in white, the groom with sashes and other colorful garb. Rice was thrown. A dish was broken. Coins were tossed. Then they went inside for the reception. This was at 1PM. The festivities are still going at 10PM. These people know how to party!
All four of us went into town to Chelentano’s (beloved pizza place) for some food. Tanya and Igor joined us. The place was packed. Could be because of Valentine’s Day? Igor gave Eileen a Calla Lily with red coloring. As we walked back to the hotel, we noticed the flower market in all its Valentine’s Day glory. Some of the sellers had moved their wares to the street for quick pickup by the forgetful and rushed. We bought some heart-shaped helium balloons for the girls. It was encouraging to see these people in the dingy darkness of the day and place, cheered by the beauty of flowers, balloons and celebration. Here’s to you St. Valentine.
Day 28
Breakfast served by Kate. She speaks English. Eileen bought some loose leaf tea by mistake and wanted to have it served to us in a pot. Kate was accommodating. We blessed Kate with the whole box trying to explain that it would be great to have for the next 10 mornings. Wonder if we will get it tomorrow.
Washed a lot of socks.
Tanya arrived. We went shopping for food. We took a trolley to the market. There wasn’t the usual money taker and we couldn’t figure out whom to give the money to. Free today! We saw a book store before food shopping, and bought Tanya two cookbooks. It seems like a fitting gift for a girl who loves to cook. Now she can take the traditional and classic foods of Ukraine with her to her new life, and I won’t benefit at all. Purely a selfless act of generosity on my part. I’m glad you agree.
We bought a lot of food at the market. They had some instant soup we had been looking for as well as a small cutting board to slice the much loved cucumbers and salamis. Ah Pringles ,(a replacement for the hamburger). Living in a hotel, we’re eating obscene amounts of instant foods. We generate so much trash that the hotel clerks have taken up leaving us our daily trash bag when they remove our full ones each day. We had so much to carry today, we took a taxi to the hotel. Having packed away the munchies, at 2:00, I went to get the girls. They were not done with school, so I had to wait a few minutes. Other kids came out, wanted to practice their English. “Hello, my name is Maria.” We walked back toward the hotel. We walked with some kids that Sasha and Nastiya knew. They had a guardian that was taking them into town. Tanya was gone by the time I got back. We played card games, watched ‘Mary Poppins’ and munched.
Washed a lot of socks.
Tanya arrived. We went shopping for food. We took a trolley to the market. There wasn’t the usual money taker and we couldn’t figure out whom to give the money to. Free today! We saw a book store before food shopping, and bought Tanya two cookbooks. It seems like a fitting gift for a girl who loves to cook. Now she can take the traditional and classic foods of Ukraine with her to her new life, and I won’t benefit at all. Purely a selfless act of generosity on my part. I’m glad you agree.
We bought a lot of food at the market. They had some instant soup we had been looking for as well as a small cutting board to slice the much loved cucumbers and salamis. Ah Pringles ,(a replacement for the hamburger). Living in a hotel, we’re eating obscene amounts of instant foods. We generate so much trash that the hotel clerks have taken up leaving us our daily trash bag when they remove our full ones each day. We had so much to carry today, we took a taxi to the hotel. Having packed away the munchies, at 2:00, I went to get the girls. They were not done with school, so I had to wait a few minutes. Other kids came out, wanted to practice their English. “Hello, my name is Maria.” We walked back toward the hotel. We walked with some kids that Sasha and Nastiya knew. They had a guardian that was taking them into town. Tanya was gone by the time I got back. We played card games, watched ‘Mary Poppins’ and munched.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Day 27
Ladies and Gentlemen Friends and Relatives
(Ahem)
It is with great joy that we announce the adoption of:
Tatianna Ann Christofferson
Born: January 4, 1992
Sophia Ann Christofferson
Born: September 3, 1997
Anna Renee Christofferson
Born: December 20, 2000
Adopted this 12th day of February 2009
Parents Rolan and Eileen are dazed, uh, fine.
After 4 years, we finally found what we’ve been looking for!
The day started with a bit of rare sunshine. Clouds moved in but we remained hopeful. Tanya popped in looking beautiful at 11am. Rolan went and got the girls at 12. They showered, dressed and ate and ate and ate (but that’s another story).
At 1:40, we caught a cab for the courthouse. I still think we are going to see a big beautiful building instead of a post-soviet cinderblock box whenever we have to go some place official. They are always practical and not extravagant in any way. A steel fence surrounded the complex with an unusual winged hammer and sickle symbol mounted in the iron. The small parking lot was dirt. The girls were very excited. They ran ahead up 2 flights of stairs and down a narrow hallway lined with benches full of waiting people.
Olga was there. Tanya cornered her instantly blanketing her with chatter.
The court assistant came out and announced something. No one moved. She went in. Then she came out a few moments later to tell Olga something. Our boisterous mob filed in leaving the hall quiet again. It was 2 sharp.
The courtroom was surprisingly small with seating for 15 at most. In one corner there was a small jail cell with a bench. Three short pew-type benches and 4 desks. The recorder sat at one, there was one for the lawyer, one for a defendant and the judges “bench,” which was the smallest of all. The room was painted a very light pink but it was clean and well kept. The furniture looked fairly new. Each piece had a number. The flag and seal of Ukraine hung haphazard on the wall just behind the judge’s bench.
The judge himself looked to be in his 30s. He read the information on each document in a monotone voice, as fast as he could, signing each page as he went. Note to Ukrainian adopters: They do read all this stuff we send.
Representatives from Social Services, the orphanage and Tanya’s trade school were also there to give voice for the children along with 2 random guys whom I assumed to be witnesses (I guess they were ‘jury’).
We were asked why we wanted to adopt these children.
“Because we love children and we believe every child should have a family.”
“We hosted Sasha and Nastia last summer and fell in love with them. When we came to adopt them, we fell in love with Tanya too.” Olga translated for us.
Finally the monotone voice stopped. The judge and the 2 random guys went out for 5 minutes to deliberate. We talked. Contrary to my protests, Nastia wanted to investigate the contents of my purse. Tanya wanted some bucks for a gift for a friend. Sasha went over to the mic on the defendant’s desk and started tapping and talking into it.
Ah, family.
It was over before I knew it. Everybody believed the adoption is “in the best interest of the children.” There wasn’t a single voice of opposition. I bet the judge and the two random guys went out for a smoke.
We were off to “Chelentanos.” Olga bid farewell until the mandatory 10 day wait is over. The papers will be ready the morning of the 24th. We will need her here then!
We messed around until early evening. Tanya went home. Sasha and Nastia made a few more Valentines for buddies at the orphanage. We decided to have a light dinner in the attached restaurant. The food isn’t often good but pricey anyway. However this evening, the borshch was great. We were the only ones being served.
As we were finishing up, we watched a photographer come in and set up a light in different spots, moving it from one place to another. A lady in a white fur coat came over to us. In broken English, she said she was from a TV station filming a series on local dining spots. This restaurant was to be featured on Saturday. If we agreed to be filmed, our names could be selected to win a free dinner at this restaurant. (Oh, how thrilling.)
Well, how do you like that? Hollywood finds us even in the remote Ukrainian city of Slavyansk.
After careful consideration, I said no. Though I knew she wouldn’t understand, I said something about protecting the children. We got out of there.
The girls grew up here. They know quite a few people. I don’t think anyone has the power to stop the adoption but they could make trouble should they decide to. Yeah, let’s avoid that. Sorry young starlets, no TV appearances this week.
P.S. A little something about all the Ann(s). Tanya and Sasha both chose their names. Tanya liked Ann for a middle name and then Sasha decided she liked it too. We helped Nastia to choose her name. She showed some interest in Anna but couldn’t seem to give a definite answer. Anna is a great American name and short for her birth name of Anastacia so it stuck. Funny thing: the girls chose their names before without knowing my middle name is also . . . Ann.
(Ahem)
It is with great joy that we announce the adoption of:
Tatianna Ann Christofferson
Born: January 4, 1992
Sophia Ann Christofferson
Born: September 3, 1997
Anna Renee Christofferson
Born: December 20, 2000
Adopted this 12th day of February 2009
Parents Rolan and Eileen are dazed, uh, fine.
After 4 years, we finally found what we’ve been looking for!
The day started with a bit of rare sunshine. Clouds moved in but we remained hopeful. Tanya popped in looking beautiful at 11am. Rolan went and got the girls at 12. They showered, dressed and ate and ate and ate (but that’s another story).
At 1:40, we caught a cab for the courthouse. I still think we are going to see a big beautiful building instead of a post-soviet cinderblock box whenever we have to go some place official. They are always practical and not extravagant in any way. A steel fence surrounded the complex with an unusual winged hammer and sickle symbol mounted in the iron. The small parking lot was dirt. The girls were very excited. They ran ahead up 2 flights of stairs and down a narrow hallway lined with benches full of waiting people.
Olga was there. Tanya cornered her instantly blanketing her with chatter.
The court assistant came out and announced something. No one moved. She went in. Then she came out a few moments later to tell Olga something. Our boisterous mob filed in leaving the hall quiet again. It was 2 sharp.
The courtroom was surprisingly small with seating for 15 at most. In one corner there was a small jail cell with a bench. Three short pew-type benches and 4 desks. The recorder sat at one, there was one for the lawyer, one for a defendant and the judges “bench,” which was the smallest of all. The room was painted a very light pink but it was clean and well kept. The furniture looked fairly new. Each piece had a number. The flag and seal of Ukraine hung haphazard on the wall just behind the judge’s bench.
The judge himself looked to be in his 30s. He read the information on each document in a monotone voice, as fast as he could, signing each page as he went. Note to Ukrainian adopters: They do read all this stuff we send.
Representatives from Social Services, the orphanage and Tanya’s trade school were also there to give voice for the children along with 2 random guys whom I assumed to be witnesses (I guess they were ‘jury’).
We were asked why we wanted to adopt these children.
“Because we love children and we believe every child should have a family.”
“We hosted Sasha and Nastia last summer and fell in love with them. When we came to adopt them, we fell in love with Tanya too.” Olga translated for us.
Finally the monotone voice stopped. The judge and the 2 random guys went out for 5 minutes to deliberate. We talked. Contrary to my protests, Nastia wanted to investigate the contents of my purse. Tanya wanted some bucks for a gift for a friend. Sasha went over to the mic on the defendant’s desk and started tapping and talking into it.
Ah, family.
It was over before I knew it. Everybody believed the adoption is “in the best interest of the children.” There wasn’t a single voice of opposition. I bet the judge and the two random guys went out for a smoke.
We were off to “Chelentanos.” Olga bid farewell until the mandatory 10 day wait is over. The papers will be ready the morning of the 24th. We will need her here then!
We messed around until early evening. Tanya went home. Sasha and Nastia made a few more Valentines for buddies at the orphanage. We decided to have a light dinner in the attached restaurant. The food isn’t often good but pricey anyway. However this evening, the borshch was great. We were the only ones being served.
As we were finishing up, we watched a photographer come in and set up a light in different spots, moving it from one place to another. A lady in a white fur coat came over to us. In broken English, she said she was from a TV station filming a series on local dining spots. This restaurant was to be featured on Saturday. If we agreed to be filmed, our names could be selected to win a free dinner at this restaurant. (Oh, how thrilling.)
Well, how do you like that? Hollywood finds us even in the remote Ukrainian city of Slavyansk.
After careful consideration, I said no. Though I knew she wouldn’t understand, I said something about protecting the children. We got out of there.
The girls grew up here. They know quite a few people. I don’t think anyone has the power to stop the adoption but they could make trouble should they decide to. Yeah, let’s avoid that. Sorry young starlets, no TV appearances this week.
P.S. A little something about all the Ann(s). Tanya and Sasha both chose their names. Tanya liked Ann for a middle name and then Sasha decided she liked it too. We helped Nastia to choose her name. She showed some interest in Anna but couldn’t seem to give a definite answer. Anna is a great American name and short for her birth name of Anastacia so it stuck. Funny thing: the girls chose their names before without knowing my middle name is also . . . Ann.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Court Date Update
We had our court date this afternoon. Much reading of documents. At one point, the judge pulled out one of the documents and set it aside. That did not look good. However, after reading all the documents out loud, the stray paper was put in the folder with everything else. After saying the right words, the judge and recorder stepped out to make the decision. We waited 5 minutes. The judge came back in, more reading of documents. And we were approved.
Day 26
Little Doggie in a Red Jumpsuit
Another new breakfast. Something served on a piece of bread. Cheese, maybe, or salad dressing. Served by Kate, Katiya, the waitress that can speak some English. She always smiles. I like her.
In the morning, Eileen and I went downtown to get some money exchanged. Hopped on the trolley, and almost fell down as it started. Eileen may have bopped the ticket lady. She gave us the evil eye the rest of the trip.
Found a bank with a good exchange rate. Depending on the size of your town, there are always many places that will exchange. You can do a little shopping around for the best deal. The bank we chose this morning was pretty small. You had to file in single file. While waiting our turn, the security officer showed Eileen a place to sit. He was obviously looking for a little conversation. After 4 weeks, I (Eileen) still don’t know how to say, “I don’t speak Russian.” He was amused. Meanwhile, one of my 100’s was rejected. It had a spot, and some slight scribbling on it. The security guard came over and tried to talk to us. Was it about the hundred? He was talking to the cashier, and both were laughing. Eileen got out the dictionary. The guard mimed that he needed glasses to read. We found the word: country. What country were we from? Finally got across that it was America. “Colorado,” Eileen said to further amuse and confuse the man. As we left, he patted me on the back, reassuringly. I like that bank.
We did some shopping, then hopped back on the trolley. It was the most crowded I have ever seen it. It was the kind of squishing Felix told us about, where you wonder about the ethical place to keep your hands (not that you get to move them). People kept jumping on. Reminded me of a Weird Al song, “Another One Rides the Bus”: I think I’m missin’ a contact lens, I think my wallet’s gone, and I think this bus is stoppin’ again to let a couple more freaks get on. It sounded like the ticket lady (the same one Eileen bopped earlier) was shouting at people that they should take a taxi. She shoved her way past people, and I was able to pay her. We were lucky to get off at our stop.
Tanya came over, starved. She may be staying at friends, things may be rough between her and Igor. She ate most of the food we had. I read my mail. Found out I needed to fax some things back to the US. We ran downtown to the Post Office. Successfully faxed a document. Ran to the printer store, also a photo shop of sorts. Printed a document and signed it. Tanya produced a tiny photo of her mom. Could they blow it up a little? How much? One dollar. It would cost more at home. Like 10 times more. Sure, let’s get three copies. One for each girl. Ran back to the Post Office. Faxed another document. We were slow about our business and a line was forming. A lady came in with a little dog, yes, in a red jumpsuit. No leash, mind you. The little fellow wandered around but never went more than 8 feet from his lady. Judging from the food in the markets, I think this is mostly the cat-for-pets part of town. The apartments are too small. It’s hard to say for sure, however. How many of those street dogs are really following someone they know?
Tanya helped us find a taxi that dropped her off at her house, but then the taxi guy shut off the engine. What’s going on? A few minutes later, someone wanted his parking spot, so he drove down the alley, turned around, then drove back to the now vacant spot, and again shut off his engine. I called Tanya. No, she is not coming back. We convinced the guy to take us to the internot. Sasha and Nastiya were waiting, as we were about 30 minutes late. Lots of kids playing outside and hovering around. It looked like S and N were pretty happy to be whisked away in a taxi. We all went back to the hotel.
Sasha and Nastiya and Eileen worked on valentine cards for a while. We brought paper, lacy hearts, stickers, markers and glue. A great project for them. They loved making cards for teachers, friends and mystery people. Then we all went downtown for dinner. We wanted to go to a burger joint. We walked inside, but burgers were not being served. Humph. So we went back to good old Celentanos, the pizza place. We managed not to order too much even though we were hungry. Then to the market. We told the girls they could pick up one thing. Sasha went for big. Nastiya went for fish. That got Sasha’s attention. She wanted fish, too. She wanted a big fish wrapped in plastic. What do they do with this? Just dig in? Is it like sushi without cutting the fish into pieces? Do you just take a big bite out of it? This was supposed to be a snack. We told Sasha the big fish was out. She tried to find something else she wanted. This was taking far too long. Finally she found a bag of dried fish pieces, sort of like beef jerky. All I can say is, Yuck. Then I told the girls they could have ice cream. Another flurry of trying to find first, something huge, then second, something cool. We finally made it out of the store.
We caught a non-crowded bus back to the hotel. The girls ate their ice cream, giggling and teasing each other. Ah, after cokes with dinner, maybe this was just a little too much sugar? I walked with them back to the internot. I walked to the big supermarket and got some more items. Maybe we can keep ahead of the need for instant soups! Shopping is fun. Then I walked back to the hotel. Walking is fun. By this time, it was foggy and drizzling. It was easy to imagine that I was not in Ukraine, but in Yellowstone National Park. It was cold, wet, dark; perfect camping weather. It must be perfect, since that is quite often the weather we get when we go camping. I had heard that December was the warmest month in Ukraine in hundreds of years. Well, now we are here, and now the weather is perfect.
Another new breakfast. Something served on a piece of bread. Cheese, maybe, or salad dressing. Served by Kate, Katiya, the waitress that can speak some English. She always smiles. I like her.
In the morning, Eileen and I went downtown to get some money exchanged. Hopped on the trolley, and almost fell down as it started. Eileen may have bopped the ticket lady. She gave us the evil eye the rest of the trip.
Found a bank with a good exchange rate. Depending on the size of your town, there are always many places that will exchange. You can do a little shopping around for the best deal. The bank we chose this morning was pretty small. You had to file in single file. While waiting our turn, the security officer showed Eileen a place to sit. He was obviously looking for a little conversation. After 4 weeks, I (Eileen) still don’t know how to say, “I don’t speak Russian.” He was amused. Meanwhile, one of my 100’s was rejected. It had a spot, and some slight scribbling on it. The security guard came over and tried to talk to us. Was it about the hundred? He was talking to the cashier, and both were laughing. Eileen got out the dictionary. The guard mimed that he needed glasses to read. We found the word: country. What country were we from? Finally got across that it was America. “Colorado,” Eileen said to further amuse and confuse the man. As we left, he patted me on the back, reassuringly. I like that bank.
We did some shopping, then hopped back on the trolley. It was the most crowded I have ever seen it. It was the kind of squishing Felix told us about, where you wonder about the ethical place to keep your hands (not that you get to move them). People kept jumping on. Reminded me of a Weird Al song, “Another One Rides the Bus”: I think I’m missin’ a contact lens, I think my wallet’s gone, and I think this bus is stoppin’ again to let a couple more freaks get on. It sounded like the ticket lady (the same one Eileen bopped earlier) was shouting at people that they should take a taxi. She shoved her way past people, and I was able to pay her. We were lucky to get off at our stop.
Tanya came over, starved. She may be staying at friends, things may be rough between her and Igor. She ate most of the food we had. I read my mail. Found out I needed to fax some things back to the US. We ran downtown to the Post Office. Successfully faxed a document. Ran to the printer store, also a photo shop of sorts. Printed a document and signed it. Tanya produced a tiny photo of her mom. Could they blow it up a little? How much? One dollar. It would cost more at home. Like 10 times more. Sure, let’s get three copies. One for each girl. Ran back to the Post Office. Faxed another document. We were slow about our business and a line was forming. A lady came in with a little dog, yes, in a red jumpsuit. No leash, mind you. The little fellow wandered around but never went more than 8 feet from his lady. Judging from the food in the markets, I think this is mostly the cat-for-pets part of town. The apartments are too small. It’s hard to say for sure, however. How many of those street dogs are really following someone they know?
Tanya helped us find a taxi that dropped her off at her house, but then the taxi guy shut off the engine. What’s going on? A few minutes later, someone wanted his parking spot, so he drove down the alley, turned around, then drove back to the now vacant spot, and again shut off his engine. I called Tanya. No, she is not coming back. We convinced the guy to take us to the internot. Sasha and Nastiya were waiting, as we were about 30 minutes late. Lots of kids playing outside and hovering around. It looked like S and N were pretty happy to be whisked away in a taxi. We all went back to the hotel.
Sasha and Nastiya and Eileen worked on valentine cards for a while. We brought paper, lacy hearts, stickers, markers and glue. A great project for them. They loved making cards for teachers, friends and mystery people. Then we all went downtown for dinner. We wanted to go to a burger joint. We walked inside, but burgers were not being served. Humph. So we went back to good old Celentanos, the pizza place. We managed not to order too much even though we were hungry. Then to the market. We told the girls they could pick up one thing. Sasha went for big. Nastiya went for fish. That got Sasha’s attention. She wanted fish, too. She wanted a big fish wrapped in plastic. What do they do with this? Just dig in? Is it like sushi without cutting the fish into pieces? Do you just take a big bite out of it? This was supposed to be a snack. We told Sasha the big fish was out. She tried to find something else she wanted. This was taking far too long. Finally she found a bag of dried fish pieces, sort of like beef jerky. All I can say is, Yuck. Then I told the girls they could have ice cream. Another flurry of trying to find first, something huge, then second, something cool. We finally made it out of the store.
We caught a non-crowded bus back to the hotel. The girls ate their ice cream, giggling and teasing each other. Ah, after cokes with dinner, maybe this was just a little too much sugar? I walked with them back to the internot. I walked to the big supermarket and got some more items. Maybe we can keep ahead of the need for instant soups! Shopping is fun. Then I walked back to the hotel. Walking is fun. By this time, it was foggy and drizzling. It was easy to imagine that I was not in Ukraine, but in Yellowstone National Park. It was cold, wet, dark; perfect camping weather. It must be perfect, since that is quite often the weather we get when we go camping. I had heard that December was the warmest month in Ukraine in hundreds of years. Well, now we are here, and now the weather is perfect.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Day 25
A Day of Firsts
Awake in the night. The first time I've heard a siren of some emergency vehicle downtown somewhere.
The first hotel breakfast I've served that I didn't like. It was an egg and meat omelet. I took a few bites and had to quit. It tasted fatty.
I planned on eating one of the many bags of instant oatmeal imported by our own loving hands, but didn't have much of an appetite.
Got a call from Olga. It's set. Court is Thursday and the girls will attend. Ah. I'm looking forward to it.
Tanya came by about a half hour early. She talked about family and how good it was that we were a big family. I think this is something she and Anya have been trying to communicate to Sasha. It seems to be at the crux of some wayward thinking on Sasha's part. Like we could choose to adopt individuals.
Off for a manicure. Tanya completely occupied one lady for 3 hours. I had no idea fake nails would take so long. I was going to just get some simple polish, but ended up requesting artwork reminiscent of the painted plates I had seen in souvenir shops in Kiev. It should compliment my outfit for Thursday's court. Okay, it's a little over the top for me, but a treat for a weary traveler, far from home. (I would never do this in Boulder, eh Wendy?) My fingernails are works of art!
Three hours and 50 painted fingernails later, we caught cabs for 'Absolut Cafe'. Not a chain, Anya says. Borshch, cabbage salad, chicken fried steak, cheese dumplings were consumed in a flurry. This is a clean cafe with lovely curtains, tile floors, TV, and lighting. A delightful ambiance. I catch a glimpse of a gray tail moving across the floor. Then a small gray cat jumps on one of the chairs at our table. A cat in a restaurant? That's a first! He came over to where I was sitting, and I stroked his soft back fur, then scratched his back. I think he was begging. I have a strict no-cats-in-the-lap rule while I'm eating. I scooted closer to the table. I tried not to think of my own beloved beasties at home.
We stepped out into early evening. The rain had turned to snow. Time to take the girls home.
We had dropped the girls off and turned onto the boulevard when the cabbie pulled over. He got out and went around to the back of the car and back in again. He sheepishly said something in Russian and got back out. We could walk to the hotel, and I told Rolan but I couldn't get out. The left back door was locked form the outside, and he was working on the rear right wheel where I was sitting. If I opened the door I would hit him in the head. The back hatch opened. Tools removed. Jack the car. A few minutes passed. It appeared he was moving quickly. Rolan got out and tried to explain that we could walk. The cabbie insisted that we stay put. Rolan got back in. OK. Front hood opened. What, the engine too? What kind of car is this? Unknown. A tire was removed from under the hood. A few more minutes. He was working as quickly as he could, I was sure. Changing a tire in the dark in the snow with people in your car cannot be a pleasant moment in the day of a taxi driver. Back hatch opened. Tools returned. Front hood came down. Car started. I should have timed him. "Bistra," (fast) I said. He laughed and smiled.
Awake in the night. The first time I've heard a siren of some emergency vehicle downtown somewhere.
The first hotel breakfast I've served that I didn't like. It was an egg and meat omelet. I took a few bites and had to quit. It tasted fatty.
I planned on eating one of the many bags of instant oatmeal imported by our own loving hands, but didn't have much of an appetite.
Got a call from Olga. It's set. Court is Thursday and the girls will attend. Ah. I'm looking forward to it.
Tanya came by about a half hour early. She talked about family and how good it was that we were a big family. I think this is something she and Anya have been trying to communicate to Sasha. It seems to be at the crux of some wayward thinking on Sasha's part. Like we could choose to adopt individuals.
Off for a manicure. Tanya completely occupied one lady for 3 hours. I had no idea fake nails would take so long. I was going to just get some simple polish, but ended up requesting artwork reminiscent of the painted plates I had seen in souvenir shops in Kiev. It should compliment my outfit for Thursday's court. Okay, it's a little over the top for me, but a treat for a weary traveler, far from home. (I would never do this in Boulder, eh Wendy?) My fingernails are works of art!
Three hours and 50 painted fingernails later, we caught cabs for 'Absolut Cafe'. Not a chain, Anya says. Borshch, cabbage salad, chicken fried steak, cheese dumplings were consumed in a flurry. This is a clean cafe with lovely curtains, tile floors, TV, and lighting. A delightful ambiance. I catch a glimpse of a gray tail moving across the floor. Then a small gray cat jumps on one of the chairs at our table. A cat in a restaurant? That's a first! He came over to where I was sitting, and I stroked his soft back fur, then scratched his back. I think he was begging. I have a strict no-cats-in-the-lap rule while I'm eating. I scooted closer to the table. I tried not to think of my own beloved beasties at home.
We stepped out into early evening. The rain had turned to snow. Time to take the girls home.
We had dropped the girls off and turned onto the boulevard when the cabbie pulled over. He got out and went around to the back of the car and back in again. He sheepishly said something in Russian and got back out. We could walk to the hotel, and I told Rolan but I couldn't get out. The left back door was locked form the outside, and he was working on the rear right wheel where I was sitting. If I opened the door I would hit him in the head. The back hatch opened. Tools removed. Jack the car. A few minutes passed. It appeared he was moving quickly. Rolan got out and tried to explain that we could walk. The cabbie insisted that we stay put. Rolan got back in. OK. Front hood opened. What, the engine too? What kind of car is this? Unknown. A tire was removed from under the hood. A few more minutes. He was working as quickly as he could, I was sure. Changing a tire in the dark in the snow with people in your car cannot be a pleasant moment in the day of a taxi driver. Back hatch opened. Tools returned. Front hood came down. Car started. I should have timed him. "Bistra," (fast) I said. He laughed and smiled.
Day 24
I don’t believe in omens, but if I did, the heavy rain in the morning would have been one.
I woke up feeling not-so-good, so after a breakfast of pancakes, I went back to bed and slept until 11:30. Then I tried a cup-of-noodles with a not-so-hard-boiled egg added. Cup of noodles (ramen) here is like cup of noodles in the US, but less salty. Eileen had an instant cup-of-soup, a classier version of the dried stuff at home, this one has a concentrated foil packet of wet ingredients. We have cleaned out the local market of their instant foods. Tanya came over, and I tried working for a while, but the power went off twice in 5 minutes. My laptop has a battery, but I have an external hard drive where most of my work is, and it does not like having power yanked away. Power is going up and down because work is being done on the hotel. Tanya let her feelings be known about the TV going off and on.
At 2:30, we three headed for the internot. The rain had stopped by now. The bus/trolley was slow in coming, so Tanya started walking. We took the walkway down the middle of the boulevard. It’s paving is not yet broken up, and it was dry. As we approached the internot, we saw a small crowd of people looking up the road. We looked, and saw a man lying on the road. A car was stopped a few yards in front of the guy. Had the car hit him? No, the driver had gotten out to help the man. He and another guy picked up the downed man, and tried to help him walk, but it looked like his legs would not hold him up. We were continuing on toward the internot. Sasha and Nastiya were waiting for us, and came running. We turned around to go to the clothing store. The crowd was gone, but as we walked past the site where the man was lying in the road, we saw him lying by the side of the road. Sasha indicated he was a drunk. He had a nice coat and hat on. Is this what happened to our girls’ mom? At some point she just gave up, and lay down by the road?
Not far to the clothing store. Direct transliteration of the store name: Fart. Oh, well. I’ve encountered this sound in German: ehr/sie/es fahrt. The store did not smell bad despite the name. We found some jeans and shirts and pajamas for the littler girls, socks and unmentionables, but only one pair of jeans for Sasha. While shopping, Tanya got a call that made her very agitated. Tears. Are you OK? Yes. I doubt it. We called a taxi, and rode into downtown. We found more jeans for Sasha. Tanya wanted some pajamas. Eileen said OK. Tanya wanted sexy pajamas. Sorry, no. What ? Why not? Our house gets cold at night and she needs something non-revealing to wear to the bathroom. (Eileen) I wish I could find a “granny” flannel gown just to tease her. We find a shop that sells pajamas that we would consider to be ok: full length terry with cats on the front. Kind of childish, but not too much. Tanya acted like it was an oversized burlap bag with holes for arms and feet. Then we found something a little more shapely but still warm. She was OK with that, after considering the burlap bag.
I found some magnetic Cyrillic letters for the fridge at a little toy shop. Fun.
We went to the pizza place for early dinner. More words were spoken. Now Nastiya is crying. Now Sasha is crying. Tanya got out a napkin out and started wiping tears away from her own face. I badly needed a tape recorder, so I could find out what was being said. Tanya said this is “normalno”, which I thought meant OK, but maybe it means this is normal behavior. This is not normal in my book. Tanya headed home with her PJs.
The four of us walked out of the pizza place, and into the store next door. I think it was just a curiosity check. It had maps! It had a map of Slovyansk! Finally, we can get our bearings. It was wonderful! It was beautiful! Major victory! The store also had books geared toward teaching children to read. We must come back here. Next stop was the local market, another favorite place. We got pop and juice and instant meals. I thought we got shelled sunflower seeds. No such luck, shells still on. Then we caught the trolley back to the hotel.
The girls tried on their new clothes and I took pictures. We told the girls that the clothes are for travelling to the US, and they cannot wear them to the internot. More tears. I put on “Toy Story” to distract them. After 30 minutes, the clothes must come off. More tears. Sasha threatened to stay in Ukraine. This is not new behavior for her. Last summer when she stayed with us, she threatened to catch a plane back to Ukraine. Eventually, Sasha changed clothes, put on her coat, and sulked. Nastiya would not remove the clothes. Eileen and I had to do it for her. Hugs and kisses. Wish they could understand. I got some food in a bag for their dinner.
We caught the trolley back to the orphanage stop. No one was collecting money. That bothered me, but Sasha thought we got away with something. As we got close to the internot, Sasha wanted to divide the food between her and Nastiya. I think she wanted to do this before we are in sight of the other kids. I gave them both big hugs and kisses and tried hard to let them know how much I love them. I walked back down the boulevard. It was getting foggy and drizzling slightly.
For dinner we had instant meals. Eileen’s was a kasha meal, mine was a chicken soup. Mine had a large urinal cake of noodles at the bottom of the bowl. They both tasted good.
Was today a bad day? Is the honeymoon over? Being reminded of the challenges of parenting. Where will I find a Russian speaking therapist for the children? And what about Sylvia?
I woke up feeling not-so-good, so after a breakfast of pancakes, I went back to bed and slept until 11:30. Then I tried a cup-of-noodles with a not-so-hard-boiled egg added. Cup of noodles (ramen) here is like cup of noodles in the US, but less salty. Eileen had an instant cup-of-soup, a classier version of the dried stuff at home, this one has a concentrated foil packet of wet ingredients. We have cleaned out the local market of their instant foods. Tanya came over, and I tried working for a while, but the power went off twice in 5 minutes. My laptop has a battery, but I have an external hard drive where most of my work is, and it does not like having power yanked away. Power is going up and down because work is being done on the hotel. Tanya let her feelings be known about the TV going off and on.
At 2:30, we three headed for the internot. The rain had stopped by now. The bus/trolley was slow in coming, so Tanya started walking. We took the walkway down the middle of the boulevard. It’s paving is not yet broken up, and it was dry. As we approached the internot, we saw a small crowd of people looking up the road. We looked, and saw a man lying on the road. A car was stopped a few yards in front of the guy. Had the car hit him? No, the driver had gotten out to help the man. He and another guy picked up the downed man, and tried to help him walk, but it looked like his legs would not hold him up. We were continuing on toward the internot. Sasha and Nastiya were waiting for us, and came running. We turned around to go to the clothing store. The crowd was gone, but as we walked past the site where the man was lying in the road, we saw him lying by the side of the road. Sasha indicated he was a drunk. He had a nice coat and hat on. Is this what happened to our girls’ mom? At some point she just gave up, and lay down by the road?
Not far to the clothing store. Direct transliteration of the store name: Fart. Oh, well. I’ve encountered this sound in German: ehr/sie/es fahrt. The store did not smell bad despite the name. We found some jeans and shirts and pajamas for the littler girls, socks and unmentionables, but only one pair of jeans for Sasha. While shopping, Tanya got a call that made her very agitated. Tears. Are you OK? Yes. I doubt it. We called a taxi, and rode into downtown. We found more jeans for Sasha. Tanya wanted some pajamas. Eileen said OK. Tanya wanted sexy pajamas. Sorry, no. What ? Why not? Our house gets cold at night and she needs something non-revealing to wear to the bathroom. (Eileen) I wish I could find a “granny” flannel gown just to tease her. We find a shop that sells pajamas that we would consider to be ok: full length terry with cats on the front. Kind of childish, but not too much. Tanya acted like it was an oversized burlap bag with holes for arms and feet. Then we found something a little more shapely but still warm. She was OK with that, after considering the burlap bag.
I found some magnetic Cyrillic letters for the fridge at a little toy shop. Fun.
We went to the pizza place for early dinner. More words were spoken. Now Nastiya is crying. Now Sasha is crying. Tanya got out a napkin out and started wiping tears away from her own face. I badly needed a tape recorder, so I could find out what was being said. Tanya said this is “normalno”, which I thought meant OK, but maybe it means this is normal behavior. This is not normal in my book. Tanya headed home with her PJs.
The four of us walked out of the pizza place, and into the store next door. I think it was just a curiosity check. It had maps! It had a map of Slovyansk! Finally, we can get our bearings. It was wonderful! It was beautiful! Major victory! The store also had books geared toward teaching children to read. We must come back here. Next stop was the local market, another favorite place. We got pop and juice and instant meals. I thought we got shelled sunflower seeds. No such luck, shells still on. Then we caught the trolley back to the hotel.
The girls tried on their new clothes and I took pictures. We told the girls that the clothes are for travelling to the US, and they cannot wear them to the internot. More tears. I put on “Toy Story” to distract them. After 30 minutes, the clothes must come off. More tears. Sasha threatened to stay in Ukraine. This is not new behavior for her. Last summer when she stayed with us, she threatened to catch a plane back to Ukraine. Eventually, Sasha changed clothes, put on her coat, and sulked. Nastiya would not remove the clothes. Eileen and I had to do it for her. Hugs and kisses. Wish they could understand. I got some food in a bag for their dinner.
We caught the trolley back to the orphanage stop. No one was collecting money. That bothered me, but Sasha thought we got away with something. As we got close to the internot, Sasha wanted to divide the food between her and Nastiya. I think she wanted to do this before we are in sight of the other kids. I gave them both big hugs and kisses and tried hard to let them know how much I love them. I walked back down the boulevard. It was getting foggy and drizzling slightly.
For dinner we had instant meals. Eileen’s was a kasha meal, mine was a chicken soup. Mine had a large urinal cake of noodles at the bottom of the bowl. They both tasted good.
Was today a bad day? Is the honeymoon over? Being reminded of the challenges of parenting. Where will I find a Russian speaking therapist for the children? And what about Sylvia?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Day 23
Lunch with Igor’s mom.
We left a little early. We thought we would meet the small group at noon but Tanya called at 11:30 to say they were already at the restaurant. We hopped a bus and headed a few miles down the road to a favorite, “Chinook.” I thought maybe they had snatched the wonderful Indian word for the warm wind that blows in Colorado in the winter but it’s pronounced differently and means something like, “a bar.” No Igor, I think he had to work but Oksana was there, Tanya and Anya to help with conversation. The restaurant was empty. We found a place in a more private room. A fellow came in and turned on some lights and the TV in the corner of the room. Discovery Channel! A family favorite at home. At one point this channel selection became horribly unappetizing as we watched “Survivor Man” eat some poor innocent grub he found. I floundered. Uh, Plov? No it has to be called in ahead of time(I’ll get some yet, Felix). Chicken Kiev? A default but okay. I find it to be dry but edible. I recommended Ragu for Rolan as it’s a stew. Anya ordered her favorite, which was Greek salad.
We chatted about life in America. Then, I asked Oksana if she had always lived in Slavyansk. No, she is originally from Russia but came in ’82. They have one child, Igor. Tanya has been like a daughter. I thanked her for giving Tanya such loving advice. There are indeed many opportunities in America. Boulder especially. We are kind of education junkies in Boulder. We have colleges, trade schools, a University and even a cooking school. Does she let Tanya do all the cooking? I liked Oksana. She didn’t eat much. I don’t know if she was nervous or actually had eaten some before - hand as she said. I had made a soft blue scarf for her and gave Igor a little light that attaches to a key ring with extra batteries when the current ones burn out. A cool gadget. An hour and a half later, we bid farewell and headed for the internot.
Still a half of a block away, the girls came running to us. They must have been playing outside. I was glad. The world had melted and lay in impassable pools. Rolan was wearing his dress shoes so he could re-waterproof his boots. The mud was unforgiving. We stopped at the little market near the internot in search of water, tissues, or other needed things. They have the most delectable cakes. Nastia picked out a single serving chocolate one. I wanted one too. Sasha requested a sprite. Rolan grabbed 4 gallons of water (with convenient handle for carrying). Rolan had noticed earlier a single car width, paved road down the middle of the parkway in the middle of the boulevard. There were others walking on it and it looked drier and better attended then the sidewalk we had been using. Sure enough. It was an excellent way to go.
We fed the girls and played cards with them. Then we took a taxi back to the internot, and then to the supermarket. The taxi waited while we shopped. We are buying the girls “crabbie”, which looks like fake crab meat.
We left a little early. We thought we would meet the small group at noon but Tanya called at 11:30 to say they were already at the restaurant. We hopped a bus and headed a few miles down the road to a favorite, “Chinook.” I thought maybe they had snatched the wonderful Indian word for the warm wind that blows in Colorado in the winter but it’s pronounced differently and means something like, “a bar.” No Igor, I think he had to work but Oksana was there, Tanya and Anya to help with conversation. The restaurant was empty. We found a place in a more private room. A fellow came in and turned on some lights and the TV in the corner of the room. Discovery Channel! A family favorite at home. At one point this channel selection became horribly unappetizing as we watched “Survivor Man” eat some poor innocent grub he found. I floundered. Uh, Plov? No it has to be called in ahead of time(I’ll get some yet, Felix). Chicken Kiev? A default but okay. I find it to be dry but edible. I recommended Ragu for Rolan as it’s a stew. Anya ordered her favorite, which was Greek salad.
We chatted about life in America. Then, I asked Oksana if she had always lived in Slavyansk. No, she is originally from Russia but came in ’82. They have one child, Igor. Tanya has been like a daughter. I thanked her for giving Tanya such loving advice. There are indeed many opportunities in America. Boulder especially. We are kind of education junkies in Boulder. We have colleges, trade schools, a University and even a cooking school. Does she let Tanya do all the cooking? I liked Oksana. She didn’t eat much. I don’t know if she was nervous or actually had eaten some before - hand as she said. I had made a soft blue scarf for her and gave Igor a little light that attaches to a key ring with extra batteries when the current ones burn out. A cool gadget. An hour and a half later, we bid farewell and headed for the internot.
Still a half of a block away, the girls came running to us. They must have been playing outside. I was glad. The world had melted and lay in impassable pools. Rolan was wearing his dress shoes so he could re-waterproof his boots. The mud was unforgiving. We stopped at the little market near the internot in search of water, tissues, or other needed things. They have the most delectable cakes. Nastia picked out a single serving chocolate one. I wanted one too. Sasha requested a sprite. Rolan grabbed 4 gallons of water (with convenient handle for carrying). Rolan had noticed earlier a single car width, paved road down the middle of the parkway in the middle of the boulevard. There were others walking on it and it looked drier and better attended then the sidewalk we had been using. Sure enough. It was an excellent way to go.
We fed the girls and played cards with them. Then we took a taxi back to the internot, and then to the supermarket. The taxi waited while we shopped. We are buying the girls “crabbie”, which looks like fake crab meat.
Day 22
Keeping Herstories
Today, we had an agenda. After our usual morning routine, we hired a taxi, loaded girls and went on a photo shoot. Morning routine was not quite usual: I tried doing some laundry in the shower.
Our first stop was a hospital. With a little pre-arranged help from interpreter Anya, we told Tanya to instruct the driver to go to the building where the babies are delivered. This is the place where Sasha and Nastia first entered this world. Tanya was born in Donetsk. Ro took a few photos so the girls would always remember and be able to tell, and show, where they were born.
Then we drove through some back streets to where there were houses more than apartment buildings. There seems to be the land of apartments and the land of farmhouses and the land of houses, among other lands not necessary to mention here. (Man, I’m starting to sound like English is second language!)
Anyway, at Tanya’s command the taxi driver pulled over. It was a home in ruins. There was a great deal of large things cast around. Sasha and Nastia were under strict command not to get out of the car. Second stop was Grandma’s old house. It was close to where Grandma currently lives and Tanya didn’t want to attract Grandma’s attention. It is thought that Grandma is malevolent and not only doesn’t approve of the girls being adopted but believes they are better off just finishing their education by the 9th grade. We will not be visiting Grandma. We took photos of this ruin because Sasha and Nastia lived with Grandma for a while. Sasha said the house caught on fire not once but four times, with the two young girls inside. Let’s just say there were some issues here.
We stopped briefly at the flower market. This is across from the trolley/bus stop. It has helped me more than once to get my bearing when we were lost or had gotten turned around. I will always notice the flowers! Until this trip, I always thought I had a good sense of direction, but golly gee, I also realized I have lived by tall mountains all my life so I was never really tested!
Flower market. The girls picked three red roses and the seller curled ribbon around the stems. Then we set off for the cemetery. We kept driving and driving. I expected us to pull up to an area in the center of town or near the edge in a park like setting. We were completely out of town. We drove past some larger homes and some with large gardens out back. Then, just as we were running out of road, we passed a small airport and look a left. I saw gravestones. Some were made of metal, oddly, and other materials. All had photos of the dearly departed. Some, as with American cemeteries, were well tended and others had been neglected. We drove another mile on rough muddy road. There were little tables and benches in some plots. Trees had been planted. The snow was just about melted out here, revealing trash and weeds. Even further in the cemetery. I think we discovered the “forest lawn” of Slavyansk. This part of the cemetery was about 30 yards wide and kept on going.
Finally, the driver was instructed to pull over. These were fresher graves. That makes sense. The girls’ mother passed away only last May. The ground was hopelessly muddy. I made my way though a different route than Tanya, Sasha, Nastia and Rolan. I managed to stay mostly on tufts of crusty weeds. There it was, only marked by a wooden cross and the customary silk flowers and a cloth with a prayer (thanks De). The girls left their roses. I said thanks to the woman who gave birth to these lovely girls. I promised to take care of them. (Rolan) I can understand where stories of zombies come from. The ground over the bodies rises quite high. The wet snow and rain makes the ground very soft. When your foot gets stuck in the mud, it is easy to imagine something horrible is reaching up from the grave to getcha!
We spent 10 minutes trying to clean our boots on the little snow we could find so we wouldn’t bring the cemetery back into the taxi and the hotel. Our trip back into town was quiet. Not a word spoken.
The girls played in the room, battled with balloons, even Tanya. Then we went into town to eat at the café “Absolut”. For some reason, we were turned away. It may have been booked. So we went back to the pizza place. We are tired of that place, and are looking for anything else. We have found a couple of burger joints we need to try. We walked to the town square market and picked up some food. Then a bus back to the hotel, and an expensive taxi round trip to the internot. Tanya came over, ate some food, watched some TV, and made a Valentine. We are hyping Valentine’s day. Tanya got tired, and went home. We watched BBC for a while, and crashed.
Today, we had an agenda. After our usual morning routine, we hired a taxi, loaded girls and went on a photo shoot. Morning routine was not quite usual: I tried doing some laundry in the shower.
Our first stop was a hospital. With a little pre-arranged help from interpreter Anya, we told Tanya to instruct the driver to go to the building where the babies are delivered. This is the place where Sasha and Nastia first entered this world. Tanya was born in Donetsk. Ro took a few photos so the girls would always remember and be able to tell, and show, where they were born.
Then we drove through some back streets to where there were houses more than apartment buildings. There seems to be the land of apartments and the land of farmhouses and the land of houses, among other lands not necessary to mention here. (Man, I’m starting to sound like English is second language!)
Anyway, at Tanya’s command the taxi driver pulled over. It was a home in ruins. There was a great deal of large things cast around. Sasha and Nastia were under strict command not to get out of the car. Second stop was Grandma’s old house. It was close to where Grandma currently lives and Tanya didn’t want to attract Grandma’s attention. It is thought that Grandma is malevolent and not only doesn’t approve of the girls being adopted but believes they are better off just finishing their education by the 9th grade. We will not be visiting Grandma. We took photos of this ruin because Sasha and Nastia lived with Grandma for a while. Sasha said the house caught on fire not once but four times, with the two young girls inside. Let’s just say there were some issues here.
We stopped briefly at the flower market. This is across from the trolley/bus stop. It has helped me more than once to get my bearing when we were lost or had gotten turned around. I will always notice the flowers! Until this trip, I always thought I had a good sense of direction, but golly gee, I also realized I have lived by tall mountains all my life so I was never really tested!
Flower market. The girls picked three red roses and the seller curled ribbon around the stems. Then we set off for the cemetery. We kept driving and driving. I expected us to pull up to an area in the center of town or near the edge in a park like setting. We were completely out of town. We drove past some larger homes and some with large gardens out back. Then, just as we were running out of road, we passed a small airport and look a left. I saw gravestones. Some were made of metal, oddly, and other materials. All had photos of the dearly departed. Some, as with American cemeteries, were well tended and others had been neglected. We drove another mile on rough muddy road. There were little tables and benches in some plots. Trees had been planted. The snow was just about melted out here, revealing trash and weeds. Even further in the cemetery. I think we discovered the “forest lawn” of Slavyansk. This part of the cemetery was about 30 yards wide and kept on going.
Finally, the driver was instructed to pull over. These were fresher graves. That makes sense. The girls’ mother passed away only last May. The ground was hopelessly muddy. I made my way though a different route than Tanya, Sasha, Nastia and Rolan. I managed to stay mostly on tufts of crusty weeds. There it was, only marked by a wooden cross and the customary silk flowers and a cloth with a prayer (thanks De). The girls left their roses. I said thanks to the woman who gave birth to these lovely girls. I promised to take care of them. (Rolan) I can understand where stories of zombies come from. The ground over the bodies rises quite high. The wet snow and rain makes the ground very soft. When your foot gets stuck in the mud, it is easy to imagine something horrible is reaching up from the grave to getcha!
We spent 10 minutes trying to clean our boots on the little snow we could find so we wouldn’t bring the cemetery back into the taxi and the hotel. Our trip back into town was quiet. Not a word spoken.
The girls played in the room, battled with balloons, even Tanya. Then we went into town to eat at the café “Absolut”. For some reason, we were turned away. It may have been booked. So we went back to the pizza place. We are tired of that place, and are looking for anything else. We have found a couple of burger joints we need to try. We walked to the town square market and picked up some food. Then a bus back to the hotel, and an expensive taxi round trip to the internot. Tanya came over, ate some food, watched some TV, and made a Valentine. We are hyping Valentine’s day. Tanya got tired, and went home. We watched BBC for a while, and crashed.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Day 21
Back to Slow
Typical morning. Pancakes and yogurt for breakfast.
I decided to do laundry. I washed some T-shirts in the shower. It took all day for them to dry. Are they clean?
Tanya came to the hotel. She told us that today is Igor's mother's name day. Tanya wanted money to buy a gift for her. Eileen gave her a "little plant flower thing" and a little makeup to give to mother-in-law instead. These were gifts brought from the US to be given away. Tanya wanted money to go out dancing with friends, to celebrate a teacher. Five dollars goes a long way here.
I was able to work for 4 hours. Finally a block of uninterrupted time. I got to play some Tom Waits while Eileen napped. Great stuff. Some of it applies. "No one speaks English, and everything's broken." Tom, I hear you there.
We got the girls at 2:30. The room was being cleaned when we got back from the internot, so we waited in the restaurant. The daughter (10 years old?) of one of the hotel owners came in, and started coloring at one of the tables. Sasha, very outgoing, invited herself and started coloring too. Soon we all moved upstairs to a better lighted table. I got a coloring book and some markers from our room, so we could share. After a while, we retired to our room, and Sasha played outside with her new friend for a while.
When Sasha came in, we fed Sasha and Nastiya apples, bananas, soup, cheese, bread, juice. Then they played with Paint on my computer, taking turns. I got out Uno, and we played that for a while. We got out balloons. Long skinny balloons. That was a big hit. We made some butterfly wings, and "hats", and things to wear on the wrist. It was fun to watch them model their balloon apparel in front of the mirror.
We ate at the hotel restaurant, a very light meal. Chicken for the girls, "greek" salad for Eileen. Then we had cake and ice cream for dessert. Sasha is always running to take charge. She calls the waitress over, makes some orders. She calls the waitress over, asks for the bill. She goes to the front desk, and calls a taxi. She jumps in the taxi, gives directions. It is common for kids in a chaotic household to try to impose control. It's helpful right now, but in Colorado it's going to be tough since the customs are different.
We had a couple of eggs that had cracks, so making hard boiled eggs was questionable. We took them to the clerk, and tried to indicate that we wanted them cooked for breakfast tomorrow. The last time we tried to indicate eggs and tea, we got bilinnis and coffee. I wonder what we will get tomorrow.
Typical morning. Pancakes and yogurt for breakfast.
I decided to do laundry. I washed some T-shirts in the shower. It took all day for them to dry. Are they clean?
Tanya came to the hotel. She told us that today is Igor's mother's name day. Tanya wanted money to buy a gift for her. Eileen gave her a "little plant flower thing" and a little makeup to give to mother-in-law instead. These were gifts brought from the US to be given away. Tanya wanted money to go out dancing with friends, to celebrate a teacher. Five dollars goes a long way here.
I was able to work for 4 hours. Finally a block of uninterrupted time. I got to play some Tom Waits while Eileen napped. Great stuff. Some of it applies. "No one speaks English, and everything's broken." Tom, I hear you there.
We got the girls at 2:30. The room was being cleaned when we got back from the internot, so we waited in the restaurant. The daughter (10 years old?) of one of the hotel owners came in, and started coloring at one of the tables. Sasha, very outgoing, invited herself and started coloring too. Soon we all moved upstairs to a better lighted table. I got a coloring book and some markers from our room, so we could share. After a while, we retired to our room, and Sasha played outside with her new friend for a while.
When Sasha came in, we fed Sasha and Nastiya apples, bananas, soup, cheese, bread, juice. Then they played with Paint on my computer, taking turns. I got out Uno, and we played that for a while. We got out balloons. Long skinny balloons. That was a big hit. We made some butterfly wings, and "hats", and things to wear on the wrist. It was fun to watch them model their balloon apparel in front of the mirror.
We ate at the hotel restaurant, a very light meal. Chicken for the girls, "greek" salad for Eileen. Then we had cake and ice cream for dessert. Sasha is always running to take charge. She calls the waitress over, makes some orders. She calls the waitress over, asks for the bill. She goes to the front desk, and calls a taxi. She jumps in the taxi, gives directions. It is common for kids in a chaotic household to try to impose control. It's helpful right now, but in Colorado it's going to be tough since the customs are different.
We had a couple of eggs that had cracks, so making hard boiled eggs was questionable. We took them to the clerk, and tried to indicate that we wanted them cooked for breakfast tomorrow. The last time we tried to indicate eggs and tea, we got bilinnis and coffee. I wonder what we will get tomorrow.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Day 20
The day the world melted.
Woke tired and took a nap after breakfast. It was helpful to remember we are on vacation.
English teacher Anya called from school around noon to tell us the girls have a concert at 4pm and could we come and pick them up soon for the day?
Oh, all right. We will cancel the committee meetings, the important conference calls and lunch with the president to see our little darlings!
Still in our sleepy stupor, we gathered ourselves together and crossed the street to catch the trolley. It had been raining all morning. The outside world was a sopping mess! I wanted to flag down the trolley and yet not get too close to the street to get sprayed with the small lake of water in front of us. The 6 inches of snow was being quickly removed by a slight to moderate rain.
The trolley saw us and stopped but it was in vain. It was packed to the gills. The doors opened but I don’t know how. There wasn’t room for another single skinny body. Okay, head cold and laziness aside, we will walk the half mile to the internot. Rolan’s boots weren’t as waterproof as we hoped but they were never intended to forge the rivulets we crossed on our way. Surely they must sell waterproof here in Slavyansk somewhere. How do you say “Mink Oil” in Russian?
Tanya met us in the school foyer. There is such a beautiful mural in the entry to their school of a small house in a wood with a creek running next to it. We were waiting for the girls and watching people bring stuff in for the concert which we quickly learned was actually a circus. Nastia’s class came out with the teacher and the director’s wonderful assistant, Illiona. The class sort of clustered around us and asked questions in English. “What is your name?” “My name is Freya.” I started to point to the individual children and asked them their names. I felt their excitement as they discovered they could communicate with someone else in another language. When the game started to get old, the teacher lined the children up and we left in a taxi for the clothing store.
I was hoping for something larger than what we found. The biggest one store we have seen here so far, is the market on the edge of town that is just a bit bigger than a regular Seven-Eleven. Other stores are tiny stores inside a bigger building. This one was self contained but was two rooms about 10x10 with children’s clothing. Again, priced quite high.
The clerk picked out two coats. Both a practical down to keep the girls warm on the coldest day. Nastia’s is a dark, purple-gray color and Sasha’s a blatant gold. I keep teasing Nastia now, asking her if she is cold.
Oh, because we are using this satellite internet, it’s always available to us but very slow going downloading photos so we are just putting them into our photo album. Click the icon on the left side of our blog ‘Picasa’. Please keep commenting but we will have to wait for a better connection to read them! Thank you.
After our coat purchase we went to a little café that caught the girls eyes but hasn’t been open at the right time. Café Sokol. We were the only ones there. Lunch took awhile anyway but everything was delicious. It was a nice change from our pizza place. I discovered a hamburger hangout that we should try too. Okay! Alright! Yes, I miss hamburgers! I can see why many of our dear fellow travelers to this country resort to the likes of McDonalds. We are just lucky Slavyansk doesn’t have one. I stopped short of buying a hamburger a few days ago at the super market. It was a fully cooked patty with bun, cheese and pickle sitting cold behind a deli glass. I just couldn’t do it.
Anyway, lunch done, we caught a cab back up to the hotel for fresh camera batteries and up to the internot for the circus. We were ushered into Nastia’s class already in session. They were reciting something but stopped for a quick English lesson. We sat in the back. Nastia showed she could count to 20 (that’s my girl!). They recited the months and the greeting we heard earlier in the school foyer.
Over all, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the classrooms and general upkeep of the internot. The buildings remind me of old inner-city high schools. The rooms are vacant of most furniture. The floors are clean as are the walls. No peeling paint or broken glass. I noticed new lacy curtains on all the windows and plants on all the window sills. The buildings are not any worse off than many of the buildings in town. The school and internot are detached. They are each 4 or 5 stories high and the stairs, though made of stone or cement, are chipped and worn where thousands of feet have given them cause for repair. The rebar shows but not yet a danger. Nastia’s classroom had a comfortable feel. I liked it. Everyone we see obviously cares deeply for the children and gives them positive attention. When we rose to join the kids for the circus in the school auditorium, several girls were fighting to hold my hands. I asked Sasha and Nastia if they could share their Mom for the day. They were fine with that. We ascended several flights. The auditorium wasn’t large but it was big enough. It was colorfully decorated with hand-made flags strung across the ceiling. The children sang to recorded music as they waited for each class to arrive and be seated. The girls on either side of me snuggled close.
The curtains opened. There in the middle of the stage was one of the oldest men I had seen yet in Slavyansk. He looked to me to be about 70 if not more. He was slender with long, shoulder-length hair. He became animated talking and joking with the kids. There were several things on stage all intended to be used for magic tricks. I recognized some of his magic tricks as stuff my brothers did in Boy Scouts but there was one thing he did that was amazing to me. He balanced himself on his head. First on a single hand moving his legs in the air like a true gymnast, then sticking his head in a padded cup, he did the same without hands. The kids were thrilled and entertained the entire 40 minutes. What a great gift.
The teacher said we could keep the girls until 8 this evening. It’s hard to feed the girls with access to just the hotel room. Sasha and Rolan were sent to the market. Ukraine has some great cup-a-soups, cheese, butter. We will have to be careful not to try and feed them real meals here. Rolan and I aren’t eating that well. They will probably get better meals at the internot but one evening won’t hurt them.
Nastia asked me if she could take a shower. After a few minutes I went in to see if she needed help and discovered she was washing plastic cups and plates. Okay. In her hand I noticed some paper but she was trying to hide it from me. It was toilet paper. She had rolled it off the existing roll. “Please,” Nastia said. I got down on her level and told her she didn’t need to be afraid to ask me for the things she needs. The brief glimpse I got of the orphanage bathroom made me wonder where the girls get paper. This was another moment I had to hide my tear filled eyes.
We’ll put toilet paper on the shopping list.
(Rolan)
It is heartbreaking to see the little kids at the internot. One girl whom I have played with before, Dasha I think, grabbed my hand as we walked through the halls. I squeezed her hand, she squeezed mine. She sat by me during the circus. A small boy sat on my other side. During the circus, I made sure I touched them, and let them know they are loveable. Some of the older kids become sarcastic, unpleasant, teens. But other older kids are just like the younger ones. They badly want a family, and they would work very hard to fit in. Of course, this call goes out to others who care as much as we do. But if you can possibly do it, rescue some children. Make a difference to a few.
Woke tired and took a nap after breakfast. It was helpful to remember we are on vacation.
English teacher Anya called from school around noon to tell us the girls have a concert at 4pm and could we come and pick them up soon for the day?
Oh, all right. We will cancel the committee meetings, the important conference calls and lunch with the president to see our little darlings!
Still in our sleepy stupor, we gathered ourselves together and crossed the street to catch the trolley. It had been raining all morning. The outside world was a sopping mess! I wanted to flag down the trolley and yet not get too close to the street to get sprayed with the small lake of water in front of us. The 6 inches of snow was being quickly removed by a slight to moderate rain.
The trolley saw us and stopped but it was in vain. It was packed to the gills. The doors opened but I don’t know how. There wasn’t room for another single skinny body. Okay, head cold and laziness aside, we will walk the half mile to the internot. Rolan’s boots weren’t as waterproof as we hoped but they were never intended to forge the rivulets we crossed on our way. Surely they must sell waterproof here in Slavyansk somewhere. How do you say “Mink Oil” in Russian?
Tanya met us in the school foyer. There is such a beautiful mural in the entry to their school of a small house in a wood with a creek running next to it. We were waiting for the girls and watching people bring stuff in for the concert which we quickly learned was actually a circus. Nastia’s class came out with the teacher and the director’s wonderful assistant, Illiona. The class sort of clustered around us and asked questions in English. “What is your name?” “My name is Freya.” I started to point to the individual children and asked them their names. I felt their excitement as they discovered they could communicate with someone else in another language. When the game started to get old, the teacher lined the children up and we left in a taxi for the clothing store.
I was hoping for something larger than what we found. The biggest one store we have seen here so far, is the market on the edge of town that is just a bit bigger than a regular Seven-Eleven. Other stores are tiny stores inside a bigger building. This one was self contained but was two rooms about 10x10 with children’s clothing. Again, priced quite high.
The clerk picked out two coats. Both a practical down to keep the girls warm on the coldest day. Nastia’s is a dark, purple-gray color and Sasha’s a blatant gold. I keep teasing Nastia now, asking her if she is cold.
Oh, because we are using this satellite internet, it’s always available to us but very slow going downloading photos so we are just putting them into our photo album. Click the icon on the left side of our blog ‘Picasa’. Please keep commenting but we will have to wait for a better connection to read them! Thank you.
After our coat purchase we went to a little café that caught the girls eyes but hasn’t been open at the right time. Café Sokol. We were the only ones there. Lunch took awhile anyway but everything was delicious. It was a nice change from our pizza place. I discovered a hamburger hangout that we should try too. Okay! Alright! Yes, I miss hamburgers! I can see why many of our dear fellow travelers to this country resort to the likes of McDonalds. We are just lucky Slavyansk doesn’t have one. I stopped short of buying a hamburger a few days ago at the super market. It was a fully cooked patty with bun, cheese and pickle sitting cold behind a deli glass. I just couldn’t do it.
Anyway, lunch done, we caught a cab back up to the hotel for fresh camera batteries and up to the internot for the circus. We were ushered into Nastia’s class already in session. They were reciting something but stopped for a quick English lesson. We sat in the back. Nastia showed she could count to 20 (that’s my girl!). They recited the months and the greeting we heard earlier in the school foyer.
Over all, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the classrooms and general upkeep of the internot. The buildings remind me of old inner-city high schools. The rooms are vacant of most furniture. The floors are clean as are the walls. No peeling paint or broken glass. I noticed new lacy curtains on all the windows and plants on all the window sills. The buildings are not any worse off than many of the buildings in town. The school and internot are detached. They are each 4 or 5 stories high and the stairs, though made of stone or cement, are chipped and worn where thousands of feet have given them cause for repair. The rebar shows but not yet a danger. Nastia’s classroom had a comfortable feel. I liked it. Everyone we see obviously cares deeply for the children and gives them positive attention. When we rose to join the kids for the circus in the school auditorium, several girls were fighting to hold my hands. I asked Sasha and Nastia if they could share their Mom for the day. They were fine with that. We ascended several flights. The auditorium wasn’t large but it was big enough. It was colorfully decorated with hand-made flags strung across the ceiling. The children sang to recorded music as they waited for each class to arrive and be seated. The girls on either side of me snuggled close.
The curtains opened. There in the middle of the stage was one of the oldest men I had seen yet in Slavyansk. He looked to me to be about 70 if not more. He was slender with long, shoulder-length hair. He became animated talking and joking with the kids. There were several things on stage all intended to be used for magic tricks. I recognized some of his magic tricks as stuff my brothers did in Boy Scouts but there was one thing he did that was amazing to me. He balanced himself on his head. First on a single hand moving his legs in the air like a true gymnast, then sticking his head in a padded cup, he did the same without hands. The kids were thrilled and entertained the entire 40 minutes. What a great gift.
The teacher said we could keep the girls until 8 this evening. It’s hard to feed the girls with access to just the hotel room. Sasha and Rolan were sent to the market. Ukraine has some great cup-a-soups, cheese, butter. We will have to be careful not to try and feed them real meals here. Rolan and I aren’t eating that well. They will probably get better meals at the internot but one evening won’t hurt them.
Nastia asked me if she could take a shower. After a few minutes I went in to see if she needed help and discovered she was washing plastic cups and plates. Okay. In her hand I noticed some paper but she was trying to hide it from me. It was toilet paper. She had rolled it off the existing roll. “Please,” Nastia said. I got down on her level and told her she didn’t need to be afraid to ask me for the things she needs. The brief glimpse I got of the orphanage bathroom made me wonder where the girls get paper. This was another moment I had to hide my tear filled eyes.
We’ll put toilet paper on the shopping list.
(Rolan)
It is heartbreaking to see the little kids at the internot. One girl whom I have played with before, Dasha I think, grabbed my hand as we walked through the halls. I squeezed her hand, she squeezed mine. She sat by me during the circus. A small boy sat on my other side. During the circus, I made sure I touched them, and let them know they are loveable. Some of the older kids become sarcastic, unpleasant, teens. But other older kids are just like the younger ones. They badly want a family, and they would work very hard to fit in. Of course, this call goes out to others who care as much as we do. But if you can possibly do it, rescue some children. Make a difference to a few.
Day 19
A Voice in the Wilderness
Olga called. The SDA rejected a paper and we would need to do it over again. When the girls signed their release forms, the social worker, not the orphanage director was to sign it too. We would go to the social worker and have Sasha and Nastia write a new one. The social worker would sign it, stamp it. And then we would give it to Tanya who would take it to the train station. The papers would take the evening train to Kiev and all would be well.
Full blown head cold. Taking drastic defensive action.
Other than that, I’m kind of enjoying this whole Ukrainian experience.
It’s like camping. Only we have a working bathroom and satellite internet. Okay, no stove (that would be awesome) and the natives don’t speak our language. But NOW . . .ta da! We asked clerk Svetlana this eve how to use the satellite TV. She came in and did some button pushing. We now have BBC! The first news of America we’ve had in almost three weeks is the Steelers win the Super Bowl. I could have lived without that knowledge but, hey I’ll take it.
We hope to buy new coats for the girls tomorrow. Tanya can wait till we get stateside but we will have to buy coats for Sasha and Nastia before we leave anyway. We can’t take the orphanage coats. Nastia has been wearing nothing more than oversized, lined raincoats. The child has zero body fat so every time we go out, she freezes. Because she’s so small, she’s at the lowest end of the sizes for her orphanage. All the very little kids are at another orphanage. It’s been around freezing here the entire time. My down has been perfect. Hope we can find something good and warm.
Little self discoveries: “There is always room to grow.”
• One discovers how long one can really wear a shirt before it needs washing.
• When you’re wearing long johns, you can’t feel yesterday’s sock that got stuck in your pant leg and is now creating a lump by your calf, apparent to everyone but you.
• You become snippier than usual when the bus takes you past your stop for the third time that evening.
• You will go to amazing lengths to get said bus to stop. Knocking on the window, yelling “Stop pajolsta!”
• A little girl who has just returned from the beauty parlor with a head full of curls draws a great deal of attention!
• Miming a chicken is funny no matter what country you’re in.
• Pringles taste good when you are snack deprived.
• When you have to purchase all your drinking water, it goes fast.
Olga called. The SDA rejected a paper and we would need to do it over again. When the girls signed their release forms, the social worker, not the orphanage director was to sign it too. We would go to the social worker and have Sasha and Nastia write a new one. The social worker would sign it, stamp it. And then we would give it to Tanya who would take it to the train station. The papers would take the evening train to Kiev and all would be well.
Full blown head cold. Taking drastic defensive action.
Other than that, I’m kind of enjoying this whole Ukrainian experience.
It’s like camping. Only we have a working bathroom and satellite internet. Okay, no stove (that would be awesome) and the natives don’t speak our language. But NOW . . .ta da! We asked clerk Svetlana this eve how to use the satellite TV. She came in and did some button pushing. We now have BBC! The first news of America we’ve had in almost three weeks is the Steelers win the Super Bowl. I could have lived without that knowledge but, hey I’ll take it.
We hope to buy new coats for the girls tomorrow. Tanya can wait till we get stateside but we will have to buy coats for Sasha and Nastia before we leave anyway. We can’t take the orphanage coats. Nastia has been wearing nothing more than oversized, lined raincoats. The child has zero body fat so every time we go out, she freezes. Because she’s so small, she’s at the lowest end of the sizes for her orphanage. All the very little kids are at another orphanage. It’s been around freezing here the entire time. My down has been perfect. Hope we can find something good and warm.
Little self discoveries: “There is always room to grow.”
• One discovers how long one can really wear a shirt before it needs washing.
• When you’re wearing long johns, you can’t feel yesterday’s sock that got stuck in your pant leg and is now creating a lump by your calf, apparent to everyone but you.
• You become snippier than usual when the bus takes you past your stop for the third time that evening.
• You will go to amazing lengths to get said bus to stop. Knocking on the window, yelling “Stop pajolsta!”
• A little girl who has just returned from the beauty parlor with a head full of curls draws a great deal of attention!
• Miming a chicken is funny no matter what country you’re in.
• Pringles taste good when you are snack deprived.
• When you have to purchase all your drinking water, it goes fast.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Day 18
Beauties and the Beast
Bilinnis (crepes) for breakfast.
Found out we are not at the mercy of the whim of the cook but could actually request pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, or breadcrumb concoction.
Getting Nastia’s cold. Throat feels ‘fuzzy.’ Glad I brought drugs and tissues.
After breakfast, we wanted to pay for several nights of hotel stay. Let’s take that new visa out for a test drive. The clerk swiped the card. Several times. Canceled transaction several times. Called someone. Ran the card once for each day. It took a good bit of time but our persistence paid off. You must be firm with these young cards.
Off to the notary! Olga told us yesterday that this notary needed to be convinced to take our case. She didn’t want to mess with the extra paperwork international adoptions require. At times I noticed she looked unsure of what she was doing. That done, we took a cab back to the hotel. Olga needed to stop at the girls’ school, Tanya’s trade school, then somewhere else. We could just veg at the hotel.
We had lunch and I napped. Then we attempted doing some laundry in the little sink in the bathroom. We decided that we’ll have to send out to have pants and shirts done, too big for our ‘washer.’ The bungees, clothes pins and universal sink stopper are finally getting a workout. I washed a few things in the sink and then handed them to Rolan to rinse in the shower. It’s kind of hard to get all the soap out. We’ll see.
Went up to get the girls at 2 but it’s an awkward time. Everyone is moving around. Nastia was still messing around at school and Sasha was in line for snack time. Kids turn and look and say, “Good morning,” even if its afternoon, or “Hello.” It must be nice to finally use the English you are learning in class.
Whisked our girls away. The sun is out. It’s not so cold. We will meet Tanya at the inevitable pizza place and then catch a cab for the hair dresser. I had my ever tasty Greek salad. The girls had desserts. Chomping at the bit, we left early.
I’m sure we are experiencing the girl’s first professional cut.
There was one hairdresser on duty. Tanya was first. The hair cutter took half an hour. She gave Tanya quite the jazzy do. Then Sasha, who just wanted a little cleaning up of the bangs and ends. By then Anya had arrived. Curls were requested. At first I thought Sasha wanted a perm. No, no, just a curling iron. Oh, sure! Then my turn. The beautician was very gentle with my fine hair. She took her time to do a good job. She blow dried it somewhat straight. A funny contrast to Sasha’s head of curls. I started to worry about the price. All of us took the hairdresser 2 hours but it only cost a total of $20! “I’m moving to Ukraine!” I told Anya.
Olga called. She was on her way back to Kiev. She wanted to let us know, the judge set a date. Wednesday the 11th at 2pm! Finally. Ro was bummed. He wanted Monday. After the court date there is a 10 day waiting period to allow long lost relatives one final opportunity to step forward and claim their young relatives. Because our court date is on Wednesday, we add an additional day or two because the end of the 10 day wait falls on a weekend. It delays the process a little bit but it isn’t a disaster. The waiting continues with a concrete goal.
Very cold this evening.
Hotel had power outages in the morning. Work is being done on the entrance, which is in the back, for tourist season. Rustic wood handrails. Due to the weather, the front tiled brick area is a sheet of ice. There must not be lawsuits for this kind of thing. Yet.
We saw another devastatingly cute little girl at the orphanage. Maybe 6 years old. Exactly the kind of child that got us into this story.
Bilinnis (crepes) for breakfast.
Found out we are not at the mercy of the whim of the cook but could actually request pancakes, eggs, oatmeal, or breadcrumb concoction.
Getting Nastia’s cold. Throat feels ‘fuzzy.’ Glad I brought drugs and tissues.
After breakfast, we wanted to pay for several nights of hotel stay. Let’s take that new visa out for a test drive. The clerk swiped the card. Several times. Canceled transaction several times. Called someone. Ran the card once for each day. It took a good bit of time but our persistence paid off. You must be firm with these young cards.
Off to the notary! Olga told us yesterday that this notary needed to be convinced to take our case. She didn’t want to mess with the extra paperwork international adoptions require. At times I noticed she looked unsure of what she was doing. That done, we took a cab back to the hotel. Olga needed to stop at the girls’ school, Tanya’s trade school, then somewhere else. We could just veg at the hotel.
We had lunch and I napped. Then we attempted doing some laundry in the little sink in the bathroom. We decided that we’ll have to send out to have pants and shirts done, too big for our ‘washer.’ The bungees, clothes pins and universal sink stopper are finally getting a workout. I washed a few things in the sink and then handed them to Rolan to rinse in the shower. It’s kind of hard to get all the soap out. We’ll see.
Went up to get the girls at 2 but it’s an awkward time. Everyone is moving around. Nastia was still messing around at school and Sasha was in line for snack time. Kids turn and look and say, “Good morning,” even if its afternoon, or “Hello.” It must be nice to finally use the English you are learning in class.
Whisked our girls away. The sun is out. It’s not so cold. We will meet Tanya at the inevitable pizza place and then catch a cab for the hair dresser. I had my ever tasty Greek salad. The girls had desserts. Chomping at the bit, we left early.
I’m sure we are experiencing the girl’s first professional cut.
There was one hairdresser on duty. Tanya was first. The hair cutter took half an hour. She gave Tanya quite the jazzy do. Then Sasha, who just wanted a little cleaning up of the bangs and ends. By then Anya had arrived. Curls were requested. At first I thought Sasha wanted a perm. No, no, just a curling iron. Oh, sure! Then my turn. The beautician was very gentle with my fine hair. She took her time to do a good job. She blow dried it somewhat straight. A funny contrast to Sasha’s head of curls. I started to worry about the price. All of us took the hairdresser 2 hours but it only cost a total of $20! “I’m moving to Ukraine!” I told Anya.
Olga called. She was on her way back to Kiev. She wanted to let us know, the judge set a date. Wednesday the 11th at 2pm! Finally. Ro was bummed. He wanted Monday. After the court date there is a 10 day waiting period to allow long lost relatives one final opportunity to step forward and claim their young relatives. Because our court date is on Wednesday, we add an additional day or two because the end of the 10 day wait falls on a weekend. It delays the process a little bit but it isn’t a disaster. The waiting continues with a concrete goal.
Very cold this evening.
Hotel had power outages in the morning. Work is being done on the entrance, which is in the back, for tourist season. Rustic wood handrails. Due to the weather, the front tiled brick area is a sheet of ice. There must not be lawsuits for this kind of thing. Yet.
We saw another devastatingly cute little girl at the orphanage. Maybe 6 years old. Exactly the kind of child that got us into this story.
Day 17
Boar’s Head
We ate breakfast under a boar’s head. A big stuffed and mounted one. I had no idea they were so big! I can see why they can be frightening, those boars. I would hate to encounter one in the wild.
I can’t tell you what we had for breakfast. Not because of the big head but because it was an odd mixture of stuff. I’m open to trying anything, really. This was bread crumbs, cheese, maybe mayo, then baked. They love breadcrumbs or cubes and mayo. I don’t know why everyone doesn’t die of heart attacks out here. Come to think of it, we don’t see many very old people.
Anyway, after school, we headed up to get the girls, and then headed for town. I’ve promised a few appreciative people that I would make them scarves. They make great ‘thank you’ gifts here where everybody wears one. I’m in crochet-ers heaven. I just wish I could find better quality yarn. The girls are still ‘Mama look!”-ing in hopes that I’ll cave in and buy them something. They don’t have a good understanding of what is necessity and what can be lived without for the time being. Belt (when pants aren’t threatening to expose ones backside), coin purse, and earrings aren’t necessities. But then again isn’t it difficult for all of us to determine the difference between necessity and luxury?
“America,” I respond, thinking our clothing budget will surely be blown the first week we return. Now I have three girls who think we have unlimited resources! I’ll have to come up with a plan. Good consignment stores and hand me downs for sure! Oh, by the way, Nastia is still a size 6, Sasha is a size 8 or 10 (both will work) and Tanya is probably a 12 (I’m a little shy to reveal her bust size over the airwaves. Send me an e-mail if you need specifics).
Moved in the direction of our pizza place. Found right in the center of the center square, our very own Tanya and Olga!
“Fancy meeting you here!” I said to Olga.
“Huh?” Olga replied. This comes of not speaking English all weekend.
Pizza place. The usual stuffing of the children. Salads, soups, baked chicken thing, dessert. Some people whose names shall go unmentioned couldn’t finish all they ordered. New rule: 3 dish limit for each costumer. Olga ducked out to speak with the social worker whose office was just across the street. There was a request from the floor for a haircut. Another girl looked like she could use a little trim as well. The third (that would be Nastia) won’t need a haircut for a long time (see photos). I recalled Jim taking Ashley to a hairdresser in Kiev. I remembered the price was fairly reasonable. What a great girl activity! I could use a little attention myself.
Through Olga, I told Tanya to find a hairdo person and make an appointment.
Olga was hoping to fly back to Kiev this evening but she had a few more things to finish. We need to visit a reluctant notary. Then hopefully get our court date!
Working our way back to our hotel, we stopped and picked up water, goodies, etc. Tanya said good evening and headed toward her apartment. Olga hailed a cab. This was the worst one yet. Not only was it small for our 5 people but we found a tiny fiat with a big driver. I was glad our ride would only be a few minutes and this fellow wasted no time getting out of there.
Rolan took the girls home to the internot while I visited with Olga. She brought out a bottle of something she bought at the market. It had pictures of lemons on the outside.
“This is our lemonade. Want to taste?”
I hate really sweet drinks but it looked interesting.
“Yeah.”
She poured a generous amount into a glass. It looked like Nestea with too much yellow. Almost like beer. I took a taste.
Have you ever had one of those candies called ‘Circus Peanuts’ that is orange marshmallow in the shape of a large peanut?
Blech.
When we met Olga in the square, we asked about our new credit cards. Yes! She had them. Hand delivered from the USA. When Rolan got back from the internot he tried to activate the thing.
“To activate, call from your home phone.” Infuriating.
Ro managed to get a hold of Ransom, who is staying at our home, by instant messaging. He had Ransom call the automated number. The automated man at the other end bought the ruse. Card activated.
We got locked in our hotel room. Operating the lock inside would not always open the door. It took several attempts. When our breakfast was announced, the (clerk?) had to go get a key, to unlock it for us. I think I figured out the trick to unlocking, but next day, we were given a new key. The lock was changed.
We ate breakfast under a boar’s head. A big stuffed and mounted one. I had no idea they were so big! I can see why they can be frightening, those boars. I would hate to encounter one in the wild.
I can’t tell you what we had for breakfast. Not because of the big head but because it was an odd mixture of stuff. I’m open to trying anything, really. This was bread crumbs, cheese, maybe mayo, then baked. They love breadcrumbs or cubes and mayo. I don’t know why everyone doesn’t die of heart attacks out here. Come to think of it, we don’t see many very old people.
Anyway, after school, we headed up to get the girls, and then headed for town. I’ve promised a few appreciative people that I would make them scarves. They make great ‘thank you’ gifts here where everybody wears one. I’m in crochet-ers heaven. I just wish I could find better quality yarn. The girls are still ‘Mama look!”-ing in hopes that I’ll cave in and buy them something. They don’t have a good understanding of what is necessity and what can be lived without for the time being. Belt (when pants aren’t threatening to expose ones backside), coin purse, and earrings aren’t necessities. But then again isn’t it difficult for all of us to determine the difference between necessity and luxury?
“America,” I respond, thinking our clothing budget will surely be blown the first week we return. Now I have three girls who think we have unlimited resources! I’ll have to come up with a plan. Good consignment stores and hand me downs for sure! Oh, by the way, Nastia is still a size 6, Sasha is a size 8 or 10 (both will work) and Tanya is probably a 12 (I’m a little shy to reveal her bust size over the airwaves. Send me an e-mail if you need specifics).
Moved in the direction of our pizza place. Found right in the center of the center square, our very own Tanya and Olga!
“Fancy meeting you here!” I said to Olga.
“Huh?” Olga replied. This comes of not speaking English all weekend.
Pizza place. The usual stuffing of the children. Salads, soups, baked chicken thing, dessert. Some people whose names shall go unmentioned couldn’t finish all they ordered. New rule: 3 dish limit for each costumer. Olga ducked out to speak with the social worker whose office was just across the street. There was a request from the floor for a haircut. Another girl looked like she could use a little trim as well. The third (that would be Nastia) won’t need a haircut for a long time (see photos). I recalled Jim taking Ashley to a hairdresser in Kiev. I remembered the price was fairly reasonable. What a great girl activity! I could use a little attention myself.
Through Olga, I told Tanya to find a hairdo person and make an appointment.
Olga was hoping to fly back to Kiev this evening but she had a few more things to finish. We need to visit a reluctant notary. Then hopefully get our court date!
Working our way back to our hotel, we stopped and picked up water, goodies, etc. Tanya said good evening and headed toward her apartment. Olga hailed a cab. This was the worst one yet. Not only was it small for our 5 people but we found a tiny fiat with a big driver. I was glad our ride would only be a few minutes and this fellow wasted no time getting out of there.
Rolan took the girls home to the internot while I visited with Olga. She brought out a bottle of something she bought at the market. It had pictures of lemons on the outside.
“This is our lemonade. Want to taste?”
I hate really sweet drinks but it looked interesting.
“Yeah.”
She poured a generous amount into a glass. It looked like Nestea with too much yellow. Almost like beer. I took a taste.
Have you ever had one of those candies called ‘Circus Peanuts’ that is orange marshmallow in the shape of a large peanut?
Blech.
When we met Olga in the square, we asked about our new credit cards. Yes! She had them. Hand delivered from the USA. When Rolan got back from the internot he tried to activate the thing.
“To activate, call from your home phone.” Infuriating.
Ro managed to get a hold of Ransom, who is staying at our home, by instant messaging. He had Ransom call the automated number. The automated man at the other end bought the ruse. Card activated.
We got locked in our hotel room. Operating the lock inside would not always open the door. It took several attempts. When our breakfast was announced, the (clerk?) had to go get a key, to unlock it for us. I think I figured out the trick to unlocking, but next day, we were given a new key. The lock was changed.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Day 16
A Snowy Day
A relaxing morning hanging around the ol’ ‘Hotel Europe’, working and reading and doing a little crochet.
Tanya sounded reluctant to join us today but came to the hotel when Rolan went to get the girls at 1 this afternoon.
He entered the cafeteria at the orphanage were there were some 40 kids eating soup with potatoes and dipping bread into it. For some unknown reason, Rolan’s presence emits peals of laughter from the kids. When I’m there, I just notice laughter from the adolescent boys. Fedya was the chosen diplomat instructed to step up and approach Rolan with a question but Rolan didn’t understand.
We played at the hotel all afternoon. I got out the viewfinder so Tanya could see America, then Rolan put on some music for the girls to dance to. It snowed. The girls laughed. Nastia wanted a shower then lounged in a sweater and towel skirt. We snacked on Quaker instant oatmeal, braided and smoked mozarella, tea, and chocolate covered peanuts. The girls begged for a stuffed animal out of the sack Adie and Catherine gave (Thanks girls!). Tanya chose a stuffed bear wearing a ‘Steamboat’ sweater. Nastia fell in love with a sleeping lion cub. I can’t recall what Sasha ended up with. She changes her mind. We played with some puzzles that were quite difficult. I was impressed with Nastia’s persistence. They love playing with the nesting dolls I bought in Kiev. One large one holds wooden Christmas ornaments. “Krasivi!” (beautiful) Tanya said. “Vow!” Nastia said. Another nesting doll has 4 sisters inside, each getting smaller. The best one is a chicken that opens to even smaller chickens. We didn’t bring any computer games but there is an artists pad (paint) already in the computer. They were good about taking turns, but Tanya pounds the keys pretty hard.
We took the two younger ones back home at about 5pm. We had invited English teacher and local gal, Anya, to come for a little dinner at the restaurant here so we could talk to Tanya and find out how she is doing.
The restaurant was dark but they assured us they were open for business. Lights came on. Ro and I ordered the Beef Stroganoff with Cesar salad. Let me just say that the salad was not green.
A relaxing morning hanging around the ol’ ‘Hotel Europe’, working and reading and doing a little crochet.
Tanya sounded reluctant to join us today but came to the hotel when Rolan went to get the girls at 1 this afternoon.
He entered the cafeteria at the orphanage were there were some 40 kids eating soup with potatoes and dipping bread into it. For some unknown reason, Rolan’s presence emits peals of laughter from the kids. When I’m there, I just notice laughter from the adolescent boys. Fedya was the chosen diplomat instructed to step up and approach Rolan with a question but Rolan didn’t understand.
We played at the hotel all afternoon. I got out the viewfinder so Tanya could see America, then Rolan put on some music for the girls to dance to. It snowed. The girls laughed. Nastia wanted a shower then lounged in a sweater and towel skirt. We snacked on Quaker instant oatmeal, braided and smoked mozarella, tea, and chocolate covered peanuts. The girls begged for a stuffed animal out of the sack Adie and Catherine gave (Thanks girls!). Tanya chose a stuffed bear wearing a ‘Steamboat’ sweater. Nastia fell in love with a sleeping lion cub. I can’t recall what Sasha ended up with. She changes her mind. We played with some puzzles that were quite difficult. I was impressed with Nastia’s persistence. They love playing with the nesting dolls I bought in Kiev. One large one holds wooden Christmas ornaments. “Krasivi!” (beautiful) Tanya said. “Vow!” Nastia said. Another nesting doll has 4 sisters inside, each getting smaller. The best one is a chicken that opens to even smaller chickens. We didn’t bring any computer games but there is an artists pad (paint) already in the computer. They were good about taking turns, but Tanya pounds the keys pretty hard.
We took the two younger ones back home at about 5pm. We had invited English teacher and local gal, Anya, to come for a little dinner at the restaurant here so we could talk to Tanya and find out how she is doing.
The restaurant was dark but they assured us they were open for business. Lights came on. Ro and I ordered the Beef Stroganoff with Cesar salad. Let me just say that the salad was not green.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Day 15
Things have slowed way down. There's not much to write about now. We are getting into the routine of living while we wait for documents and court dates. Get up in the morning, see what's made for breakfast, sit down and try to work. Around 1pm, go to the internot (orphanage, not to be confused with internet). Sit there for a while, play cards with Sasha and Nastiya, get tired of sitting in the internot, go to the pizza place, eat some food. Eventually, back to the hotel to see a movie, snack like crazy, then take the girls back to the internot.
Tanya is starting to get bored. Oh yeah, what is entertaining for young kids is not going to be entertaining for a 17 year old, duh. I would like to find some way to make this Ukrainian waiting-to-be-adopted time special for her too. There must be something to do that's fun other than shop. Will have to ask about ice skating, bowling or other things kids do to keep from resorting to alchohol. We badly need to communicate with Tanya. Fortunately, she is eager to learn English. She is picking up words daily. I think Igor must be helping her. Sasha and Nastiya do ok communicating, since they had 10 weeks with us. I hear words from them I didn't know they knew. Good ones I mean. We sort of have our own English-Russian mix language. They know the words I know and use them. Tanya is catching on. I know I've been mispronouncing some of the words but the girls use them my way anyway.
Tanya left us today after the pizza. She didn't want to come and watch "Mary Poppins," go figure.
Sasha and Nastiya both washed their hair at the hotel room. They get a shower maybe weekly. We watched less than an hour of Mary Poppins, then the computer froze. We took the girls back to the internot, then stopped at our local little store to buy eggs, but there were none. Wrong kind of store, I guess.
Eileen bought a hot pot. We got it at a second hand store. The clerk demonstrated the pot. She filled it with water, plugged it in, waited for the water to boil, and the pot shut itself off. Then Eileen had to sign a slip of paper. We think the paper must have said something like, "I watched this product work, so I can't say it was defective when I got it home."
On the way to the internot, we got on the same trolley that Tanya had taken. We practically walked into her arms while boarding. I did not have small change, so it took a long time to get change for my 10 grivna. The trolley ride to the internot is only a mile or so. In fact, the doors to the trolley closed on me before I could get change. I think the change lady had the trolley stop within 20 yards of the intended stop, and I got off. I made quite a spectacle. Tanya and Eileen were waiting for me on the curb and laughing. Later, we caught the trolley with the same change lady. She recognized me, chuckled, and got me my change very quickly!
Now it's just going to be life in a hotel room.
It's been snowing the last 24 hours. The streets and sidewalks were becoming free of ice and snow. Now we have 6 inches of snow, with more falling.
Tanya is starting to get bored. Oh yeah, what is entertaining for young kids is not going to be entertaining for a 17 year old, duh. I would like to find some way to make this Ukrainian waiting-to-be-adopted time special for her too. There must be something to do that's fun other than shop. Will have to ask about ice skating, bowling or other things kids do to keep from resorting to alchohol. We badly need to communicate with Tanya. Fortunately, she is eager to learn English. She is picking up words daily. I think Igor must be helping her. Sasha and Nastiya do ok communicating, since they had 10 weeks with us. I hear words from them I didn't know they knew. Good ones I mean. We sort of have our own English-Russian mix language. They know the words I know and use them. Tanya is catching on. I know I've been mispronouncing some of the words but the girls use them my way anyway.
Tanya left us today after the pizza. She didn't want to come and watch "Mary Poppins," go figure.
Sasha and Nastiya both washed their hair at the hotel room. They get a shower maybe weekly. We watched less than an hour of Mary Poppins, then the computer froze. We took the girls back to the internot, then stopped at our local little store to buy eggs, but there were none. Wrong kind of store, I guess.
Eileen bought a hot pot. We got it at a second hand store. The clerk demonstrated the pot. She filled it with water, plugged it in, waited for the water to boil, and the pot shut itself off. Then Eileen had to sign a slip of paper. We think the paper must have said something like, "I watched this product work, so I can't say it was defective when I got it home."
On the way to the internot, we got on the same trolley that Tanya had taken. We practically walked into her arms while boarding. I did not have small change, so it took a long time to get change for my 10 grivna. The trolley ride to the internot is only a mile or so. In fact, the doors to the trolley closed on me before I could get change. I think the change lady had the trolley stop within 20 yards of the intended stop, and I got off. I made quite a spectacle. Tanya and Eileen were waiting for me on the curb and laughing. Later, we caught the trolley with the same change lady. She recognized me, chuckled, and got me my change very quickly!
Now it's just going to be life in a hotel room.
It's been snowing the last 24 hours. The streets and sidewalks were becoming free of ice and snow. Now we have 6 inches of snow, with more falling.
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