Hello everyone, again my second attempt at a post. This time the dial up was so slow it somehow lost the post. I’ll bring you up to date on the apartment. As I’m typing this the laptop battery died good thing I saved it in a word file. I’m getting smarter. (Actually it was Vitaliy’s suggestion he’s been down this road before) Any way the apartment…. Anyone who remembers my apt. above Doxi’s it was 1000 times better. This place is disgusting no TV, no washer, no chairs, the bed springs are finished. We bought an air mattress at the market (Corrine’s Utopia). We went out and spent a couple hundred bucks for things to make the apt nicer, and some groceries including Borsht fixin’s. Borsht is a lunch meal only here. We have bus service from the apt straight to the orphanage for a Greevna per person. A Greevna = $0.20 USD. We drive past 3 bubbas booze can each day on the way to the orphanage. Pictures to follow. There are corner stores here every where, but the market is massive. It’s larger than 4 football fields. People come packed in buses from other cities and towns to shop. (My version of hell) It’s like walking through the Ex without the Carnies.
Were getting to know the kids better and have decided to go ahead. Now it’s more waiting the director was away Monday on personal business so now we can’t see a doctor in Kiev until next Monday because of the holiday from Thurs-Sun. This country has more holidays than every religion combined. It’s no wonder nothing happens quickly here. The biggest obstacle has been language (surprise surprise). I was pushing Bart on the swing and he was jabbering away in Ukrainian. As he spoke repeating himself he got louder and louder until he yelled “PAPA STOP” finally something I understood. He gets frustrated when we don’t understand but when Vitaliy drops by to see how it’s going Bart calms down and explains what he wants. Lisa has been getting more comfortable with us as well but yesterday afternoon she got very shy again. Today she was laughing her head off and had a game going where I had to lift her to the top of the slide and Corrine caught her at the bottom. She got upset if we traded positions. Bart ran around playing badminton, and had asked if we have sports in Canada. He wants to be a boxer. I asked if he new about hockey. He does but is not interested (my lucky streak continues). After the doctor we have to set a court date, and get letters of consent from the family members. We have been saying that we have completed another leg of the journey, I’m sure now that we are dealing with a centipede.
The orphanage is very nice and clean. Three kids per bedroom, and a TV in each bedroom as well as common areas. The Caregivers don’t like to miss their soaps! Vitaliy has told us the reason for the good conditions are because of the director who puts the money back into the orphanage instead of her pocket. Apparently this type of theft is common in Ukraine. However this place is much nicer than we had expected to see here, we met an American couple who are adopting a girl from the same place they are amazed as well. They are from Louisianna, he asked me if I knew Sam Katz. I just about fell over, then it was his turn when he found out Sam’s the Mayor now. There are a lot of play structures, but not a lot of toys until you look up into the chestnut tree branches and see a virtual Walmart hanging there.
This city isn’t as modern as Kiev, it’s still very nice not as clean, and again there is a large contrast between old and new. The Circus is in town we’ll try to go see it if possible. I have noticed that the people don’t have a problem throwing a ¼ burnt cigarette on the ground. They must be cheap here, also you don’t have the local riff raff running after them for a free smoke.
Just one quick last note before I try to post this again. The longer it takes the more I add, and the longer you dear reader wait between drinks. lol We had another good visit with the kids this afternoon. We are trying to incorporate English but the kids get bored easily looking at books. We played well together and found out that Bart wants to share some of the treats we bring with Milhouse (Isn’t that cute) it took a while to figure it out but now he’s happier. (So’s Milhouse!) When we left today after a massive wash up and Corrine having a gang toidy with the kids. Lisa has finally given me a hug, then came back to add a kiss.
Were getting to know the kids better and have decided to go ahead. Now it’s more waiting the director was away Monday on personal business so now we can’t see a doctor in Kiev until next Monday because of the holiday from Thurs-Sun. This country has more holidays than every religion combined. It’s no wonder nothing happens quickly here. The biggest obstacle has been language (surprise surprise). I was pushing Bart on the swing and he was jabbering away in Ukrainian. As he spoke repeating himself he got louder and louder until he yelled “PAPA STOP” finally something I understood. He gets frustrated when we don’t understand but when Vitaliy drops by to see how it’s going Bart calms down and explains what he wants. Lisa has been getting more comfortable with us as well but yesterday afternoon she got very shy again. Today she was laughing her head off and had a game going where I had to lift her to the top of the slide and Corrine caught her at the bottom. She got upset if we traded positions. Bart ran around playing badminton, and had asked if we have sports in Canada. He wants to be a boxer. I asked if he new about hockey. He does but is not interested (my lucky streak continues). After the doctor we have to set a court date, and get letters of consent from the family members. We have been saying that we have completed another leg of the journey, I’m sure now that we are dealing with a centipede.
The orphanage is very nice and clean. Three kids per bedroom, and a TV in each bedroom as well as common areas. The Caregivers don’t like to miss their soaps! Vitaliy has told us the reason for the good conditions are because of the director who puts the money back into the orphanage instead of her pocket. Apparently this type of theft is common in Ukraine. However this place is much nicer than we had expected to see here, we met an American couple who are adopting a girl from the same place they are amazed as well. They are from Louisianna, he asked me if I knew Sam Katz. I just about fell over, then it was his turn when he found out Sam’s the Mayor now. There are a lot of play structures, but not a lot of toys until you look up into the chestnut tree branches and see a virtual Walmart hanging there.
This city isn’t as modern as Kiev, it’s still very nice not as clean, and again there is a large contrast between old and new. The Circus is in town we’ll try to go see it if possible. I have noticed that the people don’t have a problem throwing a ¼ burnt cigarette on the ground. They must be cheap here, also you don’t have the local riff raff running after them for a free smoke.
Just one quick last note before I try to post this again. The longer it takes the more I add, and the longer you dear reader wait between drinks. lol We had another good visit with the kids this afternoon. We are trying to incorporate English but the kids get bored easily looking at books. We played well together and found out that Bart wants to share some of the treats we bring with Milhouse (Isn’t that cute) it took a while to figure it out but now he’s happier. (So’s Milhouse!) When we left today after a massive wash up and Corrine having a gang toidy with the kids. Lisa has finally given me a hug, then came back to add a kiss.
TTFN
R&C
3 comments:
Oh, my goodness......I hardly know what to say, other than I am sooooo Happy for you guys...(and for us here at home).
Looking forward to seeing pics of Bart & Lisa, when the time is right.
Sounds like that city is quite interesting to say the least.....
God Bless!!!!!
This is fantastic news, we couldn’t be happier for you guys! We hope the centipede is a short one.
Buddy is having a great time going for bike rides, walks, and swimming in the full ditches. He is such a good listener! By the way, he said to tell you “woof woof”!
Oh yes, and Richard is wondering if you can bring him a 6 pack of Bubba Beer…
HI there. This is so exciting...we can't imagine what it is like for you. We are so happy for you. Keep us updated. Take care...
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