We have had a rough time adjusting to the time change and woke up around 2:30 am and decided to watch a movie and then went back to sleep at 5:00 am.
We met the Kellers for a late breakfast/lunch around 11:30 and returned their adapter-we learned that we actually have an adapter here that will work-good grief!
Then we met Hannah and Irina at one. Irina took us in the car to the Lavra which is a very old church and underground caves were monks lived. I think my Dad would have had claustrophobia, the caves are just barely taller than me and maybe two people wide? (Depending on the size of the person!) We had to light candles although there were other candles lit and in-scents it was still very dark and a little spooky. We were forbidden to enter parts of the caves as Hannah and I did not have a skirt on. It's a sacred place of worship. It's a good thing they had exit signs or we would still be there!
All along the caves were little coffins with the remains of monks. They were very tiny men. I think they largest coffin was no more than 4 foot 5 inches. Their remains are preserved and covered with cloths so-no Austin-we didn't see any dead people.
We toured the beautiful church and really got our legs worked out on what I call "The Ukraine Stair Stepper" which was very steep cobblestone roads.
The biggest adventure was finding a WC (water closet) and James took video of me in the mud trying to cross the road. I wish however that I had the camera in the bathroom (but it was on the other side of the muddy road) as this was one of the toilets where you stand on either side of a hole in the floor. I'm pleased to say I made it through the experience but I hope to not experience it again!
Then we walked to an underground mall where I found Alex a Ukraine book of fables and one in English for Rylee. I also bought a Ukraine cookbook. I'm hoping I can figure out how to make these wonderful pancakes!
Irinia picked us up and we went to the SDA at 4:00. This time there were many more parents and facilitators there. We waited for about a 1/2 hour, were called into a room where a stack of papers were prepared for us and were asked to show our passports and sign and sent on our way. So we have our referral and tomorrow we're on our way to Alex!
Then we shopped....I won't tell what we bought as to keep it a surprise for our children but we had a lot of fun. It's colder today and we were shopping at these stalls outside the SDA on yet another "Ukraine Stair Stepper" road. I really hope I'm getting toned with all this up hill and down hill walking!
We had thought we had figured out the washing machine and put in a load of laundry before we left but when we came home it was dripping wet. We set it to spin again left for dinner.
We went with Hannah to dinner at the same yummy place she took us to yesterday only we let her pick out all our food. She did a good job. James and I had some kind of yummy chicken/turkey meatball, salmon, chicken, borscht (we've had it everyday so far) and of course my favorite...apple pancakes with sour cream and jam.
Our Hannah is a doll. She's traveling with us tomorrow but will be leaving and then coming back for court. We've had some great spiritual discussions with her-instigated by her-and she has asked for one of our Ukraine BofM's. Were hoping we can find a church on Sunday and that she'll come with us.
When we got back we couldn't get the lid to open to the washer and once James pushed enough buttons and unplugged and re-plugged it in, the clothes were just as wet as they were before. So, I rung them out by hand and now all our whites are dripping in the bathroom. I think we'll throw them in a plastic bag and try again in Dnipro, hopefully we can find some bleach because although they smell cleaner, the don't look any cleaner!
So tomorrow we say goodbye to Kiev and our little apartment with Internet access. We're told it will be harder to get online in Dnipro. and that we'll have to use an Internet cafe. So, don't be surprised if we don't post very often.
James had the camera today, so lot's of scenery pictures. But the Lavra is truly magnificent!
The sign below is important to understand....it says "Toilet".
This was me walking to the bathroom, the road was a muddy mess and obviously under construction. I didn't post the video of me trudging through the muck and the mud as it's just taking too long to download.
(Notice my hair....no curling iron!)
This is James entertaining us while shopping.
At one point I turned to ask James a question to who I thought was my husband in a black beany hat, but it was an Ukraine young man in a very similar black beany hat. He was very entertained at my mistaking him for my husband. (Good thing I didn't goose him or anything!) As soon as we walked off, he ran to tell his friends about it. I'm glad I'm bringing joy and laughter to at least one Ukraine today!
Our drive tomorrow is about 6-7 hours and I don't know if I'll get to see my Lex or not but I'm hoping so! Wish us luck!
Then we met Hannah and Irina at one. Irina took us in the car to the Lavra which is a very old church and underground caves were monks lived. I think my Dad would have had claustrophobia, the caves are just barely taller than me and maybe two people wide? (Depending on the size of the person!) We had to light candles although there were other candles lit and in-scents it was still very dark and a little spooky. We were forbidden to enter parts of the caves as Hannah and I did not have a skirt on. It's a sacred place of worship. It's a good thing they had exit signs or we would still be there!
All along the caves were little coffins with the remains of monks. They were very tiny men. I think they largest coffin was no more than 4 foot 5 inches. Their remains are preserved and covered with cloths so-no Austin-we didn't see any dead people.
We toured the beautiful church and really got our legs worked out on what I call "The Ukraine Stair Stepper" which was very steep cobblestone roads.
The biggest adventure was finding a WC (water closet) and James took video of me in the mud trying to cross the road. I wish however that I had the camera in the bathroom (but it was on the other side of the muddy road) as this was one of the toilets where you stand on either side of a hole in the floor. I'm pleased to say I made it through the experience but I hope to not experience it again!
Then we walked to an underground mall where I found Alex a Ukraine book of fables and one in English for Rylee. I also bought a Ukraine cookbook. I'm hoping I can figure out how to make these wonderful pancakes!
Irinia picked us up and we went to the SDA at 4:00. This time there were many more parents and facilitators there. We waited for about a 1/2 hour, were called into a room where a stack of papers were prepared for us and were asked to show our passports and sign and sent on our way. So we have our referral and tomorrow we're on our way to Alex!
Then we shopped....I won't tell what we bought as to keep it a surprise for our children but we had a lot of fun. It's colder today and we were shopping at these stalls outside the SDA on yet another "Ukraine Stair Stepper" road. I really hope I'm getting toned with all this up hill and down hill walking!
We had thought we had figured out the washing machine and put in a load of laundry before we left but when we came home it was dripping wet. We set it to spin again left for dinner.
We went with Hannah to dinner at the same yummy place she took us to yesterday only we let her pick out all our food. She did a good job. James and I had some kind of yummy chicken/turkey meatball, salmon, chicken, borscht (we've had it everyday so far) and of course my favorite...apple pancakes with sour cream and jam.
Our Hannah is a doll. She's traveling with us tomorrow but will be leaving and then coming back for court. We've had some great spiritual discussions with her-instigated by her-and she has asked for one of our Ukraine BofM's. Were hoping we can find a church on Sunday and that she'll come with us.
When we got back we couldn't get the lid to open to the washer and once James pushed enough buttons and unplugged and re-plugged it in, the clothes were just as wet as they were before. So, I rung them out by hand and now all our whites are dripping in the bathroom. I think we'll throw them in a plastic bag and try again in Dnipro, hopefully we can find some bleach because although they smell cleaner, the don't look any cleaner!
So tomorrow we say goodbye to Kiev and our little apartment with Internet access. We're told it will be harder to get online in Dnipro. and that we'll have to use an Internet cafe. So, don't be surprised if we don't post very often.
James had the camera today, so lot's of scenery pictures. But the Lavra is truly magnificent!
The sign below is important to understand....it says "Toilet".
This was me walking to the bathroom, the road was a muddy mess and obviously under construction. I didn't post the video of me trudging through the muck and the mud as it's just taking too long to download.
(Notice my hair....no curling iron!)
This is James entertaining us while shopping.
At one point I turned to ask James a question to who I thought was my husband in a black beany hat, but it was an Ukraine young man in a very similar black beany hat. He was very entertained at my mistaking him for my husband. (Good thing I didn't goose him or anything!) As soon as we walked off, he ran to tell his friends about it. I'm glad I'm bringing joy and laughter to at least one Ukraine today!
Our drive tomorrow is about 6-7 hours and I don't know if I'll get to see my Lex or not but I'm hoping so! Wish us luck!
5 of my blog friends said something...:
Well good luck! i am so excited for you to get to finally be with alex and stuff. I imagine you are real excited and everything. Can't wait for you to be able to bring him home.
Fun! I thought you were going to the orphanage today for some reason. So I am headed to my race right now and will be back on Sunday. I can't wait to see pictures of the orphanage and to hear all about how things are going there. I want to know if the staff and everyone are friendly and looking forward to all of us families.
This is quite a story ! YOU WRITE SO WELL, i get anxious to get the next part... thinking of you while on the road..Great pictures ! I need to tell you that Switzerland is nothing like that...Russia is behind time due to their government. When we go there, we have everything home in the USA has....I love the way you explain things, it put us right there like reading a biography.. Robert sure enjoyed it...... keep it up,,, we miss you thinking you are so far away, hoping you get to see Alex... what is the procedure about this ? they do not give you a date when you can have him for good ? well miss you and stay safe, both of you....
Wendy & James,
Good Luck, thanks for the narration and pics! I hope you get to be with your boy soon. He wll be so excited to see you!!Keep writing, we (Ross and I) will never get there so the pics are great!!! I think of you often during the day and wonder what you are doing (Probably sleeping because of the time difference!)
Wow! it's our experience all over again. Same cobble stone roads, churches, SDA ect.... We can picture every moment you are having! Thanks for the memories!!!
Enjoy every moment because even though it might seem forever it really is only a spec in time and soon you'll be back home with your darling son. Good luck and keep your blog going it is awesome!!! By the way your hair looks great don't worry about the curling iron.
Lucinda Milne
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