The Full Monty

Today we really began the experience of living life in Ukraine. I began by coming to post on the blog followed by a trip to the market, where speaking a little bit of Russian can only do you a little bit of good. Nonetheless, the caveman here was able to drag home the daily rations.

I later went to buy a cell phone from the Kievstar store. Being in sales, I am still entertained by people in the stores here who seem generally bothered when you come in to buy something. We got out of there now able to communicate with someone- the phone in our flat was not working.

We called Stacy Hennesy and arranged to meet her at the orphanage. Yes, we had no permission from anyone official at the orphanage and yes, we decided to take our chances (I am trying to sound like Zhenya here). On the way to the metro, we hit the local McDonald's, where I was recognized as Superdad.

We got out at the Nivky station to catch the 719 bus to the orphanage. It was here the our family thought we would freeze to death. Lily kept her blood flowing by picking up snow every 4 steps. When we finally followed the right crowd standing underneath the right sign with 719 on it, we boarded the 719. I wish someone had told me that Guiness would be on hand to capture our attempt to break the world record for most people on a bus, I would have worn a different shirt. I looked at the sign on the front of the bus and saw that it was 1.25 grivna per person. I gave the driver 6.25 and he handed me 1.25 back and said nothing. I thought that I was getting the Guiness participant discount so I went back to, you guessed it, the VERY back of the bus. As soon as I sat down, the driver began screaming "molodoy chilavek" and what sounded like @#%$*& in Russian. I knew that he was talking to me, but had no idea what he was saying, so I decided to blend in with the environment by sitting like a bump on a log. Unphased, he kept on. Finally, a lady said "pyat grivna." So I sent him 5 more grivnas and the lashing stopped.

When we finally did get to the orphanage, about 6:15, Andrey was there waiting in the lobby. He was so glad to see us all and we exchanged the usual pleasantries. All of the boys from last summer came in and we hung out for about 2 hours. We took crazy pictures and watched little Yuri (from 2 summers ago) do amazing gymnastics in foyer hallway. We had a great time seeing what the boys do when the director is on vacation. Andrey's caretaker came out and told us what a good boy he was and that she really would miss him. She told us we could take him out tomorrow.

We finally left and made it home from our first real day in Ukraine. Scarred but smarter, we had a great time and vowed to do it again the next day. Thanks so much for all the prayers. It is amazing to be a part of all of this and we feel so privileged to be a part of "religion that God sees as pure and faultless."

I will get the phone number posted once I reload minutes and can get it off of the phone.