Yesterday I took a walk alone out on Kreyshatik St., which is like being in Times Square in New York. Out of the sidewalk tunnel (where people cross the street underground) came a lady asking me, in Russian, if I knew where the toilet was. I do not know why I( of all the hundreds of people) looked like I should know where the toilet was, so I checked my shoe for a toilet paper flag. Unscathed, I answered her back in Russian and off she went. I thought to myself, "hmmm. Seems like I may be fitting in around here."
Maybe the reason for feeling this way is that we are being unavoidably detained by the legal process in Kiev. Last week when the judge told us that court would be on the 26th, we were not aware that she filed our proceedings with the court system. We found out yesterday that it is against the law to move our date forward at this stage. So we will deal with it.
Delta has us on a waiting list to leave on Dec. 30. If tickets are not available, we will leave on January 9. If that happens, we will have celebrated American Christmas and Ukrainian Christmas (Jan. 7). New Year is supposed to be a big deal here, maybe we will see.
I am beginning to see, perhaps, why this may be happening. Tonight we had 2 orphan graduates (ages 16, 21) at our apartment for dinner. The older one was diagnosed with bronchitis 2 days ago. The medicine cost 45 grivnas, about 9 dollars. She only had 15 grivnas, about 3 dollars. She was told by the compassionate, socialized medicine system here (that everyone access to for little or no money) that she would get no medicine without 45 grivnas. So they released her into the 25 degree snowy weather to get better, or perhaps catch pneumonia. When we found out about her situation, we decided to take care of the medicine for her. She saw one of the prescription bottles that we brought over with Anderson's name on it and it absolutely blew her mind. She asked if she could take it back to show her friends.
So in the meantime, we will look after orphans in their distress. It feels a lot better than being mad at the world for being stuck here.
Earlier, we went to meet Chris' class at the theater for a St. Nicholas celebration. We got a great sampling of the Ukrainian culture and talent! Some of the acts were throwbacks to variety shows of the 70's.....ahem, 80's. One of the last numbers was LaBamba?!?!?
More Later,
Ande
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
On Becoming Indigenous (It's like we live here)
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5 comments:
I think it will be hard for you guys to come home in some ways. Especially after being adopted yourselves by the graduates.
Ya'll are precious.
Love
The Smiths ~ Here and There
Guys, our hearts are with you. If it turns out that you are there when we return, we will enjoy your company. We love you guys. Saw your girl last night - as radiant and beautiful as ever. Her class baked a cake (in the microwave???). It wasn't a bad experiment. We enjoyed spending time with them.
The Grace's
So glad to see the socialized medical care meets the needs of all :) ! Praying for you guys!
Joy
I have loved keeping up with your journey and relaying it to Lance and the girls. We are so excited for you and are praying for the day when you get to come home. Stay strong your almost there!!
We are in the Houston area -- since April. So not very long, we're still settling in and making new friends. We're headed to Mobile for Christmas with family. Matt is 18 now!! Yes he is all grown up.
Merry Christmas!!
Kathy
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