Flying Fast

We haven’t written in a few days because first there was a whirlwind of activity: Tuesday we left the hotel at 10:00am after breakfast and didn’t eat a meal again until 7:30 pm (I bought diet cokes and chocolate knowing that it was going to be a busy day!). This is a little misleading, because Oles is really the busy one. Katya and I are only along for the ride, some signatures, and her photograph. It’s really mostly waiting patiently in the car or walking around the car in town. But we were able to pick get the new birth certificate in Shorc, get the name change on the SS card in Gorodnya, and

even apply for the passport in Chernigov. Yeeehah!

This church in Shorc is being

renovated and looks out of place

with the poverty of the village.

We’ve been promised that the passport (for those who understand ;-)) should be ready by Tuesday morning, which means, God-willing that the medical, and visa go as planned, we may be able to come home a week from Friday! Yahooo!
Wednesday, we just rested in our new room—we moved because this one is much nicer. Also, we walked to the library in Chernigov where I returned our “Moo-Moo” since I really have no intention of reading it and looking up every other word. When Oles suggested I read it to improve my Russian and I heard that it was called, “Moo-Moo”, I thought it was a children’s story with simple words that I could understand. Nope. My Russian is still too basic for this book. Besides, I’m half-way into Dr. Zhivago and loving it. Which reminds me…when we were in the “public” library in Gorodnya, the librarian said that they don’t lend books to the children from the orphanage. Katya said it was because they have their own library at the orphanage (much smaller). I wonder, though, if it is just another small way these children are discriminated against—since they have no parent to charge for

an overdue or missing book?

Now that the snow is mostly melted, I am struck by the garbage,

mud, and grayness of everything. Yet, amidst the dullness, there is beauty.

This window is the only beautiful thing in the public library in Chernigov.

Today, I thought I’d include a section for those folks planning to come to Ukraine for the first time with a few tips that has helped us be more comfortable in this foreign country.
1) Try to incorporate the simple things that you love at home here in Ukraine. We love to watch birds feeding at our home so we buy sunflower seeds (at any market or food store) and put them on the ledge outside the window.
2) We miss our pets so we also buy some cat food to feed stray dogs and cats that we come into contact with here. (Dogs eat anything/cats are more particular) Try not to get too attached even if they are as cute as Sabachka.
3) If you’re staying in a hotel (or even an apartment) don’t be afraid to ask for a nicer room (at the same price, of course). Unlike in America, the rooms in the same price range can be substantially different. We waited a few days until the weekend crowd left, and were able to upgrade.
4) Go for a walk every day if you can. This really helps even when the weather is dismal.
Well that’s all for now! Please know that we read each of your comments with anticipation and gratitude! Thanks for staying in touch and thanks, especially, for your prayers.

SDG Charlene and Katya