Hello Everyone,
We arrived without issue. Our flights were long but uneventful. Heathrow was a nightmare - once you get off the plane you have to clear security and the line was outrageously big. Anyway...we made it.
At the airport we were met by the VIP Escort service to get us through Customs. This turned what could have been a very long process into about 5 minutes. After we got out of Customs our facillitator Olga was right there to meet us.
The drive back into Kyiv was interesting. Our translator's son-in-law Sasha drove us in a BMW 5-class sedan. He averaged about 85MPH the whole way in. Andrea just closed her eyes at times. Kyiv is a growing city - a lot of new building going on.
We stopped and got groceries on the way in. We picked up the essentials - bottled water - pierogies and M&M's.
Our apartment is right on a main thoroughfare into downtown. You never know what you are going to see - this is quite possibly the ultimate place to people watch. Just this morning an older woman wearing typical Ukrainian clothes pulled her skirt up and whizzed right on the sidewalk. Yeah - that was not the best way to start my day but Andrea got a good chuckle out of it!! The apartment is convenient to grocery - pizza and coffee. What else could we ask for! It is clean and full of books we can't read - and also some fuzzy blankets and chair covers - we'll take a picture for you!! Actually interestingly enough our apartment is right next to the US Embassy. They had a party last night that lasted until 3AM - didn't keep us up though!
Today we are going to take a tour with a friend of Olga's. He is a young kid who speaks English pretty well. We'll give him $20 USD to show us around for a couple hours.
We spoke with Olga and Valentina (translator who put together our dossier) for a while in the apartment. The meeting with the SDA sounds to be a challenge potentially. We were told to be politely agressive as to the child we are seeking otherwise they will try to set us up with an older child. We were told to ask as many questions as we can. The unfortunate thing is that under the new rules our translator (Olga) cannot join us in the room - the SDA will have their own translator present. We are going to spend a fair amount of time over the next day and a half putting together our questions and preparing ourselves for this all important meeting.
This is it for now - we are going to head out on our tour. We'll catch back up after our meeting with the SDA on Tuesday. Until then...das vedana - that is Russian for good-bye - we think.
Chris & Andrea
4 comments:
I read your notes and am covered in goosebumps! What an exciting time for you both. I am so happy that your flight was good and that the right people were exactly where they were supposed to be. Sounds like this is quite an adventure. Enjoy every moment and keep us posted - can't wait to hear all the details! Take care
Glad to hear you arrived safe and sound and are settling in.
You guys will do great with the orphanage people. $ makes people predictable. Negotiate from a position of strength - and Andrea, no kicking Chris under the table.
Breathe.
Glad to hear that you arrived safe and sound. It sounds like the car ride to Kiyv was the most exciting part of the trip. I can't believe a women whizzed on the street- just lifted her skirt and went. Yuck- that puts a twist on the
10 second rule...
Be strong and smile.... lots of love coming to you from across the big "pond".... waiting for the next update.
Twins!!! Wow, that is great. We are all hoping that they are Brady and Igor......(or Jon!). Please keep the updates coming as I know everyone is anxious to hear about your journey. We will attempt a call this weekend. You are in our thoughts everyday... I hope the twins are the match for you two...
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