OUR FIRST DAY IN KYIV

May 29, 2007

Yesterday, after helping us settle into our apaertment, our facilitator took us to Mega Mart (similar to a Sam’s Club) to pick up fresh baked bread, butter, milk, cheese, water and Coca-Cola Light (their version of diet). On the way there, poor Laura tripped & took a fall coming down the last step of the walk up that we are staying in. She is ok, but both knees took a good banging. What a way to start!

The apartment is on the 3rd floor, without an elevator…boy, can we feel how OUT of shape we’re in (especially when carrying up all that heavy luggage & the (2) 6 liter bottles of water along with the other groceries--we thought we were going to die!!! But the apartment is nice, with a queen size bed and a normal toilet (that‘s the most important!). The bathtub/shower is on a raised platform so it makes it “interesting” getting in and out! The owner of this apt. even put a hot water tank in there & we even have a small washing machine in the bathroom (haven’t figured out how to use it yet though). We have a small eat-in kitchen with a microwave, coffee maker, full size refrigerator, & a gas stove. Our facilitator says we are staying in an “upper class” part of town, in the central part of Kyiv-vs. near Independence Square-for those who have “been there & done this” trip before, we are on Gorkiy Street, near the Mega Mart. Tomorrow, after our appointment our facilitator is going to take us around the area more.

Today (Tuesday), we were happily able to sleep in, although we went to bed last night around 12:30 & we woke up around 8AM (I think we were still very keyed up & overtired). So this morning, we watched all the people walking to work from the balcony of our apartment (where we get a little breeze anyway) while we had our coffee & donuts--oh yeah, we bought those too :-) & they were yummy! Later, we made the first trip out on our own to Mega Mart to stock up on more water, buy some paper plates (who does dishes?!) paper towels, napkins, plastic cups ( the glasses & coffee cups supplied are like thimbles!), cheese and Coke Light. Ed also checked out the three aisles of beer all sold in single serve! The locals seem to like to buy a bottle and drink it on the street on the way home. Ed will write more on his beer expedition later, after he buys some or “1” himself!

Tonight, we really became daring and walked a little around our area & took some pictures. Then, we found a pizzeria nearby and had an enjoyable “Four Fromage” (cheese) pizza which was very tasty and cokes without ice for dinner. So, our 1st day in Kyiv was quite relaxing, & now we can strictly concentrate on the reason we are here: To bring home our child(ren) & start our “Forever Family”!

Our facilitator also came over this afternoon, and said that our appointment is scheduled for 10 AM Wed. (3 AM EST). Please say a prayer for us before you go to bed tonight that everything goes smoothly, & that God will guide us to the child(ren) we are meant to adopt. This was a combined blog written by both of us! We’ll let you know how everything goes tomorrow…Until then, God Bless All of You! Love, Laura & Ed