Day 18

It rained again today. We didn’t go to the orphanage today. We are trying to go every other day now. It saves on costs because the driver can be expensive. We went out for our daily walk and headed toward the outdoor market. Hubby really wanted some cookies that they sell there and it is a great place to buy candy to bring to the kids. It was raining pretty heavily by the time we got there so we had to buy an umbrella too. On our way there we saw three undercover cops handcuff and take some guy to a car. We are assuming they were the police but it’s hard to say. We stopped at the indoor market on the way home for some groceries and ran into family “F” with our friend whose husband left last night. We are making sure to keep her company because she is staying alone until Hubby leaves and then we will share an apartment. It was fun running into them at the market. We walked around with them and bought a Russian to English/English to Russian dictionary along with keyboard stickers for our computer at home. Hubby and I headed back home and watched a movie.

We all met at our favorite café for dinner later. It was a fun adventure to get there because we took the bus for the first time. It wasn’t a real bus as you would think it was one of those oversized Mercedes’ Vans converted to a mini-bus. We had to stand in the center aisle and you couldn’t see out of the windows because of the moisture from so many people. Sounds delightful, doesn’t it. Luckily the “F” family as a Ukrainian friend with them so she helped us get off at our stop. Some of these pictures were taken on our walk there and the pictures of the apartments are the neighboring apartment buildings to us. Our current apartment is in the blue building. It is the one (two windows) that is on the second floor to the right of the front door if you were standing facing our building. We had a great dinner with the “H” family and their five children that flew in this week, the “C” family, the “F” family with their two children and friend and our hubbyless friend along with the interpreter that goes to court with each of us. She was preparing the “H” family on their court hearing which is tomorrow. At this point we are 80% sure that our court will be Thursday. We should know for sure by tomorrow.

Hubby and I, along with the Ukrainian friend walked home from the restaurant. It was about an hour or so walk but we needed it after that dinner. We were home by 9:15pm just as the fog rolled in. Walking to our apartment, especially at night, is like right out of a scary movie. It doesn’t look safe and it especially didn’t seem that way with the fog. Every night you can hear packs of stray dogs fighting. My friend said she witnessed that during the day once and it was an ugly sight. We feel safe enough, though. Another day down!

As always we miss you all so much. I will feel a little better when Hubby is home safe and sound with the kids. Once he is gone I will be able to stay with our friend. She should be here another week but at that point everyone will be heading back to the states. I should only be alone in Zap for just over one week and then I can get the boys and head to Kiev. I feel much more secure in Kiev. It’s all good and I am looking forward to the day when all this is a memory to share. Thanks for your love, support and comments. We love you all!!!