Day 2 - still editing and adding so don't read yet.

I didn't sleep well obviously from jet lag, but got up and had a nice shower and got ready. I brought my blow dryer I had bought in Italy 7 years ago. Finally able to use it again. Remember, the plugs are different. Serg picked me up along with my translator, Roma. We loaded up all the donation and presents I bought and off we went. I first got a nice tour of Kiev and visited all the historic sites and SDA. There is a lot of traffic in Kiev.

We then stopped at a Shell gas station for coffee. All the gas stations and like most places in Europe, they have espresso machines and make great lattes.

Our 200 miles translates to 6 hours to our first orphanage. There are no major freeways in Ukraine and the roads to our first orphanage were brutal. Two lanes, lots of passing, cow crossings and many times the GPS would go off the grid so Serg would have to stop to check the map. It was nice to go through all the small towns and see woman churning the milk in their front yards, and the way the Ukraine people live in the small town and villages. The older woman wear scarfs on their heads and most people dress very nice. Even the guys at the gas station wear sweaters and slacks. Young girls all wear nice dresses and skirts and of course, very high heels. People would stare at us when we drove through but I finally figured out it was the car we were driving. Ilona has an American car and I guess that is unusual in Ukraine. I would say at least 25% of the cars are the little Russian made old USSR cars. They must run well because there are a lot of them. I want one :0).

Many towns seemed like ghost towns with old USSR buildings with no windows and empty houses. The trees and many shrubs are just like ones you see in California so many times it was like being at home...except for all the bouncing I did from the pot holes and rocky roads. I remember when Serg first got to California the first thing he mentioned to Gary in the car was how nice the roads were.

Serg now nicknamed me "Japanese tourist" because I took pictures of everything. He actually got mad at me for wearing my seat belt. Um, too bad so sad! He is a crack up and a "live wire". He is definitely the best with getting a person through Ukraine on a short trip. He does not mess around and just goes! We would turn up the music and I got to listen to all kinds of Russian hip hop and rap ;0).  Roma told me it was a good thing I didn't understand the words. Either that or they would sit up front and speak Russian while I took it all in. I would interrupt every once in a while to get my 30 minute conversations or history lessons from Roma.

Roma is the nicest guy ever. Very mild mannered and explains everything. I got a nice Ukrainian education lesson as he pointed out everything. He speaks Russian, Ukrainian and perfect English. He also spent a lot of time telling me about adoptions in Ukraine as he is Ilona's main guy to work with families 'in country". He is a book of knowledge and has a great reputation among officials in Ukraine. I think he has pretty much seen and done it all. I learned so much from him. I recommend him 100% to any family looking for a facilitator there. Especially if you are facing a difficult adoption.

So we arrived at our first town tired and stiff. I was completely intimidated at first. Serg went over and talked with a group of men then came back and got Roma while I stayed by the car. They then waved me over and we proceeded to the director's office in one of the old buildings. The floors are in really bad shape with tiles missing and warped floors. They were had workers doing repairs. The director was gone but the assistant director was there. Everyone in the office just looked at us with distrust until Serg told them we were with Viant. All of a sudden they all smiled and the AD was as sweet as pie. The grounds were well maintained and beautiful.

She took us outside and introduced us to a group of girls. I talked with them and asked them questions. I asked the AD why just five and she said they were the "true orphans". Not sure what that meant but I assume the ones who can be adopted now. They were beautiful girls and I wanted to take them ALL home.

The AD took us into another building that was amazing but totally in disrepair. It as a palace built by a Noblemen who built many palaces all over Ukraine during the 1800's. I walked in and a 16 year old boy stopped us and asked if he could please go to America. :0(. Ugh. She then took me into the room full of boys under 6 getting ready for nap time. The room was amazing with high ceilings and pained in Disney them. I cried when I saw the boys and wanted to load them all in the car and take them home with me.

She then took us down to eat lunch with the kids. I had to wash my hands first, of course. The have a row of sinks so many kids can wash at one time. We had an amazing meal. Borsh

We then went out and got a tour of the grounds. Soccer is like football in Ukraine and they had an amazing field. All the boys want to be famous soccer players. They also had a very cool work out area for the public and kids. We all had to try out the machines. It was very nice. The girls stayed with us on the tour. They are so sweet and beautiful.

They had a horse and wagon, which is another thing you see all over Ukraine, and a tractor. Lots of maintenance people and care takers.