Funny Pages

So through this process we are calling an adventure are constantly looking for the funny.  It is everywhere really.

The first real funny was in boarding our last flight from Munich to Kyiv.
First of all the flight was delayed by over 2 hours because the plane had sat on the tarmac to long (in sub-zero temperatures) and water lines froze.  So one they were replaced they loaded us all on a bus to be taken to the plane.  They had both the front and back door open to the plane and no rhyme or reason to who went to which door.  As the law of Degnan worked, we chose the front door only to find out that our seats were the second row from the back.  It was like a Mexican fire drill. Lily found no amusement in it, that is because she was the only child on a plane filled with mostly Ukrainian men, who paid no attention to her little stature, it was every man for himself.  Made me chuckle.

The first night we spent in a simple apartment off of Liberty Square.  Since we managed to sleep through the meal on the plane, we were all starving.  We made the short walk from the apartment to a few little shops.  Those of you who know Jamie at all know that he is a true foodie, while Lily and I were truly overwhelmed by culture shock and were looking for the nearest McDonald's, he stopped at the 1st street vendor he saw and just copied the guy ahead of him.  He had no idea what he was eating, and loved every minute of it.  Yes, Lily and I headed to McDonalds.  It was a safe bet.  Our facilitator was horrified that Jamie ate off the street which then made him nervous all night that he was gonna get sick, good news, he was fine.  Some might consider it funny that I was so cold I slept in my sweat pants, long sleeve shirt and my hat.  I just thought it smart!

The next day brought our next funny.  We were moving from that apartment to Karen Springs apartment. She sent a taxi for us and told us what the taxi number was and for us to be waiting outside at 12:30.  We were waiting, up comes a car that matched the color but as an American, I am looking for the taxi number on the lit taxi light on top.  The driver was obviously looking for his passengers, but he spoke not a work of english and us not a word of Russian.  You can see how that worked out.  Luckily he stopped at the bottom of the hill which gave us a chance to see his license plate which part of it matched the number given.  We still weren't sure, nor was he but in we climbed.  He started in with a full on conversation which by his tone was full of questions which we thought must be asking for the address where we were going, which of course, we had no idea.

This led to the next funny which was me trying desperately to figure out the phone that was given to us.  The numbers were completely worn off and I couldn't find the menu for the life of me.  Finally I hit the right button and up popped the last number to call us.  I called it and was hugely relieved when an American voice came on the other end, she was able to verify we were the right passengers and he was the right driver.  However, the driving with one hand, managing 2 separate phones and a map with the other through some of the most congested traffic I have ever seen was a bit over the top.  Of course it can't be the end of it, he pulls up the wrong side of the building and we had an obnoxious amount of luggage, streets covered (and I do mean covered) in dirty, mushy snow.  We made it around the building and were hugely relieved to run into another American family who were already at Karen's.  What a fresh breeze it is to hear English in a sea of Russian.

Once in the apartment, we decided to tag along as the other family headed back to pick up their referral letter.  It was not a short walk through the city to a tram ride up a very steep hill, only to turn around and head back on our own.  Once again, starving we decided this time to go with pizza.  Yip, Domino's is in Ukraine too.  Lily was thrilled!  Of course we timed it just as school had gotten out and the place was filled with teenagers who were gathering and many doing their homework.  Not a table in sight.  The only way to order was by pointing and hand gestures.  We ended up with two very large pizzas.  One for now and one for later I suppose.  I will say it was the hottest pizza I have ever had and some of the gooiest cheese ever.  We didn't dare take it to go because it would have been frozen by the time we got home, seriously!

Day 2 is appointment or selection day.  Not a lot funny about the process,  but the day started out a bit funny.  Our first trip on the metro, or subway.  Some of you know the Degnan adventure on the New York subway, today was near replay. It is difficult and heart-wrenching process, selecting a child from a book of dated photos and basic statistics.  You are presented with books, each book covers a birth year.  The first book was all 6 year olds, then 7 year olds, followed by 8 and then 9.  It wasn't until 9 that we saw a couple of little girls that didn't have significant disabilities.  There were three, two stood out as possibilities.  The first was three days older than Lily and the second, 5 months younger.  Some might say both had issues, one minor health and possibly delayed learning.  The second lives in a happy foster home and could likely reject us.  Where did we end up?  Well, we were interested in meeting either of the girls but after much debate and finding out that we could get another appointment as early as Monday and couldn't even travel to meet either girl until most likely Monday we chose to get our second appointment.  So on Monday we will go back, hopefully be shown new children and still consider the other two.  We are hoping more information will clarify things for us.  At the very least, we haven't lost much in time, maybe a day.

Once back at the apartment we decided it was time to venture out, truly on our own.  We headed to the market.   Just steps out the door, we were talking when a young man turned to us in shock and said, "I know that sound."  Ah, another English encounter.  It actually catches you off guard when you hear it because most times you visually can't pick up on it.  He just moved here, yes moved, for work.  He is working with the Ukrainian equivalent of the CDC studying disease in Ukraine.  He is here on a contract and will likely be here for several years.  He was very eager to share and talk, as were we.  It is striking how much friendlier we Americans are when we are out of our safe little American bubble.  Here, they are all like long lost friends.

Oh the market, what an amazing place that is.  Fun really, a lovely adventure to a foodie and his wife.  By American standards, it is very small but really everything you need is right there, you just have to figure it out.  Like water with gas vs no guess.  Or milk vs buttermilk.  We were batting 500 when we managed to the the milk right and the water wrong.  Which forced trip number 2 to the market.  I was desperate for real water.  We can't wait to go back tomorrow.

So now we are settled in for the evening, had a nice dinner each of us messing around with our different forms of technology.  Lily with my phone, Jamie the iPad and me with the laptop.  Enjoying a little family quiet time.

As for an update on Lily, wow what a trooper.  She has walked, waited, walked some more and waited.  One good wipe out on our way to the market the second time and not a single tear shed.  She has worked on homework, emailed her teacher played games and become fast friends with our translator.  She helps give us perspective and a distraction when needed.  She has had wonderful things to add and completely appropriate.  We have drug her on every type of transportation, pushed her through jet lag and taken her from one unfamiliar place to the next.  Not a complaint or whine out of her.

Now about the cold...cold doesn't really do it justice.  Take the coldest you have ever been and magnify it by 100, now you are getting close.  Truly bone chilling cold, hence the sleeping in my hat.  I think we are adapting a bit, not much but a bit.  These are some of the most amazingly tough people I have ever encountered.  Many work in outdoor markets, wow.  They have been gracious, kind and hospitable.  We have never been uneasy or nervous, however we do limit our outing to daylight hours.

Guess I have rattled on long enough.  We appreciate all the words of encouragement and prays, we feel them with us every step of the way.  We love you all and are anxious to get things going but know that it is all in Gods time.  Keeping our hands wide open.

Oh yes, I now fully know what culture shock is!  I got it!