In Berdyansk

October 15, 2006 We arrived in Berdyansk at about 10 AM. We can't believe we are so close to the boys! We won't be able to see them until tomorrow because we have to see the Inspector\Social Worker\Lawyer. It's a real taese being this close. We may go check out the orphanage and maybe we'll see them!

We took the train from Kiev to Mariupol and then took a car to Berdyansk. The train was different from any train I rode in the US. The room had two bench seats and two bunks up above. There were rolled up mattresses and pillows and we rented bed linens and towels. The real kicker was the restroom. The toilet dumps right on the track and you are not supposed to use it while stopped at the station. Because the train bounces all over the place, it appears that most folks have a hard time hitting the stool - in other words the floor is always wet and stinks!! You have to hold onto the bars on the window to maintain your balance.

The car to Berdyansk was a real introduction to Ukrainian driving. To pass you get right behind the car in front of you and that person moves to the edge of the road and then you zip around him - if a car or bus is coming in the other direction then they also move to the edge. Then you floor the peddle and see how fast you can go. We road in an old VW rabbit that didn't quite have enough room for our luggage and the facilitator. So we had to pack luggage in the back seat with Kathie and I. It was an intimate ride. If we were gonna die, we were going together for sure!! Speed limit signs are mere suggestions and this guy was going double + the limit. It took less than an hour to go the 62 miles and that included stopping to get directions to the hotel.
The Hotel is fairly nice. We are on the 11th floor and have a stunning view of the sea of Azov. It is a sunny day and the bay that Berdyansk is on is beautiful!. The Bruces are right next door and it is a blessing to have them so close!

We can only praise God that we made it this far and are this close to meeting with the boys!