In Berdyansk

We arrived yesterday. I am missing the last post from Kyiv - can't figure out how to copy and past into blogger with this computer. So I'll post it later.

It seems like we have been here a week! We wnt to a lot of diffeent places yesterday. We started by taking two cabs to some administrative office after we dumped our bags at our new apartment - more on the apartment later! The boys took off toward the hotel and we went to the court building to meet with the inspector. We got in after a short wait and the two ladies were the same ones we had last time. They agreed to go to the orphanage with us in about an hour. So we took off by the hotel to get some food! We bought these pastry sandwiches - Kath got one with potatoes corn and peas and I got one with meat - not sure what kind but there weren't any dogs around (sorry shak)! The boys showed up and we wen't and got two taxis. We all went to the orphanage - Inspectors and all.

As soon as we arrived, it went nuts! Everyone noticed Elliott and Nicky and started yelling and talking. It was old home week. Galea Anitoliva ( the director) was in tears! It took a godd half hour or more to get the show on the road and meet Sasha. We finally got the business done. The inspectors would not sign off immediately but said we could pick up the paper on Monday. I thing they were unhappy that they weren't the main show! Galena said that we could pick up Sasha both Saturday and Sunday.

Oles, Kathie and I went to a Notary to get some petitions done. I fell asleed in the waiting room and Kath kept waking me up cause I was snoring rather loudly. Then we went to the hotel to get some supper - I was famished. Then back to the orphanage to watch Elliott play soccer.

About 7 PM we walked back to the appartment - Tyler, Nicky, Kathie and I. We took the same path back that we did when we were here the last time - about a mile or so. I took a shower and fell asleep.

The apartment! What can I say? It is very old. The front door is at the back and it is an 8 plex. We are on the second floor in the front and have three rooms, a kitchen and bath. The size is nice - the beds are not comfortable - but if you are tired enough - you can sleep! As you enter from the back you can smell sewage - evidently a pipe is brken in the crawl space - you have to hold your breath. Also as you walk around the side - there are openings to the crawl space and they stink also. The price is good and it is withing walking distance to the orphanage which is important to Kathie and I. We are looking at other places but we are not sure we are going to move. We might be able to get wireless at another apartment but I found this place I am at now thet is on the main shopping street and has free internet and cheap piva. I'll have to consider that!!! A post of this size is a two piva deal!!!

We picked up Cody this morning - we were supposed to be there at 9 but we got up at 8 and it took us till 9:15 to walk there. It is an absolutely beautiful day out - about 73 sunny and a breeze. We went to Galena's office and asked for Cody. She got him and had him fill out a petition we all had to sign saying he would be back by 7 PM. We walked back to the apartment - got Ty and Nick and headed out for lunch. Between Nick and Cody we had no trouble ordering from Russian Menu.

We walked up to the Azov Sea - Some folks were swimming. Ty took off his shoes and waded - he said it wasn't too bad. Afterward, the boys went off one way and Kath and I went to shop for a camera - I left the last one in a cab in Kyiv on the way to the SDA. Then I walked Kath back to the apartment for a nap - I went to look for Wi-Fi and I found it!!!