Going to Market

The last two days provided lots of time for the three of us to just hang out at our hotel, courtesy of the rain (mostly light drizzle with occasional downpours).  We went back to the internat (orphanage) on Tuesday for some additional signatures and several stamps by one of the regional officials.  Katya seemed to really enjoy being back.  She was proud to show one of her friends her new coat, and she liked showing us around the facility some more.  We took lots of photographs including one with some recent artwork by some of the kids – I wish I had taken closer images because their ability to create art from a banana pepper or a turnip is hard to beat.  One of my favorite pictures was the one of Katya with Olga, the internat director, as we were getting ready to leave.  The smiles on their faces show this is an amazing process from both of their perspectives.

Because the weather hasn’t been good enough to warrant really long walks, we spent most our outdoor time visiting the market.  There is a well-stocked, but small, grocery store about a block from our hotel.  There you can find an amazing array of juices (cherry, pineapple, red grape, white grape, apple, etc.), cheese, bread, and milk.  Katya also chose sunflower seeds (she loves them and has them in her pockets all the time), candy (no chocolate, but a little bit of almost everything else), and sparkling water.  This last one was a surprise to us.  She never seemed interested in trying our sparkling water while she was in Colorado, but here she says that she loves water with bubbles.  She even made the connection between the word “bubbles” from bubble bath and the bubbles in the water.  We were so proud of her for remembering! 

On Wednesday, we ventured out a bit further to the closest mall to buy Katya some new shoes.  Her sneakers are mesh and really designed more for summer.  They get drenched easily and there are lots of puddles.  Katya was very specific about wanting boots that were black and knee height – she is extremely selective about shoes.  She and I spent many hours last summer being frustrated with each other in shoe stores up and down the Front Range.  Luckily we found one pair of black boots that she liked in the only children’s shoe store in the mall. They may or may not be in style in the US, but for the next few weeks, she will fit right in with the fashion of Ukraine!

We were also excited to learn that our court date has been set for next Tuesday, October 26, at 11am.  We can’t wait!

Katya and Olga, the internat director

At the internat, showing off the artwork

Snack of cheese and juice from the local market

Games at the children's store in the mall - recognize the Twister

New boots so that Katya's feet will stay dry

Katya and Stephanie - all smiles at dinner