Barber Shop Duet

The guys after the haircuts

Ahhhhhhhhhh.......

Does she understand what a "2" on the sides mean?

Off with those locks

Ruslan getting his hair cut

Day Seven of the waiting game. Today was an interesting day. We ventured out to the orphanage with the Evensons and Natasha. Tonya and Tamila were meeting their brother there to say their final good-byes. We were waiting in the foyer when Oleg appeared. We hosted Oleg two years ago. Man, how he had grown. He was quite tall and still very handsome. He had to be coaxed over but I insisted by motioning to him. He shook my hand and Ann gave him a hug. We asked him how he was doing and he answered "good" but there little more than that by way of conversation. There was a sadness in his eyes that both Ann and I noticed. He kept looking down. The meeting actually only lasted maybe a minute and he was gone. We were unable to get his picture, but we will visit again this weekend and will be allowed to take pictures of Ruslan's class so maybe we will get the chance to see him again.

Natasha had promised Ruslan's supervisor that she would see he got a haircut since he apparently missed the opportunity being with us so much. We headed into town and stopped for a quick bite to eat at Botanicas, a small cafe that is very nice. Natasha then took us to a very nice salon where Ruslan and I had our hair cut and shampooed! I might say, one of the best haircuts I have ever had. Ruslan went first and Ann made sure to document the event with pictures. Then it was mine turn and Ruslan made sure my haircut would be remembered as well, as he snapped several pictures. By the time we finished it was time for a little shopping and dinner. We tried to find Ruslan another shirt but were unsuccessful. We stopped back at Botanicas for dinner and then drove to a look-out point where there is a beautiful church and stunning monument that overlooked the city. The monument is called the "White Rotunda," white pillars in the form of a horseshoe for good luck. They light the monument at night and play music and the lighting changes colors. There is a saying that loosely translated means "In the house where there is harmony, peace, and quietness, people are blessed." The monument is really spectacular. It is actually not far from the orphanage. On the way back to the taxi, Natasha told us that Poltava is known for its potatoes. Apparently it is quite famous, since there is actually a dumpling monument very close to the look-out point. We couldn't resist taking a photo, how often do you get to sit by a giant spoon and a giant bowl full of dumplings? We all had a good laugh. We thought we were at Disneyland at "Honey I shrunk the kids" for a minute. We dropped off Ruslan at the orphanage and headed to the apartment. It was a fun and interesting day, one we won't soon forget.