The LONGEST day
The three-part plane trip was long, about 18 hours with layovers. Flying into the Ukraine the countryside was flat and appeared to be mostly small towns with lots of farms. The airport itself was smaller than I thought it would be and certainly had a Eastern European feel. After making it through Customs, we were greeted by a large Ukrainian man in a leather jacket named Sergei and a smiling lady named Galena. They held a sign with our name on it, but I think they could tell we were the Americans. We were a little out of place wearing clothes that were anything but black and gray. There was also a gal standing with them, although I have forgotten her name, who was there to pick up the hockey skates and hockey gloves that our son-in-law had sent over for a friend of his. I am sure we were a sight as we were searching our bags for those items, as they were not altogether. I wish we would have got a picture of that.
Sergei packed our bags into his small vehicle and Ann, Galena, and I piled into the back seat while Sergei and three of our bags were in front. Sergei unloaded a magnetic taxi light from his trunk and slapped it on the roof and we were off. Driving here is a competitive sport and Sergei is a world champion. Cars are parked everywhere and traffic lanes are optional. We stopped to exchange some money and he stopped in the outside lane of traffic as cars whizzed around us. We then stopped at a grocery store, although you never would have guessed it, and Ann and Galena ran in and bought a few groceries. Sergei and I stayed in the car, now parked halfway on the sidewalk, parking stalls are optional as well.
We drove through some of Kiev, there were a lot of large dilapidated apartment complexes with a patchwork of wood and glass covered balconies. We arrived at a newer looking complex that had a gate across it. Soon we were in and headed to the seventh floor in the smallest and squeakiest elevator I have ever been in. The apartment is very nice inside and appears fairly new. We are very tired, we should sleep very well. We got a call from Natasha about our appointment with the SDA tomorrow. Galena will take us to that appt. All should be well.
The three-part plane trip was long, about 18 hours with layovers. Flying into the Ukraine the countryside was flat and appeared to be mostly small towns with lots of farms. The airport itself was smaller than I thought it would be and certainly had a Eastern European feel. After making it through Customs, we were greeted by a large Ukrainian man in a leather jacket named Sergei and a smiling lady named Galena. They held a sign with our name on it, but I think they could tell we were the Americans. We were a little out of place wearing clothes that were anything but black and gray. There was also a gal standing with them, although I have forgotten her name, who was there to pick up the hockey skates and hockey gloves that our son-in-law had sent over for a friend of his. I am sure we were a sight as we were searching our bags for those items, as they were not altogether. I wish we would have got a picture of that.
Sergei packed our bags into his small vehicle and Ann, Galena, and I piled into the back seat while Sergei and three of our bags were in front. Sergei unloaded a magnetic taxi light from his trunk and slapped it on the roof and we were off. Driving here is a competitive sport and Sergei is a world champion. Cars are parked everywhere and traffic lanes are optional. We stopped to exchange some money and he stopped in the outside lane of traffic as cars whizzed around us. We then stopped at a grocery store, although you never would have guessed it, and Ann and Galena ran in and bought a few groceries. Sergei and I stayed in the car, now parked halfway on the sidewalk, parking stalls are optional as well.
We drove through some of Kiev, there were a lot of large dilapidated apartment complexes with a patchwork of wood and glass covered balconies. We arrived at a newer looking complex that had a gate across it. Soon we were in and headed to the seventh floor in the smallest and squeakiest elevator I have ever been in. The apartment is very nice inside and appears fairly new. We are very tired, we should sleep very well. We got a call from Natasha about our appointment with the SDA tomorrow. Galena will take us to that appt. All should be well.
10 comments:
The apartment doesn't look too bad. Don't you have to leave it though in a couple of days?
i know that post just said by ann, but it's because i created the post for you. Anyway, this is corissa really.
Awesome!! So many great pictures and memories of my past apartments, although yours looks much nicer than any of mine ever where. Hope everything is going well.
You made it! All in one piece. I'm sure your appt is over by now, can hrdly wait for you to get to Poltava! Our kids did great in Primary Program yesterday. They knew their parts and sang every word. And they've been married one year today!
what a journey. does not look like that bad of a place.
Ann looks surprisingly alert on that plane, had the meds not kicked in yet?
I'm watching this blog like a soap opera! I'm so excited for you guys! Good luck with all!
Looks like your fitting right in.
i was thrilled to see an update on here. what an adventure you are having. such culture shock i'm sure! that does look like a nice apartment. keep us updated. we love you!
Love the humor you use in your blog. We're glad you are safe in Ukraine. Thanks for updating us. By the looks of it all, many people are eyeing your progress. God bless you.
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