Saturday
Started the day back at the apartment with a quick breakfast of egg sandwiches and fresh fruit. Angella surprised me with a Mother’s Day card. It’s in Russian so I need to have Galya translate it for me, but the look on her face said everything. Len confirmed that it was her idea – he had nothing to do with it – well, except to provide the grivna ($). I was very touched. She is a sensitive child. I don’t know which of us was happier….. The new mother, or the one who now has a mom…
Took a long ride to the countryside and hiked to the top of one of the Crimean mountains… home to a 15th Century settlement that the Tatars inhabited for 500 years. We had taken an assortment of sundries with us and enjoyed the most magnificent picnic ever……. There was a monastery there as well – built into the side of the mountain. Amazing…….
Sunday
We heard about the record snow in Columbus and Cincinnati. Sorry we aren’t there to enjoy it but it was a gorgeous day here! 60 and sunny! We headed to the market to get Angella a Russian doll. (wooden dolls beautifully painted – 5 encapsulated in descending sizes) We came back to the apartment for our ritualistic snack: cookies and cappuccino. Angella showed off her dancing skills. She started out gracefully performing ballet to the ethereal sounds of Enya. Followed by an encore performance of improvisational modern dance to some hip modern tunes we brought from home! She is quite the dancer!!! Dropped her off at the Desky Dom at 5pm. Wendy and Chad invited us, along with Galya, Kostia and Olga to their apartment for Chad’s Gumbo. It was delish! and a wonderful night out!
Started the day back at the apartment with a quick breakfast of egg sandwiches and fresh fruit. Angella surprised me with a Mother’s Day card. It’s in Russian so I need to have Galya translate it for me, but the look on her face said everything. Len confirmed that it was her idea – he had nothing to do with it – well, except to provide the grivna ($). I was very touched. She is a sensitive child. I don’t know which of us was happier….. The new mother, or the one who now has a mom…
Took a long ride to the countryside and hiked to the top of one of the Crimean mountains… home to a 15th Century settlement that the Tatars inhabited for 500 years. We had taken an assortment of sundries with us and enjoyed the most magnificent picnic ever……. There was a monastery there as well – built into the side of the mountain. Amazing…….
Sunday
We heard about the record snow in Columbus and Cincinnati. Sorry we aren’t there to enjoy it but it was a gorgeous day here! 60 and sunny! We headed to the market to get Angella a Russian doll. (wooden dolls beautifully painted – 5 encapsulated in descending sizes) We came back to the apartment for our ritualistic snack: cookies and cappuccino. Angella showed off her dancing skills. She started out gracefully performing ballet to the ethereal sounds of Enya. Followed by an encore performance of improvisational modern dance to some hip modern tunes we brought from home! She is quite the dancer!!! Dropped her off at the Desky Dom at 5pm. Wendy and Chad invited us, along with Galya, Kostia and Olga to their apartment for Chad’s Gumbo. It was delish! and a wonderful night out!
Monday
Decided to spoil ourselves and went to McD’s for lunch. Took a long walk in search of a gallery featuring the work of local artists. The building was closed either for renovation or Women’s Day. We’re hoping to visit again tomorrow. I went off on my own. I want to surprise her with a few DVD’s that we can watch with her in Russian once we get home. I met back up with the two of them at the market in search of a pair of earrings. Finally we found a pair we could all agree on. No dangles and no “faux” diamonds….. Simple, small blue crystal studs. It’s amazing how the culture and the “bling bling” captivates the children. It’s insidious. We came back to the apartment so Angella could finish the scarf she’s making for Mama Nikolya. Had cream of potato and corn chowder for dinner and ice cream for dessert.
Our last 4-6 visit tomorrow and then she’s ours!
Decided to spoil ourselves and went to McD’s for lunch. Took a long walk in search of a gallery featuring the work of local artists. The building was closed either for renovation or Women’s Day. We’re hoping to visit again tomorrow. I went off on my own. I want to surprise her with a few DVD’s that we can watch with her in Russian once we get home. I met back up with the two of them at the market in search of a pair of earrings. Finally we found a pair we could all agree on. No dangles and no “faux” diamonds….. Simple, small blue crystal studs. It’s amazing how the culture and the “bling bling” captivates the children. It’s insidious. We came back to the apartment so Angella could finish the scarf she’s making for Mama Nikolya. Had cream of potato and corn chowder for dinner and ice cream for dessert.
Our last 4-6 visit tomorrow and then she’s ours!
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Congratulations! Share your final travel plans and times with us when you confirm. Can't wait!
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